Filipino-American singer-songwriter Celesst Mar is making her official debut with the album Fawn, a personal collection shaped by ocean-inspired imagery and a late-blooming pursuit of music.
Mar, whose real name is Ariana, said she chose her stage name to combine elements of heaven and the sea.
“I love the ocean,” she said during the launch of her album. “‘Celesst’ is short for ‘celestial,’ which can be interpreted as ‘heavenly,’ and ‘mar’ is Spanish for ‘sea.’ I think my name can be interpreted as heavenly sea.”
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mar has a father from the San Francisco Bay Area and a mother from Tarlac. Though she has been passionate about music for years, she only began recording last year.
At 26, she calls herself a “late bloomer,” having pursued degrees in Communication and Political Science at California State University before entering the music industry.
“I never thought I would pursue music professionally,” Mar said. “A lot of people were doubting me… Part of me wanted to work harder just for myself, so I can say I did it. I know this is a lot of work and I’m really proud of it.”
Mar was recently signed by Star Music, the recording arm of ABS-CBN, and “Fawn” was released on Dec. 20 on all streaming platforms.
The album reflects on past relationships. “When you simply want to please the other person, you put their happiness before yours,” Mar said. “I think this album is very relatable. I hope it resonates with a lot of people.”
The lead single, “Your Act,” is upbeat and pop-oriented, while the album as a whole leans more toward R&B. Other tracks include “Siren’s Call,” inspired by her love of the ocean and experiences as a freediver; “Revenge,” which explores anger and resentment; “Games,” about people who manipulate emotions; and “Nonetheless,” a mid-tempo song exploring unrequited feelings. Mar also recorded a version of the Christmas classic “O Holy Night” with a children’s choir in Manila.
Mar cited Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and Patti LaBelle as major influences. “Not every artist writes their own music. I will write all my songs from now on,” she said.
She is considering moving to Manila to better immerse herself in Filipino culture and improve her craft. “Everybody is on their own journey,” Mar said. “There’s always room to improve vocally, always a learning process. I’m still figuring it out, and I’m very critical of myself.”
Through Fawn, Mar aims to connect with listeners on an emotional level, sharing stories of struggle, growth, and self-discovery.
