Donna Cruz marks music comeback with a new album

Maureen Marie Belmonte

<div><img src='' alt='031316-donna_main.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>After 17 years, the original Multimedia Star Donna Cruz is officially back in the recording industry with a new studio album titled Now and Forever.</div><div><br/></div><div>The “<i>Kapag Tumibok and Puso</i>” singer was a picture of joy and excitement during her album’s grand press launch, which was attended by her album producer Edwin Marollano, iconic composer Vehnee Saturno, and Star Music’s Audio and Content head Jonathan Manalo.</div><div> </div><div>Now and Forever is Donna’s eighth studio which came after her 1999 album <i>Hulog ng Langit.</i></div><div><br/></div><div>With the former box office star, host, and endorser’s return came speculations that she is returning to showbiz for good. Donna, for her part, was quick to clarify that she would like to focus on her music for the time being.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Sa ngayon itong album lang muna… so bumabalik ako sa bagay na talagang gusto kong gawin and ‘yun ang</i> singing. I<i>to talaga ang</i> first lov<i>e ko. Ito talaga ang passion ko at naiintindihan iyon ng asawa ko. Sa ngayon, singing talaga</i>,” she explained adding that she could not really go full time as of the moment since her family composed of her husband Yong Larrazabal and her children Belle, Cian, and Gio are all based in Cebu.</div><div><br/></div><div>Donna was very honest in revealing that she did ask for her husband’s permission first before getting on this musical comeback. </div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Opo. Lahat pinaguusapan namin kasi ang pagde-desisyon ko, kahit sa kanya, talagang pinaguusapan namin,</i>” she said.</div><div><br/></div><div>If anything, Donna says she did not have a hard time convincing her husband to allow her to return to her “true passion.”</div><div><br/></div><div>“You know <i>sobrang</i> blessed <i>ako sa</i> part <i>na ‘yan siguro</i> <i>kasi </i>for every<i> trabaho</i> or offer <i>na darating sa akin pinagdadasal ko eh, kumbaga kung para sa akin, para sakin. Ito ang galing ng timing nung makatanggap ako mula sa</i> Star Music<i> ng</i> offer <i>na makagawa ng</i> album. N<i>ung tinanong ko ang asawa ko ang bilis lang, siya pa ang</i> nag-co-produce!” she shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>According to Star Music, Donna’s name came up on the list while they were checking name of “legacy artists” who have made a dent in the music scene in the past.</div><div><br/></div><div>“Last time<i> di ba </i>we had Lani Misalucha so <i>ayun nga nagkaroon ng</i> comeback projects <i>si</i> Lani Misalucha. So <i>kami nagisip kung sino paba ang hinog na</i> for a comeback. So i Donna undeniable eh, hindi talaga namin <i>maitatanggi</i>,” Jonathan said. “M<i>aski nung tinanong namin ang mga </i>younger artist<i>s ngayon gaya ni </i>Toni [Gonzaga] at <i>ni</i> Angeline [Quinto], l<i>ahat sila </i>idol <i>si</i> Donna Cruz. So<i> parang sa amin, </i>‘Why not?’ So nag-send n<i>a kami ng </i>invite <i>kay S</i>hirley (Kuan, Donna’s manager)<i> tapos na</i>-excite si Donna n<i>ung nalaman niya.</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>Another crucial factor for Donna’s comeback was her viral version of the much-covered Frozen theme song “Let It Go” some two years back.</div><div><br/></div><div>Now that she’s returning in an industry where many stars have come and gone in almost two decades, does she feel threatened that she won’t be as well-received as she used to?</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Hindi. Alam niyo sa akin kasi hindi naman ako nagbabalik para makipag-</i>compete. I love to sing. <i>Siyempre</i> thankful at<i> sobrang </i>happy <i>ako na maganda ‘yun</i>g feedback and ‘<i>yung kinalabasan nung </i>first day ng release <i>pero ‘yung para sabihin na</i> ‘<i>Ay gusto ko ng ganito ganyan,’ hindi na,</i>” she pointed out.</div><div><br/></div><div>Donna stressed that she is just very grateful to be given the chance to sing again.</div><div><br/></div><div><i>“Kontentong tao kasi ako eh</i>. Happy <i>ako do’n basta nagawa ko ang </i>love<i> kong gawin at kasama ko ang mga mahal ko sa buhay, happy nako do’n</i>.”</div><div><br/></div><div>Catch Donna’s <i>Now and Forever</i> grand album launch at Star Mall, Alabang on March 12.</div><div><br/></div>

Donna Cruz denies feeling threatened by younger and newer singers

Donna Cruz marks music comeback with a new album | PUSH.COM.PH