Moira Rachelle Bustamante Dela Torre (born November 4, 1993)[2][3] is a Filipino singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Olongapo, Philippines, she began as a voice artist for corporate jingles and theme songs. In 2013, she competed in The Voice of The Philippines, releasing her debut EP Moira following her stint in the show. She rose to fame after interpreting Libertine Amistoso's "Titibo-Tibo" in the Himig Handog music video competition, in which it won. She gained further success with her 2018 debut album, Malaya, which was awarded an eight-time platinum certification in 2020.

Moira Dela Torre
Dela Torre in 2019
Born
Moira Rachelle Bustamante Dela Torre

(1993-11-04) November 4, 1993 (age 31)
Olongapo, Philippines
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
Years active2011–present
AgentCornerstone Entertainment
Spouse
Jason Hernandez
(m. 2019; sep. 2022)
ParentMaria Raquel Bustamante Dela Torre John Onate Dela Torre
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels

Early life

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Moira Rachelle Bustamante Dela Torre was born on November 4, 1993, in Olongapo, Philippines to a music-oriented family. She wrote her first song, "After Your Heart", at the age of 12; the song would later be featured on her self-titled debut EP album released nine years later.[4]

Career

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Career beginnings

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Dela Torre's career started as a voice artist working on corporate jingles and theme songs, including McDonald's "Hooray for Today", Surf's "Pinalaki", and Johnson & Johnson's "Signature of Love".[3][5]

In 2013, Dela Torre auditioned in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines, singing "Hallelujah" by Bamboo Mañalac. She turned only one chair, that of apl.de.ap, and thus becoming a member of his team and advancing to the "battle round" of the show.[6] She was eliminated in the battles, having been defeated by Penelope Matanguihan.[7] Following her appearance in the show, she released her first single titled "Love Me Instead" through her debut EP album titled Moira, which was released under Ivory Music.[8]

2016–2017: Himig Handog, Malaya

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Dela Torre performed singles for the official soundtracks of the romantic films Camp Sawi and Love You to the Stars and Back, namely "Malaya",[9] and a cover of Moonstar88's "Torete".[10]

In October 2017, she performed in the finals of the songwriting and music video competition Himig Handog. She served as the interpreter for Libertine Amistoso's song, "Titibo-Tibo". The song would become the grand winner of the competition; the performance for the competition became the most viewed performance for that year's edition.[11] In late October, she became a member of the acoustic group ASAP Jambayan.

2018–2021: Idol Philippines

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In February 2018, her first concert "Tagpuan" sold out in four days on its first night; it was directed by John Prats. Due to public demand, the concert had a second night.[12] Her 2018 debut album, Malaya, featured her hit singles "Malaya" and "Tagpuan".[13] In December 2018, she became Spotify's No. 1 most streamed artist in the Philippines.[14] Malaya album was certified 8× Platinum in the Philippines with more than 120,000 copies sold, making it the best-selling album in 2018.[15]

Also, she became one of the judges in Idol Philippines, and on September of the said year, staged her second major concert at the Araneta Coliseum titled Braver.[16][17]

2021–present: Patawad

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In March 2021 her second studio album "Patawad" was released, the album spawned the hit singles "Mabagal" featuring Daniel Padilla, "Patawad, Paalam" and "Paalam" featuring Ben&Ben.[18] Patawad album was certified Platinum in the Philippines with more than 15,000 copies sold.[15]

In 2022, Dela Torre officially signed with UMG Philippines thru label Republic Records Philippines.[19] On January 20, 2023, she released "Ikaw at Sila", the first song in her upcoming album.[20] The song modified the lyrics of previous works written with Jason Hernandez, to reflect their separation in the previous year.[21] Dela Torre later embarked on a world tour in support of her upcoming album.[22] At the first show at the Araneta Coliseum, she performed several unreleased songs—"Red Flags", "Eme", "Under The Bathroom Sink", and "Rewritten Vows"—which went viral across social media platforms and received a positive response from the public.[23][24][25]

In May 2024, Dela Torre revealed in an Instagram post that she achieved two billion Spotify streams, becoming the first OPM solo artist and the second overall after Ben&Ben.[26][27]

Personal life

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Dela Torre is a devout Christian, but has said "I don't like imposing my convictions on other people." She considers writing and performing worship songs her passion.[28][29] Jason Hernandez announced his separation with Dela Torre on May 31, 2022, admitting his infidelity to her during their marriage.[30]

Of her "ritual" before performing, Dela Torre told the Philippine magazine Yes!: "Before performing, I just go to the banyo [restroom] and poop. Otherwise, I'll just fart [while performing], which I've done a number of times."[2] She also revealed that two months after her marriage, she underwent a botched nose job, from which she recovered three months later while confined at home. According to Dela Torre, the non-invasive procedure had resulted in necrosis that put her "at high risk of being blind, of aneurysm, of heart attack, and stroke". Despite this, she said she had forgiven the surgeon who carried out the procedure and did not file a complaint.[31]

Artistry

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Musical style and influences

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Dela Torre cites Brooke Fraser as her main musical inspiration.

