Jema Galanza steps into the spotlight as she temporarily goes off the court.
Jema Galanza continues to serve even if she steps away from volleyball indefinitely.
As she continues to nurse a left foot injury, Jema is using her time-off to pursue new passions, recently shining on the stage as a singer in RMA Studio Academy’s That’s Amore: A Night at the Movies concert last November 11.
There, Jema was one of many special guest performers along with OPM icon Jose Mari Chan, and local celebrities such as Michelle Dee, Rhian Ramos, Ina Raymundo, and Pepe Herrera, to name a few.
“I may be absent inside the court and not be able to play the game that I love for the meantime..but this night reminded me that passion comes in many forms. Pop star era unlocked!” Jema wrote on Instagram.
Jema first became affiliated with RMA Studio Academy last January, thanks to friend and former volleyball player Carmela Tunay. At the time, the Creamline star was looking for a passion outside of volleyball, leading to her decision to take up voice lessons.
Along with striking a balance between work and life, Jema also considered her partner, Ella De Jesus, whose family had a natural talent toward singing.
“Ito ‘yung time na medyo nagttry ako ng ibang bagay para ma-reset ‘yung mind ko na hindi puro volleyball, so sabi ko gusto ko mag-voice lessons. Wala naman siya sa plano na mag-concert talaga,” Jema told reporters last Thursday after Creamline’s rivalry game against Choco Mucho at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“So nag-apply ako ng four sessions sa RMA and for lessons lang talaga siya, kasi ang plan ko lang talaga is makasabay ako sa family ni Ella. Mahilig kasi sila kumanta, so maganda boses and gusto ko rin mag-voice lessons para lumebel ‘yung boses ko sa kanila.”
It was here that Jema was first informed of That’s Amore, with her coach encouraging her to join auditions for the concert. Understandably, Jema was hesitant at first, given her commitments as a full-time player for Creamline.
“Sabi ko hindi ko alam kung kaya ko, kasi hindi ko rin naman ineexpect na magkakaroon ako ng injury, and hindi ko kakayanin [mag-concert] kasi magttraining pa ako and hindi ako maka-commit,” Jema recalled.
“Then sabi niya, ‘hindi try mo lang’ kasi magkakaroon ng audition para lang makita ‘yung boses mo. Hindi ko na ma-remember kung kailan ‘yung audition na ‘yun, basta nag-audition ako and parang dun na ako sinali sa concert.”
The rest, as they say, is history.
Change of scenery
For Jema Galanza, the chance to debut on stage wasn’t just a chance to showcase her versatility. It was also an opportunity that provided a rewarding sense of fulfillment, which she’s been looking to feel again as a professional athlete.
“Kasi lately diba sa volleyball medyo struggle talaga? Ups and downs tas di mo malalaman kung talagang nandon ka sa peak mo, or talagang nag-eenjoy ka,” she reflected.
“Alam mo ‘yun? May talo tas may pagkapanalo, so sabi ko na dito ko sa concert na-feel ‘yung happiness ko ulit then ‘yung excitement ko ulit na parang gusto ko ulit ma-feel sa volleyball.”
Through her leap of faith, Jema has also found another community that welcomed her with open arms, along with knowing that her gifts aren’t just limited to being a professional athlete.
“Sobrang nag-enjoy hindi lang dahil nag-concert ako sa stage, kasi mayroon din akong na-meet na mga bagong kaibigan — mapa-bata or mga ka-age ko or mas matanda sa akin. Then of course, ‘yung parang nagkaroon lang ako ng bagong mundo ulit na nakilala nila kung paano ‘yung totoong ako,” she said.
Now that she’s gotten her feet wet as a performer, will we see more of Jema’s “pop star era” soon? Well, if the circumstances permit, she’s more than open for another concert with RMA Studio Academy.
“Si RMA naman ‘yung nagbibigay naman sakin ng chance or ng opportunity sa ganong klaseng performance. So if ever next year, sana po! Pero pagtatrabahuhin naman namin ‘yun and may lessons pa rin naman po sa susunod na buwan,” she said.
Other performing arts, namely acting, will have to wait for Jema for now. Still, that’s not to say that she’s closing her doors completely from expanding her craft.
“‘Di ko po sure kasi kumbaga kung ano lang ‘yung ma-discover ko sa self ko. Sa ngayon ito lang ‘yung unang na-discover ko so malalaman po natin. Ngayon nag-eenjoy naman ako!” she concluded.
Banner images from Jema Galanza on Instagram.