Filipina Artists Reveal their Music Heroines, Part 1: Clara Benin, Leanne & Naara, Pat Lasaten, and Pat Sarabia

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Songs are there to fuel productivity and spark inspiration. They can comfort us in times of isolation, give advice, provide an escape, and say the things that we can’t utter ourselves for whatever reason.

Music, indeed, plays many roles in our lives.

But it’s not only the tracks — the final output themselves — that are potent. The artists behind them and the passion inevitably stamped onto their work have the power to move, influence, and touch lives, including those of their fellow musicians.

For our special feature this National Women’s Month, we’re putting the spotlight on some of today’s most talented female artists and the musicians that they look up to.

In the first part of this series, we asked singer-songwriter Clara Benin, musical duo Leanne & Naara, Ben&Ben keyboardist and film scorer Pat Lasaten, and Oh, Flamingo! and Apartel drummer Pat Sarabia about their own music heroines — plus, their take on the important roles that women in OPM play.

Clara Benin

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“I found Julianne’s musicianship and songwriting really personal and profound and it inspired me to make songs that are personal as well.“

Who is the female music figure that you look up to and consider your music heroine?

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One of the female musicians that I grew up looking up to is Julianne Tarroja!

How did she and her work impact you as an artist?

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I found Julianne’s musicianship and songwriting really personal and profound and it inspired me to make songs that are personal as well.

I’ve met her a few times in shows and each time was such a humbling experience. You can tell how passionate she is about her craft on and off the stage.

Is there a particular work of hers that has a special meaning to you?

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The entire “Ashes to Beauty” album was the soundtrack of my senior year in college. It was constantly on repeat in my car.

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Have you shared any unforgettable moments with her? What would it be and how did it feel to share it with her?

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Julianne and I both sang at a wedding ceremony. She sang her song “Grateful” and I sang my song “Tila.” I always feel inspired every time I watch her sing!

I’m really grateful for female artists like Julianne, who inspired not just me, but a lot of female artists in my generation to pursue our music!

What’s your advice to aspiring Filipina singer-songwriters out there?

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My advice would be, don’t be afraid to sing from the heart!

Leanne & Naara

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“Pinay musicians aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and truthful. They give a voice to the voiceless and they inspire courage through their songs.“

Who are the female music figures that you look up to and consider your music heroines?

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We have a lot. I think our music’s largely influenced by the women artists that we look up to. Leanne loves Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu and Naara considers Hayley Williams, Maggie Rogers, and HAIM her musical heroines.

How did she and her work impact you as an artist?

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Naara: I became a fan of Hayley Williams when I was in grade school. I love how powerful her voice is! I also love her energy every time she gets on stage.

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Aside from her, I consider Maggie Rogers and HAIM my music heroines. I love it when Maggie Rogers said in an interview before that she wants to release music that’s going to last. That’s something that I also believe in: to release quality music that will be remembered and loved by many.

Lastly, what I love about Haim is their branding, I love how they just let loose and do whatever they want to when they’re on stage. I love how they collaboratively work together.

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Is there a particular work or song lyric from them that has a special meaning to you?

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Leanne: Not specifically a song lyric but something that Amy Winehouse said in one of her interviews. She shared how she feels like she needs to suffer for her art, or something to that effect.

It made me reflect on so many things, mostly on how to pour myself into my process while still protecting my mental health. Another thing that I carry with me is how she said that she loved talking about her experiences in her songs because no one can tell her story better. I think that’s also what I’ve been trying to do ever since I started writing.

You’re one of the most talented female acts in the scene today. How do you think Pinay musicians have shaped the OPM scene and helped it thrive?

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Pinay musicians aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and truthful. They give a voice to the voiceless and they inspire courage through their songs. My only hope is that listeners continue to appreciate them for who they are, and support the artists that they love as they grow.

What’s your advice to aspiring Filipina singer-songwriters out there?

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Be who you are. Know your worth and don’t be afraid to show the world what you’ve got!

Pat Lasaten (Ben&Ben)

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“I’m personally so glad to be seeing more and more female musicians. The bands I grew up with were mostly all-male so when there were bands or artists that emerged that had a girl, I would instantly feel like music was something I could do.”

Who are the female music figures that you look up to and consider your music heroine? How did they impact you as an artist?

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My music heroines are Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Kitchie Nadal, Hayley Williams of Paramore, and (I’m serious about this one) Hannah Montana. Let me explain in detail why they are people I look up to.

