Interview with Voice V
By Dennis A. Amith, AsianConnections.com

We've seen the explosion of Filipino groups coming from the Bay Area and Southern California and for some people, it is hard to distinguish which group is singing what. Voice V is one of those groups that have their own unique sound and style which differentiates themselves from the other female groups. Most of all, these girls can sing!

     The girls were formerly known as One Voice but when they were recently rewarded a recording contract by MCA Records, their name was changed to Voice V.

     Many people enjoy their debut album "Just the Beginning" and watching them perform live.

     The quintet from Vallejo consists of sisters Mae and Marie Ceralvo, Monica and Aimee Castillo (no relation) and Melissa Ruiz.

     Like the quartet Pinay (featured in APR, vol. 3, issue no. 3), the girls are serious about their education.

     Monica is a nursing major at Sonoma State University, Marie is an engineering major at Cal Poly Pomona, Aimee is civil engineering major at UC Davis and Melissa is a business administration major at San Jose State. Mae, the youngest member of the group is completing her senior year at St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School in Vallejo.

     The group released their first single "All Day, All Nite" in the Fall of 1998.

     The song was written and produced by Jae-E (who has produced for MC Hammer, En Vogue and Markey Mark) and reached the top 10 in Bay Area record sales.

     Currently, their song "When U Think About Me" is catching people's attention and getting requests from stations across the country.

     The promotion of Voice V slightly differs from other recording artists in which the founders of Kamikaze Records believe in promoting Voice V through grass-roots marketing.

     The group has gained a following not only in the Bay Area but in Fresno, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Hawaii and continue to make their music heard in other major cities as well.

     Recently, we had a chance to interview Voice V vocalist, Monica Castillo.

Dennis: Is there a leader of the group?

Voice V: Well, before we had a manager, we all did things on our own. We think each of us have our own kind of leadership, so we all take care of our own specific duties. So, there really isn't one leader. We all work together.

Dennis: How did the girls of Voice V come together?

Voice V: It started out when we were freshman. We're all friends from childhood. Before we were managed, we were a group for two years already performing at parties, events and college gigs.

Dennis: How was the original name "One Voice" chosen for the group?

Voice V: During our cotillion practice, one of our friends heard us and she said, "Wow ! You guys sounds like one voice!" We thought it was a good name and we decided to keep it.

Dennis: Were you and the others raised in a strict Filipino upbringing?

Voice V: Oh yeah! Our parents are very old fashioned and most of our friends families are as well. When we moved to college, we continued to carry the moral and values that our parents influenced on us.

Dennis: What was your parents' reaction when they found out that you girls were releasing a CD?

Voice V: Even before we signed on with Kamikaze Records, they were skeptical about things we were doing because we were so young at that time. Ever since we got managed, our parents saw the interviews and music videos and now they support us 100%. We're very grateful for that.

Dennis: Do you girls have any role models which inspire your music?

Voice V: One group that we think of is "Boys II Men".

Dennis: What is the most satisfying part being Filipino in the music industry?

Voice V: The most satisfying is seeing the look on people's faces when we are on stage. Reading the support from fans on our web site. It makes us feel that we are doing our job and that we are being role models for Filipinos.

Dennis: What is the most frustrating part?

Voice V: Sometimes we have them but I don't let it discourage us because no matter what there will be people who are haters and people who love what you do.

Dennis: What was the group's reaction when you heard your song on the radio?

Voice V: We were in the car and we were screaming! We were so ecstatic!

Dennis: What location did you enjoy performing the most?

Voice V: I would say the Bay Area. Performing for people that know you and performing in a place that you are from.

Dennis: I know your busy with school and your music careers. What do girls like to do in your spare time?

Voice V: In our spare time we like to go to the mall, look around, window shop and go shopping.

Dennis: Just curious Monica, what's your favorite Filipino food?

Voice V: My favorite Filipino food is sinigang.

Dennis: Do you any of you have boyfriends?

Voice V: No. We have a lot of guy friends but no one that is special to us because we have so much happening in our lives and we don't have the time right now.

Dennis: Do you girls get a long?

Voice V: Oh yeah! God has blessed us that we've been friends since childhood. We do have problems but we get through them because of our friendship.

Dennis: What project do you have coming up?

Voice V: We have two new songs in the new Kamikaze compilation album and it also features new artists.

Dennis: What final words do you have for your fans?

Voice V: I want to thank everyone for supporting us and listening to our music. It means a lot to us and we put a lot of hard work into it. We love sharing our talents with everyone. We wouldn't be anywhere where we are at today if it weren't for them.

Thank you to AsianConnections correspondent Dennis A. Amith. This interview by Dennis originally appeared in Asian Pacific Review - Vol. 5, Issue No.4