Kyla on cager wives with troubled marriage

News of the break-up of actress Maricar De Mesa and PBA player Don Allado’s marriage  reverberated around the community of hoop stars and their celebrity wives.

R&B singer Kyla, herself married to former PBA top draft pick Rich Alvarez, has something to say about it — something that boils down to “saving relationships.”

Kyla and Rich’s marriage are obviously going strong, especially now that they have a son, Toby Elzea. Sadly, this kind of blessing did not come Don and Maricar’s way.

Asked for a message for other couples faced with a similar situation, Kyla said, “Me just speaking for myself, I believe that every couple should always try to save their relationship. There will always be challenges and lows.”

The 33-year old singer implied though that she has no right to judge the way Don and Maricar handled their marriage.

“Once, I saw them together but I cannot comment about them as a couple. I’ve never seen them that much.”

Comeback album

After taking a break from recording to focus on her pregnancy and eventual motherhood, Kyla is back in the spotlight with a new album that sounds a step further in her continuing maturity as a musical artist.

She feels some inner transformation while working on the new CD light called “Journey.”

“Mas malawak na ang music that I listen to this time and I’ve learned a lot music-wise. So this makes this CD special. Modesty aside, every track is single material.”

Honeymoon song

The album contains six songs, including “I Got This” which she co-wrote with “R&B Prince” Jay-R and Yosha Honasan. The title track she penned a couple of years back when she and Rich had their honeymoon in Europe.

Kyla relates, “I was very young when I started 15 years ago. Now I’m continuing my journey as an artist because for me walang age limit ang pagiging artist. As long as you can sing and create music, you can go on and create albums.”

As a result of her newfound inspiration as homemaker, Kyla added, “Ngayon mas nadagdagan pa ang  sumusuporta. Rich gives me ideas I turn into musical creations. Somehow nagagamit ko ang mga ideas na yun.”

Rich, now basketball coaching for Ateneo, ended his PBA playing days with Talk N Text.

“Journey” was formally launched last Thursday (May 15) by Polyeast Records. The album contains  Kyla’s latest single “Kunwa-kunwari Lang” penned by Jungee Marcelo and Kiko Salazar. Also included is her duet with Bryan McKnight called “My Heart.”

Staying power

To what does she attribute her staying power in the business?

“Probably because I never stop writing and making music. I’m not sure if I have reached my peak yet; what I’m sure of is that I’m just here chilling out, hanging there. Nandito lang ako kahit marami na ang bagong dumadating,” Kyla replied.

She further assessed, “Mas malalim pa ang pinaghuhugutan ko ngayon, being a happily married mother.  I think it’s to my advantage.”