Filipino composer Denise Santos joined the roster of critically-acclaimed Filipinos in the world. She received recognition in the 42nd Annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards under the category “Outstanding Music Composition” for her work in the BBC Documentary “Primates.”
It may sound like a cliché, but Denise admitted that she dealt with a lot of frustrations and struggles as an artist. But after several years of perseverance and passion in music writing and composition, her hard work finally paid off.
“Wow! 10 years ko nang ginagawa ‘to. Finally, parang napansin ‘yung trabaho ko,” Denise said in an interview with GMA Pinoy TV’s Global Pinoy Unlimited.
“Kami ng writing partner ko, si Adam (Lukas), we were both just super, super happy, super ecstatic. I can’t really express that feeling,” she added.
For Denise, her opportunity in the US came as a bolt from the blue as she never expected to be pursuing a career in this industry.
“This wasn’t my dream job, for sure. Growing up, I didn’t know na may ganito palang kind of job. All I wanted was to be in music.”
Just like many other Filipinos abroad, Denise started by taking a chance in the US to see what fate has in store for her.
“Hindi ko plinano na tatagal ako dito sa U.S. Nagkataon akong mag-intern for Remote Control Productions which is the studio of Hans Zimmer. He’s one of the biggest song composers here in Hollywood.”
Thankfully, she was offered an assistant job in the company after her internship.
“I decided to just keep going with that. And it’s been seven years. Hindi na ‘ko umuwi.”
Denise knew that competition is tough especially in her career so she strived hard to establish her name by doing her own marketing.
“Kunyari, may gig kami ng banda ko, may dala ako palaging CD, na parang portfolio ko siya and even after I landed my first film, I still kept doing that.”
She also dreams of collaborating with other Filipino artists because she believes that Filipinos are #StrongerTogether.
“I’m very proud of us Filipinos, finally getting attention. So, it’s just like I feel more at home. More Filipinos are coming to the circles and being recognized.”
Denise’s message to the aspiring artists, “Get to know your craft really well. Stay hungry. Always try to get better. Be true to yourself. Be patient. Don’t seek after the recognition. Seek for work and seek to be better.”
To watch more inspiring stories like this, subscribe to GMA Pinoy TV. Visit www.gmapinoytv.com/subscribe for more details!