Gabri Panlilio is a new up and coming singer songwriter, she is well traveled and is in the sunset of taking up music in vocal performance at a prestigious school. Gabri has her eyes set on taking the music industry with a unique music background, a flair for pop culture which she hopes transcends in her music and her choices.
She has released music since after the pandemic, experimenting on sound, aesthetics on her music video – and with this, she is learning how to direct her own music videos, what she needs for an arranger to produce her music and really maturing with time. She has released a plethora of songs, which can be found on her Spotify. Release originals and covers as she loves to give her own rendition of her favorites.
Gabri released a song entitled “Calm” last 2024. She writes about a changing world, a panicky voice, full of anxiety about her insecurities. It took her almost 6 months to shoot the music video, because she had wanted something different. The ever so calm vibe of the song mixed with what could possibly be her most bothersome, most disturbing video yet.
“The trigger for creating “Calm” came from my own experiences with anxiety and observing the pressures that many face. I wanted to convey a more personal message, contrasting with my previous work. This song reflects a deeper exploration of my mental health journey and the realization that vulnerability can be a source of strength. As redundant as it may, nobody is alone and we go through all these obstacles.” tell Gabri.
“The song and music video for “Calm” captures the contrast between how we look on the outside and what we feel on the inside. The music has a sweet, wholesome vibe, almost like a Disney tune- while the lyrics explore deeper feelings of anxiety and struggle. The backup vocals represent the illusions and delusions that often play out in our minds, or someone going through mental illness- showing that someone can appear calm while battling inner demons.” as she tells how the ingredients for her song came together for the music video.
Celebrating our own individuality is essential to Gabri, beauty is all about authenticity and self-acceptance. It’s about embracing imperfections and understanding that true beauty comes from within. Nowadays, women face a lot of pressure, including unrealistic beauty standards and the expectation to be perfect in both personal and professional life. Social media amplifies this with constant comparisons, leading to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. This song and music video aims to address these issues.
Issues like depression, mental health breakdowns, eating disorders are things she suffered from when she was younger, it has now been easier for her to share her experience with others. Creating “Calm” taught her the value of vulnerability through art. Learning that art is colorful and dark at the same time. She admits “I’m weird as a person, but I let it reflect on my artistry and it’s pretty cool! That’s what I love about myself.”
“I realized that sharing my struggles can resonate with others and create connections. It reminded me that my experiences, no matter how challenging, can inspire and support those who feel similarly.” quips Gabri.
Back when she would lose opportunities because of how people viewed her, she tells us inscecurely “Due to so much rejection in the past. Due to physical attributes really, such as not being skinny enough or maganda ka, pero ang taba mo always the same banana. Or you are not mestiza enough.” These can be incredibly damaging and often leave deep emotional scars.
She recently had a private viewing of this music video with her family, friends, cast members, the production who did the video and some press at Spritz Studios. It was apparent that the music video struck a nerve and disturbed people from various backgrounds, some visibly shaken up, some teary eyed and some with actual tears. She depicted real issues, for real women and a big sigh and applause came after the disruptive video, it came with a sense of relief that someone had the guts to do this.
She wanted to release this music video this Women’s Month to connect with more women out there. She knows her platform is its loudest when it connects to more women, and rightfully so, she got a very well known Tiktoker Nissa Nuggets to react to her video, “While it takes a heavy approach, it’s a reminder of how different narratives about body image can leave a lasting impact.”
Amidst constant challenges, Gabri also adds “Taking time to recharge. It’s a journey, takes a lot of time and effort. Music plays a significant role in my coping, whether through writing, listening, or simply allowing myself to relax. Also cafe’s are calming the scent of coffee being brewed, it’s beautiful.”
I need to breathe, hoping these choices make sense to me.
With this music video now out on her YouTube channel, expect Gabri to go out and add value to more women whenever she writes something scary, bothersome, joyful, lovely experiences. It pays to be kind to each other, “And showering people with words of love. It’s important to remember that love should uplift, not hurt. Addressing these situations openly is crucial for healing and establishing healthy boundaries”.
“Calm” is out on all digital streaming platforms, all in all it feels like our Disney princesses came out and lived life like any other real young lady Walt Disney would be proud!
1 Comment
Great post but I was wondering if you could write a little more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks in advance!