Back in November 2009, Filipino viewers were glued to TV screens watching boxing legend Manny Pacquiao slugged it out with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto where for probably the last time, the Pacman won by knockout. Among music aficionados, that match was also remembered for the seamless rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” by a trio of promising pop stars collectively called La Diva. The girl group, however, disbanded six years later.
One of the members, Maricris Garcia, who perhaps is the quietest in terms of public exposure since the breakup, is now getting back into the mainstream with her first major solo concert set in September at Teatrino, Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City. Though the still-untitled concert is primarily being inked to celebrate her 10th year since winning GMA-7’s Pinoy Pop Superstar, the idea of a reunion with her former mates Jonalyn Viray (now known as Jona) and Aicelle Santos comes across her mind every now and then.
“Gusto ko talaga mabuo kami even for a show lang,” she said during a recent presscon where she shared spotlight with other GMA Artist Center talents, namely, Rita Daniela, Nar Cabico, JBK, and T.O.P.
While she kept it low-profile in the past few years where marriage and life got in the way, Maricris has returned as the voice behind a song for the romance-comedy series The One That Got Away, fittingly titled “I Know You're There.” She, as if sending a statement she is still musically updated, also has done her own version of IV of Spades’ "Mundo.”
Elaborating a bit about her upcoming concert, the 30-year old “Divine Princess” stated that it will cover her story from getting her break in that TV contest, to singing TV series theme songs, including the hit piece “Mahal Kita” for Marimar, and into becoming one of La Diva members.
Talking about her former mates’ individual successes, she noted, “Masaya ako for them kasi nagsimula kami magkakasama and alam namin ang struggles namin together. Ngayon na-achieve na nila yun.”
Maricris, who is now Mrs. Cruz after tying the knot with a non-showbiz entrepreneur dealing with taxi business, is releasing a new single in time for her self-produced concert. She revealed that Nar let her hear something she thinks might work. “I want to try something new and wala na munang birit,” she insisted.
It gives her satisfaction that musically she hasn’t lost her footing and can deliver the goods head-to-head with newer acts. Rita brought a new flavor to the OPM hit ‘‘Hanggang Ngayon’’; Nar has made waves with his self-penned ‘‘Natapos Tayo’’; millennial trio JBK came up with the ballad ‘‘Letting You Go’’; and T.O.P (Top One Project) captured listeners with ‘‘Nasa Dulo.”
Some of Maricris’s Kapuso series theme tracks are “Nang Dahil Sa Iyo” (Mga Mata Ni Anghelita), “Pinakamamahal” (The Borrowed Wife), and “Pangarap” (Legally Blind).
La Diva, whose spilt was initiated by Jona’s dated departure in 2013, is acknowledged as the fourth best-selling female group in the country having sold 20,000 albums.
