by Jen Vega
She sings with palpable passion, she writes songs with a poetic twist, and she paints, mostly in watercolor, portraits and visuals of surreal expressions. This multi-talented artist is one of the country's recognized women of Pinoy rock. Yvette Barbra Hontiveros Almalbis-Honasan a.k.a Barbie Almalbis continues to be a captivating presence in the Philippine music industry.
Indeed, change is the only permanent thing in this world and Barbie Almalbis is not exempt from this reality. Critics and fans are slowly grasping her sudden shift from being with a band to taking a solo flight.
After her stint as the lead vox of the six year-old band, Barbie's Cradle (with eight music awards to boot), right after being with Hungry Young Poets, Barbie is back to her roots. Alternative, that is. This is very much felt and heard in her new album "Parade" under Warner Music - her first album as a solo artist. It is not a one-woman show though. She's joined by Franklin Benitez, who mans the drums and who's her buddy from her previous bands, Karel Honasan, who plays the bass guitar and her brother-in-law, and Adrian Morales on keyboards.
Leaving the cradle doesn't mean she's at odds with her bandmates. There's no rift, no rivalry, no suspicious conspiracy at all. "I never plan my life. It's God who put direction in my life," she relates, adding that her relationship with Jesus Christ has brought in a major change into her life, her spirituality manifests how she writes her songs, how she performs and how she relates with people.
Last year brought her love, as well. She got married to Martin Honasan who came from a prominent political family. They got married in a simple Christian wedding solemnized by a Pastor. Both actually share the same passion for the arts. Martin is a painter, too. Now, the couple is blessed with an angel named Noa Stina.
Still the angelic voice and the playful doll that she is, Barbie is just what the music scene needs, as she continues to rock with songs that are uplifting and upbeat. Join Barbie as she goes solo.