Hanna Flores. (Photo by ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ)

At a time when the music industry seemingly thrives on tireless renditions of old and new songs, it is challenging to fight its strong current given its assured marketability and appeal. But when everybody—save for some local rock bands—is going with the flow, an artist, particularly a newcomer needs to do something that will set him or her apart from the lot. And 19-year old Hanna Flores is set to make her own path, a sweet deviation from the status quo.

For her eponymously-titled debut album under Star Records, Hanna, daughter and protégé of well-renowned composer and producer Homer Flores, said her father advised her to go for an all-original album because an original song will always be associated with its original singer.

“’Yong Dad ko kasi, pinag-usapan na namin kung magre-revive or original. Eh ‘yong Dad ko, since musician siya, hindi talaga siya boto for covers eh. And ako, gusto kong makilala bilang isang singer. Gaya ni Nina, nakilala siya sa ‘Jealous,’ si Aiza nakilala sa ‘Pagdating Ng Panahon,’ sila Gary [Valenciano]… originals pa rin eh. So dapat ako, ganun din,” she said.

Fueled by her desire to make a successful breakout, Hanna discovered and was inspired to put words to her Dad’s music. The father and daughter complemented each other pretty well: Hanna has a penchant for writing lyrics, while Homer is more inclined to create melodies.

“’Yung Dad ko kasi, ginagawa niya muna ‘yong melody. Tapos ‘pag pinakinggan ko, iniisip ko kung anong puwedeng lyrics. Tapos ayun na. Sa melody mismo ako humuhugot… kung ano ‘yong nafi-feel ko,” shared the young singer, whose song "Dahil Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko," written by her dad for her mom, was featured in the hit teleserye, "Tayong Dalawa."

It seems unusual where she draws lyrical inspiration from, as she confessed to have not yet experienced a feeling as major as falling in love or being broken hearted.

Perhaps, it’s the genuine gift of music that helped her pen some of her songs in her 10-track compilation, such as “Come And Take Me,” “Munting Hiling,” “You Made Life So Beautiful” and “You Know It’s Christmas.”

However, the perky and bubbly teen admitted to feeling the pressure of making a name in the much-populated entertainment industry.

“Hindi pa ko ganun kakilala, tapos bigla na lang akong lumabas. So kailangan pa din talagang mag-grow. So ‘yon ‘yong challenge… ‘yong process, ‘yong steps kung pa’no ako makikilala. Kaya kailangan din na ipapakita ko lagi ‘yong best ko kasi dun nila mabe-base kung okay ba ako for a new project,” said the also-aspiring actress who starred in the Manila staging of “High School Musical.”

Having to contend with other singers, however, isn’t the only challenge. Hanna revealed that her debut, released late last year, was pirated after only two weeks!

“Tinitingnan na lang namin ‘yong positive side, na kapag na-pirate, sikat ka na. Iniisip ko na lang, sige kung bibilhin ng mga tao ‘yong pirated, at least makikilala ako. Kesa naman maging sad ako because of that,” she related.

A little more personal

Homer, who also graced the press conference for Hanna at Proud Mary Restaurant last Feb. 16, told members of the press that his daughter, while a certified “Daddy’s Girl,” is afraid of singing to him. This, the sweet-voiced minstrel honestly affirmed during her one-on-one with the author.

“Kasi ‘yang Daddy ko, high standard ‘yan. Kunwari nanonood [kami] ng TV, tapos may narinig siyang kahit konting mali, ‘Naku, tapos na yan!’ Magre-react siya ng ganun.

‘Ano ba yan, flat!’ Tapos kapag singer, parang hindi siya kontento lagi, parang meron siyang hinahanap na iba. So dati para maiwasan ko na lang ‘yong mga reactions niya, ‘di na lang ako kumakanta… ako na lang ‘pag mag-isa,” recounted the self-confessed Sarah Geronimo fan.

But now, Hanna has managed to meet her father’s standards, motivated to M.H.P.P. (make her papa proud).

“Nakuha ko na rin naman kung ano ‘yong hinahanap niya. Gusto niya kasi kapag singer ka, iba ka. Hindi ka ka-tunog ni ganyan. Meron kang sariling boses. So noon natatakot ako na baka kung ano ang sabihin niya. Siyempre ako gusto ko lagi maging proud siya sa’kin,” she said.

All those years of vocal training under Kitchie Molina, Delight Hubilla and The CompanY, as well as all those workshops she attended at the Center for Pop Music, Trumpets Playshop, Music Academy and Star Magic eventually built her confidence and skills to take the stage and the spotlight. However, her father held her back then, and for one good reason, Hanna deemed.

“Nung high school ako, sumali ako ng ‘SCQ’ [‘Star Circle Quest’]. Hindi ako pumasa sa end kasi… actually nagkaron kami [ni Daddy] ng away dati kasi gusto niya priority ko ‘yong studies ko. So ‘yon din ang pinakamahalagang advice na nakuha ko kasi na-realize ko na important din ‘yong school. Hindi ko siya dapat pabayaan,” Hanna recalled.

Homer eventually gave in and let her daughter live her dream when she got to college.

“Siyempre sa industry, ang market nila [ay] youth. Sabi niya [Dad], ‘Sige basta tapusin mo lang ‘yong high school, pag college, okay na. At least alam na natin na nakatapos ka ng high school. Pag college, madali lang kasi ‘di ba, kahit papano nama-manage mo ‘yong load mo.’ 'Tsaka iniisip ko rin gusto kong maging singer and actress. Dapat mag-start ako nang bata.” Hanna is currently an Entrepreneurial Management sophomore at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Hanna looks to her future as a realm of exciting possibilities: from gigs to concerts to collaborations, to a teleserye and a movie. For now, however, aside from opening for singers like Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual, she is also semi-regular in the Kapamilya primetime soap, “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo,” and is in the cast of the remake of the hit teen-oriented show, “Gimik.”