Janella Salvador: A Star Shining In Her Own Terms

By Mark Ghosn
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April 8, 2024

The thought of being destined for stardom can create a spark that leads to fulfilling that very destiny. This realization might manifest an innate desire of self-expression in a particular field or through exposure to an environment akin to a supernova. It could even parallel a close encounter with it, where the collision of stars illuminates its brilliance. Dare I say, Janella Salvador could just be it. At times, people may not actively pursue a career path. Still, when opportunity knocks, it becomes difficult to resist, enabling it to flow seamlessly into their lives like a river through the Milky Way. Perhaps, in Janella’s case, her birth was a bright burst of light, with her talent shining and making a big impact. From initially pursuing singing to venturing into acting, a star was born.

Janella’s roots have always been intertwined with singing, from performing in front of her nursery class to accompanying her mother, Jenine Desiderio, a theater actress, to various engagements during childhood. It was only a matter of time before the world would see her light; when it did, it couldn’t look away. With her natural charm and talent, she caught the attention of many. She joined a youthful group called ‘Star Magic Glee’ under Star Magic’s wing, seizing further opportunities as they arose, much like the gradual onset of dawn spreading light for everyone to see. A theater enthusiast, Janella sees singing and acting as her dual passions. Her acting journey began with ‘Be Careful with My Heart,’ followed by opportunities like joining ASAP’s ‘IT Girls’ with Kathryn Bernardo, Julia Barretto, and Liza Soberano. After achieving rising success, Janella led her show, ‘Oh My G!’, and appeared in several films and series. Now, she’s set to star alongside international star Win Metawin in ‘Under Parallel Skies’, premiering in the Philippines on April 17.

As she marks a decade in the industry, Janella’s journey has been a rollercoaster of triumphs and tribulations. Though her star seemed to dance across the Milky Way, her radiance has never dimmed, shining brightly like a distant constellation in the night.

A STAR CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO GALAXIES

As they say, time is the ultimate truth-teller. However, just like the seasons, it differs occasionally, much like how it can be night in a country while it’s day in other parts of the world. For her, it felt like her age was caught between two galaxies. The timing of her career breakthrough and rise to stardom has immensely influenced her understanding of what is right for her and her contemplating whether she is truly sure about her path. At a young age, entering stardom may feel like bypassing their teenage years due to the constraints imposed by popularity. Once a normal girl freely navigating life on the streets and elsewhere, she found herself caught up in a celestial cycle that requires averted vision to see a clearer picture, feeling crowded and unable to see everything clearly and as it truly is.

“Since I was 14, I think I was mostly unsure. Feeling ko ‘yan yung nafifeel ko noon. Medyo awkward stage, magdadalaga pa lang ako noon. I was unsure of what is happening around me, it was like a big transition in my life from a regular student to suddenly biglang umaarte na ako sa TV, like I didn’t know what was going on, and I was learning so much. Ang daming nagbago sa buhay ko when I was 14. I couldn’t go to certain places anymore without being stopped, although I appreciate it but sobrang nagbago talaga nagugulat ako na may lumalapit sa akin”, Janella shared with Zeen.

Considering the profound impact of the pre and post-pandemic, it can also be paramount to what she’s feeling in her 20s. From significant transitions reminiscent of movements to the need to stay grounded in what she can control, Janella’s experiences have been instrumental in shaping the person she is today, much like celestial bodies navigating their paths through the cosmos.

“We had to somehow adapt, so I feel like that’s where I am at. I am learning so much and I’m also unlearning so much of what was taught to me. Feeling ko my batchmates can relate to this, parang minsan hindi namin alam saan kami lulugar. Parang sino ba yung kasama namin ‘yung older people or should we hangout with the younger generation”, she added.

The opportunity to explore has given Janella the freedom to climb into a new era slowly. Initially comfortable with the familiar landscape of ASAP, she adapted to its previous dynamics. However, upon returning, she confronted a significant shift, realizing that the environment had evolved beyond her comfort level. Interacting with younger individuals has allowed her to glean fresh perspectives, lighting up her radiance even further.

“Narealize ko bakit parang I feel like an outcast, parang wala akong makausap dito? Parang I can’t relate to anyone because if you notice now yung perfomers are mga batch nila Kyle, AC, sina Francine. I love them though– I love the kids, but like I felt like an outcast na parang ‘Oh My Gosh!’ like hindi ako makarelate sa mga nangyayari ngayon. Pero at the same time there’s like also a group of older people who are all together rin na– hindi ko rin naman sila; I mean I love talking to them, I love learning from them pero saan ako lulugar? So doon ko narealize ang awkward din pala talaga ng timing namin, and I guess I just gotta make the most of what I learned from the older generation and try to adapt as much as I can to this generation”, the IT girl explained.

Circling around it, surrounded by stars of different sizes, Janella realized that no matter her brightness, she still needed to adapt to avoid clashing with other stars. This sparked a realization of the importance of embracing openness over maintaining the persona of the past, as it distances one from the untouchable aura. It’s a recognition that artists like Janella are ordinary individuals with their own lives and experiences.

