Edeliza Uraning

Edeliza Uraning

LIZA COMES HOME

When passion and heart finds its way in music, it will only be a matter of time before the right material will catapult one’s drive, wherever and whenever.  Such enamor to music manifests in the persona of Edeliza Uraning. Born in Isabela City, Basilan she lived all her life in the province during her primary, secondary and tertiary education. It was there that she learned to play the guitar. “My father is a music lover. I grew up listening to him singing the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, The Beatles, The Carpenters, Abba, and the like - he was the one who opened my eyes into music”, declared Liza. Personally, Liza would be influenced by Francis M, Andrew E, Menudo, Madonna, Kenny Loggins, Alanis Morissete, Deep Purple, ACDC and many more. Although Liza has no formal education in music, as a teenager, she was already writing lyrics and music. She remember composing a number of songs but wasn't able to record it. In 2004, she got commissioned to sing in a rock & blues band called ‘Xalbaje’ in The Roadhouse in Macau. It  was in abroad where she honed her singing and writing skills. An album – ‘Breaking Silence’ - was recorded by the group. Three of the eight songs in the album was written by Liza; ‘Muling  Masisilayan’, ‘Don't Hold Back’ and ‘Nag Abang’. They were the only Filipino independent artist who were able to release an album in Dubai. After a hiatus with Xalbahe, she recorded her solo debut album entitled “A Journey Of Life, Love & Music” last 2018. The 12-track bi-lingual album was recorded and produced entirely in Macau by an Italian friend Fabrizio Croce. It was the locals there, that was privileged to hear  Liza Uraning’s first solo outing. “Kulayan”, the 5th track off her album, a personal favorite, talks about love, life and the colors lacking in a relationship that need be there in the first place. The swooning ballad is highlighted by a sexy saxophone right smack in the middle of the tune. She excels in hitting those high notes. Another favorite is “Ang Babaeng Pilipina”, an eloquent tune reminding everyone of the Pinay’s loyalty trait to the one she loves. This one is dominated by a plucked classical guitar teemed with a piano forte to boot across the song.

How does she find the inspiration to write these songs? “It depends on my enthusiasm during that moment that I created a song. Some I started it with lyrics first then the Melody. Other times I do it all together lyrics and then Melody. But when I'm really inspired, I can quickly compose. There were times when I wake up Dawn and just note down the words that my thoughts is giving me because if I will not note it immediately I forget it and loose the beauty of my imagination”, reveals Liza. Her compositions was partly inspired by her personal experiences. She also gets ideas from what she have seen and observed with other women’s struggles in a relationship. “But most of the songs that I wrote was personal and some are just my imaginary wishes”, relates Liza with  a sheepish smile.

So far, so good for this 44-year old widow, who was once touted to have the same singing style to that of Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. Her losing bid in Tawag Ng Tanghalan in Showtime last 2017, was  the catalyst that made her pursue her singing career. “Hindi ko mabigyan ng pansin na mapush marelease ang solo album ko had I won in that contest”, advises Liza. Is her album available locally? “Unfortunately, commercially it is not yet available here in the Philippines, but is now available in Spotify”.