Christina Aguilera was my first favorite artist. At four years old, I would sing her songs without hesitation during family gatherings. At that age, I didn’t know why I loved “Genie In A Bottle” so much.

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I had my Avril Lavigne phase after because my dad would play her songs whenever we’d travel. I think she’s the reason why I started liking rock music. She was just so cool and I just wanted to be like her.

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I first heard of Kitchie Nadal’s music when my alma mater started promoting her. I think she reinforced my interest in pop-rock.

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Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus’ on-screen alter-ego, is the reason why I learned to play the guitar. I grew up learning music because it was required of me, but because of her songs, it was the first time I wanted to learn music for fun. I was 11 at the time.

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My ultimate music heroine is Hayley Williams. A lot of who I am as a musician and a performer was influenced by her. I admire her stage presence and how she gets lost in the music whenever she’s on stage. If I remember correctly, she’s the first artist I actually googled and really researched. I used to watch all of Paramore’s videos and I’d observe the way she performs. The way she expresses herself on-stage amazed me so much that I wanted to be that cool and carefree in life.

Is there a particular work from them that has a special meaning to you?

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Paramore’s song “26” from their album “After Laughter” really resonated with me when I turned 26. It was actually my theme song from 2020 to 2022 when things were tough for me.

One line that stood out was the chorus and it goes, “Hold onto hope if you got it/ Don’t let it go for nobody/ And they say that dreaming is free/ But I wouldn’t care what it cost me.” This lyric really gave me hope on my bad days.

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You’re part of Ben&Ben, a band that both have male and female members. How do you think Pinay musicians have shaped the OPM scene and helped it thrive? Are there particular challenges concerning women in music that you want to be changed?

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I’m personally so glad to be seeing more and more female musicians. The bands I grew up with were mostly all-male so when there were bands or artists that emerged that had a girl, I would instantly feel like music was something I could do.

Pinay musicians in particular have this effect. I actually see it as an avalanche. It started with just a few women in the industry but because these women became more and more visible in the scene, a lot of female musicians emerged. Like a snowball into an avalanche.

One challenge that I see for women in the music scene is that our level of competency is always doubted. This is actually what a lot of women in different industries experience. The only way to combat this is by speaking up and standing your ground.

What’s your advice to aspiring Filipina singer-songwriters out there?

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To all the Filipina musicians out there, specifically the instrumentalists, never stop dreaming. If you want to learn an instrument, go ahead and learn it. If you don’t know any other girl your age that plays the same instrument, be the first. Don’t forget to encourage other girls to pick up an instrument in the process. Let’s build a community of women musicians that empower and support each other.

[READ: 8 Songs by Filipina Acts to Empower and Inspire Pinays Everywhere]

Pat Sarabia (Oh, Flamingo!, Apartel)

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“We have people like Myrene Academia and other resident indie/rock scene members who paved a path for us for younger female instrumentalists so that we can be in a band and be badass with no frills.”

Who are the female music figures that you look up to and consider your music heroines?

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Spice Girls, Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint, St. Vincent, and Beyoncé.

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How did they impact you as an artist?

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They inspire me to become better and more honest just by being themselves. Watching their concerts was super memorable and life-changing for me.

How do you think Pinay musicians have shaped the OPM scene and helped it thrive? Are there particular challenges concerning women in music that you want to be changed?

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Pinay musicians push the bar in their own ways through their diligence and passion.

We have greats making music history among the ranks of Lea Salonga who prove that Pinays are world-class. Charice, now known as Jake Zyrus, has achieved many milestones and continues to inspire many people through his radical self-love.

We have people like Myrene Academia and other resident indie/rock scene members who paved a path for us for younger female instrumentalists so that we can be in a band and be badass with no frills.

As for what I think needs to be changed, I’m not particularly sure because maybe this implies that something is wrong or needs to be fixed in regards to being a Pinay musician. I just hope to see or meet more bold and creative female acts or musicians in the future.

What’s your advice to aspiring Filipina musicians out there?

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I will dedicate my response to the other female instrumentalists: Stay open to what life has to offer. Keep some sort of mindfulness practice in your life and this will be present in your playing. Most of all, enjoy your expression and be yourself.

Watch our featured Pinay acts’ Wishclusive performances below:

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ALSO READ: Wishclusives To Watch All Over Again this International Women’s Month

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