Radha says backstage clashes can push artists to become better performers

“It’s been interesting. I feel like this is life,” Radha said when asked if she had experienced backstage conflicts, such as performers fighting or sabotaging one another’s outfits.

“It’s only natural that when you work with people constantly, every day, every moment, there’s gonna be some friction.”

For Radha, the important thing is how artists respond when things get difficult.

“But I love the friction because you can have two choices. Either you let it bog you down, but as artists, we’re not like that,” she said.

“When we’re challenged, we get better. We step up to the plate.”

From performer to creative director

Radha knows firsthand the unpredictable nature of live performances. From technical glitches and lighting problems to wardrobe mishaps, artists must learn to adapt while delivering their best onstage.

“We don’t know what’s gonna happen. If the music is gonna be correct, if the lighting, if we slip, if we break a heel, or stiletto, if our hair just decides to have a life of its own,” she said.

“These are things that we deal with as artists. And I think as human beings, right? It’s a human experience.”

Despite the occasional friction, Radha said she loves the people she works with and believes those relationships are worth preserving.

Her perspective comes from more than three decades in the entertainment industry. She first rose to fame at just 15 as the lead singer of the hip-hop group Kulay, later appearing in productions such as “Diva” and competing in “The Voice of the Philippines.”

Now, as creative director of Quezon Club, she brings that experience to a role that involves shaping the venue’s live entertainment offerings and deciding which performers get to take the stage.

Filipino artists are world-class

Beyond managing the creative direction of the venue, Radha wants Quezon Club to help Filipino artists reach their potential by giving them opportunities to showcase their talents.

“I know in my heart that every Filipino artist in the Philippines right now is world-class. It’s just in us. It’s in our blood, I think,” she said.

She believes local performers need people who will believe in them and provide the venues, stages, and opportunities they need to grow.

“All you have to do is to give them the belief and the venue and the stage and the opportunity to be who they were meant to be as artists,” she said.

Radha also expressed gratitude for the support she receives from the people behind Quezon Club, saying she wants artists to receive the same kind of backing.

For her, performers who demonstrate their artistry are already candidates for the venue, with their individuality helping determine who makes the lineup.

A stage for different kinds of talent

Radha said diversity is an important consideration when choosing performers for Quezon Club. While artists may share certain qualities, she believes each one brings something different to the table.

“I do believe that in our core as artists, we do not sound the same as everyone else. Everyone brings something different to the table,” she said.

Rather than trying to fill a perceived gap in its current offerings, she sees room for Quezon Club to expand by welcoming more artists and exploring different kinds of performances.

That vision was reflected in the entertainment showcase and media conference at Solaire Resort Quezon City, which featured Radha alongside Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, David Ezra, Aliya Parcs, JMartin Castro of the RetroSPECT Band, and The Sirens, composed of Sheena Lee Palad, Kris Atinen, and Crystal Baranda Paras.

The QC Kids Crew, comprising Chesko Rodrigue, Melody Hodgson, Paji Arceo, Anton Valdez, Fay Castro, and Brianna Bunagan, also joined the showcase.

Through Quezon Club, Solaire Resort Quezon City aims to strengthen its position as a destination for entertainment and memorable experiences while providing Filipino performers with a venue to showcase their craft and connect with audiences.

For Radha, the goal is to keep creating opportunities for artists to show audiences what makes them different.

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