“Siguro ang mga natutunan ko, before kasi the truth is, in the previous era mas nagwowork kapag mysterious ka so okay lang kahit hindi ka masiyado magpost. Mamimiss ka nila and you can just live your life… I was fine. I was doing fine by just doing that before tapos narealize ko na parang hindi na pala pwede ‘yun ngayon. People are looking for visibility since there’s social media right now, people are constantly looking for– parang you have to stay relevant somehow like on social media”, she shared.

As she navigates the complexities of today’s era, maintaining visibility and sharing one’s life poses significant challenges. Nonetheless, Janella shows the importance of openness and vulnerability in fostering authenticity and remaining true to her identity. Despite societal pressures for women to conform to certain standards, Janella remains resolute in her individuality, persistently exploring and asserting her voice while staying grounded.

A SPACE TO EXPLORE

When a star becomes lost, it can only be found by traveling to the center of its own light. In Mandy Moore’s song ‘Only Hope,’ a song Janella used to sing in her youth, there’s a passage that resonates with her journey over the past decade of her career:

Sing to me the song of the stars

Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again

When it feels like my dreams are so far

Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

Janella’s experience of feeling adrift in the cosmos, while inevitably normal, underscores the journey towards the light, which is a meeting point of self-taught lessons amidst experiencing a dense mass of nothingness – not even a glimmer of light – as it threatens to swallow and place you in a black hole. These may have shaped her journey in the limelight, but it’s important to recognize that her star will continue to radiate even amidst darkness, never fading away.

“How do I still translate to this generation by not changing myself totally? So binalikan ko rin yung roots ko. What are the things that I love? I love to sing, I love to perform, I love jazz music, I love oldies, so I said– I’ve loved oldies ever since teenager pa lang, yun talaga yung pinapakinggan ko. So, sabi ko, why don’t I release music that’s true to what I really like, and at the same time, I’ll be able to let people know who I really am by sharing the things that I like. Doon ako nag decide na okay this is the path I want to go, and I started”.

Her roots are a guiding light, blazing her path and revealing her true direction. Despite occasional frustrations with her passions, the heart always speaks truthfully; it cannot be ignored or left behind. Following the heart’s desires is not just self-discovery but also a journey of healing, reclaiming what once sought to create its own path, even amid conflicting influences.

A STAR SHINING IN HER OWN TERMS

When you’ve been in the eyes of the stargazers for a decade, you learn to protect your light and shine by your own rules. Recently, Janella was embroiled in controversy for her steadfast boundary-setting and affirmation of her right to decline. This resonated with many Filipinos, who often perceive refusal as impolite. Mentioning her voice could have been more optimal, and she chose not to commit to the hosts’ requests, which was a valid decision. It’s puzzling how social media’s response could have done better for Janella. Perhaps she said it in the heat of the moment, intending it as a joke, but it failed to convey as she wished. Nevertheless, is it truly such a cosmic event?

In the glitzy entertainment world, an introverted woman navigates her way, often misunderstood by many. Her energy reflects the depth of the sky, shaped by the experiences gained during her decade-long journey in showbiz. Celebrated as a shining star, she takes on a reimagined journey, confidently and passionately expressing her love for music and her cherished son, much like the unique elements that make up her personal universe.

“My biggest battle would be yung confidence and security like you’re secure with yourself kasi I was put in the industry at a young age. I was prone to all this comparison, parang people really love to pit you against each other lalo na before, actually mas worse pa nga before kasi parang you are taught na it’s a competition, and you have to be the best and like yeah, parang it kind of eats you up like if you have a lot of insecurities”.

Despite the industry’s tough reputation, if there are legitimate reasons for its merits, why settle for something that engenders individual turmoil? While it’s essential to acknowledge the perspectives of older generations, we must also avoid romanticizing them like distant constellations, which, in any case, are not her fault at all. Like many artists before her, Janella’s story highlights the industry’s complexities. For young artists like her, navigating these challenges can be a journey of self-discovery. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that not every artist follows the same path, just as not every star shines equally in the universe.

“So parang nung young era na ‘yun, I was learning to discover myself pa lang. Hindi ko pa alam kung sure na gusto ko talaga. Tapos sasabihin nila ‘Uy dapat ganito ka, dapat maging ganyan ka’, like there’s a standard. I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to own who I really am, to love myself and that came from experience din experimenting on what I love, the things that I don’t want to happen anymore. The things I cannot tolerate”.

Janella’s journey may have diverged from her past self; she now stands more resolute in her convictions. Once beholden to the expectations of others, she was shaped by the environment in which she grew up. However, as the stars in the night sky remain constant, so are the people who truly love her for who she is.

Janella Salvador: A Star Shining In Her Own Terms

A STAR CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO GALAXIES

A SPACE TO EXPLORE

A STAR SHINING IN HER OWN TERMS

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