Biography: Julia Roman Abueva

JULIA ROMAN ABUEVA ….A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BIG VOICE

Julia’s dream since she was 5 years old is to be a singer when she grows up. Julia’s not quite a grown up yet, but she is somehow already living her dream. Discovered at the age of 7 by Singapore local singer Cat Ong, Julia’s first performance was as a guest performer in Cat Ong’s concert at the Esplanade Theaters By the Bay where she sang ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie, and ‘Where Is Love’ from Oliver. At age 8, she was signed up by Kuo Po, Kids Performing Managing Director, to be one of the 8 original members of the Jazzkids, the first ever group of young children in Singapore (aged 8 to 14 years) to perform popular Jazz songs.

Always unaffected and ‘only a little bit nervous’ before a performance, Julia’s focus is unwavering when she’s on stage. She loves to sing for people and it shows in every performance which is why she has earned the attention of artists and producers not only in Singapore, but in the Philippines as well. At the tender age of 9, Julia has to her credit almost 100 public performances both in the Philippines and Singapore – singing both with the Jazzkids, and as a solo performer. As a solo performer, Julia has sung before Singapore heads of state including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President S.R. Nathan, and is a favorite in launching national events including the Singapore Arts Festival and Annual Singapore Quality Awards. She has also performed with Philippine artists like Monique Wilson and Martin Nievera. It was in one of Julia’s performances in the Philippines that she was spotted by no less than Ligaya Salonga (mom of world renowned artist Lea Salonga), who since then has become Julia’s talent manager. Julia recently cut her first single, soon to be released with a collection of songs from 8 celebrated Filipino artists in the United Nations Millennium Album.

Although from a family of academes (Julia is the granddaughter of 2 UP Presidents, Jose V. Abueva, and first woman UP President, Emerlinda R. Roman), Julia was showing signs that she is more artistically inclined at a very early age. At age 1, Julia started singing in family gatherings (often volunteering when no one else wanted to perform), and enjoyed tapping away at the keys of her lola’s piano – it therefore came not as a surprise that she composed her own song when she was 4 years old.

Julia’s repertoire includes a wide selection of jazz and big band songs, as well as Broadway and Disney songs. Among her favorites are ‘Tomorrow’ (performed at the Istana, Singapore for heads of state), ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ (performed with Monique Wilson) and ‘When You Believe’ (performed at the UP 19th President Investiture Rites). Her favorite Jazz and Big Band songs include ‘Route 66’, ‘L-O-V-E’ and ‘New York, New York’ (performed at the Singapore Esplanade and Arts House). Julia also takes pride in being able to perform tagalong songs for fellow Filipinos. She’s had the opportunity to sing Lea Salonga’s ‘Small Voice’ (at the 107th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Singapore), and ‘Ako Ay Pilipino’ and ‘Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan’ (at the ‘UP Naming Mahal: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao’ concert), and is hoping to do more performances in the Philippines.

Julia dreams of doing theater work someday, and was recently taken to play the role of Auster, the child fairy in ‘Peter Pan the Musical’ staged at the Esplanade in October 2005. She prays that she can someday star in the musical ‘Annie’, which she quotes as her ‘dream role’.

When asked how she feels about her singing and what she has achieved so far, Julia confidently shares ‘I just follow my dreams and I always give my voice back to God’.

Julia is currently a 4th grade student at the Singapore American School, an active member of the student council and plays soccer and basketball on Saturday mornings. Her family moved to Singapore in 2001 when her mother, who works for Procter & Gamble International was assigned a regional role. She is the 3rd and youngest child of Jonas and Regina Abueva. On days when Julia is not preparing for a performance, Julia enjoys spending time with her family, including her brother Joshua and sister Jerone, and loves playing with her beagle George.

Other Info
Full Name: Julia Roman-Abueva
Birthdate: 26 November 1995
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Height: 4 feet 8 inches
Weight: 35 kg
Eye Color: Brown
Hair: Black
Hobbies: Singing, Playing Piano, Arts and Crafts
Sports: Swimming, Soccer, Basketball,
Race: Filipino
School/ Level: Singapore American School, 4th grade
Favorite Food: Cheese Pizza, Japanese Crackers
Hobbies: Playing the piano, making friendship bracelets, SINGING!
Favorite TV show: That’s So Raven, Lizzie Maguire
Favorite Musical: Annie, Les Miserables