Dela Torre has said that she was heavily influenced by Brooke Fraser and was the artist that inspired her to write her own music.[32] Her music, primarily in pop, has been described as soothing and emotional.[33] Referred to as the "OPM Queen" by Nylon Manila, her sound has become one of the most popular tunes in the mainstream and has been dominating the radio stations and music channels, television shows and film soundtracks.[34]

Voice and timbre

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Dela Torre is lauded for her "heartfelt"[35] and "angelic voice."[36] Lea Salonga called her as "The Voice of the New Generation."[37] Her voice is described as "airy"[38] and "soothing",[39] noted for her distinct singing style that has since became her signature sound in her records.[39]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 Hayop Ka! Iñigo's sister (voice) First film appearance
2024 Becky & Badette Herself Celebrity Cameo

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 The Voice of the Philippines (season 1) Herself Contestant
2017–present ASAP Main stay Performer
2019 Idol Philippines Judge [40]
2022

Discography

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  • Malaya (2018)
  • Patawad (2020)
  • Halfway Point (Reimagined) (2021)
  • I’m Okay (2024)

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "artist". abs-cbn.com.
  2. ^ a b "Spotlight". Yes!. Philippines: Summit Media. April 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Where Did Moira Dela Torre Get Inspiration for her Hit Song 'Malaya'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 6, 2017.
  4. ^ "'Queen of Emotions' Moira dela Torre sings more than just 'hugot' songs". BusinessMirror. June 24, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "'Little Big Shots': Boy fulfills dream of recording song with Moira dela Torre". ABS-CBN News. December 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "Meet the voice behind the McDo PH jingle". ABS-CBN News. June 30, 2013.
  7. ^ "'Little Big Shots': Boy fulfills dream of recording song with Moira dela Torre". ABS-CBN News. December 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "'Queen of Emotions' Moira dela Torre sings more than just 'hugot' songs". BusinessMirror. June 23, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  9. ^ "Moira dela Torre, binalikan ang kuwento ng awiting 'Malaya'" [Moira Dela Torre recalled the story of the song 'Malaya']. ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). June 7, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  10. ^ Policarpio, Allan (January 9, 2018). "'Torete' tops Billboard PH 18 years after its release". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "'Titibo-Tibo' interpreted by Moira wins Himig Handog 2017". ABS-CBN News. November 26, 2017.
  12. ^ "Moira Dela Torre's "Tagpuan" concert opens second night". One Music PH. January 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "AUDIO JUNKIE: Hits from Pinoy movies, series and 'Istorya'". Manila Bulletin. January 8, 2018.
  14. ^ Cagape, Kristhoff. "Moira dela Torre is Spotify's No. 1 Most Streamed local artist". push.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Moira dela Torre turns emotional over multiplatinum certifications for her albums". ABS-CBN News. October 18, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "A 'Braver Moira' to enthral Cebu in a concert this October". INQUIRER.net. October 6, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Moira Dela Torre to hold headlining concert in September". Bandwagon. July 16, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  18. ^ C.A. "Review: Moira's 'Patawad' Album | uDOu PH". Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  19. ^ Agarap, Angelique (November 25, 2022). "Moira Dela Torre inks contract with Republic Records". 96.3 Easy Rock. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "1 trending agad: Moira mapanakit kanta, tagos sa puso 'patutsada' kay Jason". www.abante.com.ph. January 20, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "'Sa tagpuan ng iba': Moira updates songs with ex as heartbreak tune 'Ikaw at Sila'". ABS-CBN News. January 22, 2023.
  22. ^ "Moira dela Torre announces details of 2023 world tour". ABS-CBN News. January 6, 2023.
  23. ^ "WATCH: Moira dela Torre treats fans with heartbreaking songs in concert". ABS-CBN News. February 4, 2023.
  24. ^ "Moira Dela Torre Exclusively Performs Her Unreleased Songs On Recent Concert | PAGEONE". pageone.ph. February 8, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Severo, Jan Milo. "'Wasted five years of my life': Moira Dela Torre's new song sparks rumors about ex Jason Hernandez's cheating". Philstar.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  26. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (May 29, 2024). "Moira Dela Torre is 1st Filipino soloist to hit 2 billion Spotify streams". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  27. ^ Antonio, Josiah (May 29, 2024). "Moira dela Torre hits 2 billion streams on Spotify". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Moira dela Torre on writing worship songs: "It's my passion talaga"". PUSH.com. ABS-CBN Digital Media. August 12, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2019. As a Christian, I don't find any other way to live my life than to be guided by his Word. [...] I don't like imposing my convictions on other people.
  29. ^ "IN PHOTOS: Moira dela Torre and Jason Marvin Hernandez's garden wedding". Rappler. January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  30. ^ "Moira Dela Torre, Jason Hernandez confirm breakup after 3 years of marriage". PhilStar. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  31. ^ Guno, Niña (August 15, 2019). "Moira Dela Torre reveals risk of going blind due to nose job gone wrong". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  32. ^ Borromeo, Emmy (March 29, 2022). "Moira Dela Torre on the Songs that Inspired Her Artistry, Being a Musician in the Pandemic Era, and More". Wish FM 107.5. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  33. ^ Abanes, Mariel (February 19, 2018). "Moira dela Torre Served Music, Poetry, And Feels In Her Star-Studded "Tagpuan" Concert". Metro Style.
  34. ^ "Moira Dela Torre Is Out For Blood With Her New Music". nylonmanila.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  35. ^ Co, Ryanne (June 20, 2022). "Moira Dela Torre On The Importance Of Authenticity In The Music Industry". Tatler Asia.
  36. ^ "Moira Dela Torre Had the Best Clapback Against a Netizen Who Told Her to Lose Weight for Men". Preview PH. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "Lea Salonga reacts to Moira dela Torre singing 'Reflection' for local release of 'Mulan'". Push. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  38. ^ "LISTEN: Maximillian and Moira Dela Torre duet in new version of 'Beautiful Scars'". RAPPLER. January 2, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  39. ^ a b Singh, Surej (November 2, 2021). "Moira Dela Torre shares two new singles and documentary-concert film". NME. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  40. ^ "Meet the judges of 'Idol Philippines'". Rappler. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
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