Obra Maestra: Eliza Maturan On Creating “Museo,” BINI’s Colet, And Chasing Her Dreams

“When will it be my time?”

It’s a question that, no doubt, many young, aspiring artists have asked themselves from time to time, and Eliza Maturan is no exception. After all, who doesn’t dream of pursuing their craft and achieving so much more with it? Well, long story short, Eliza’s time is now.

Proudly hailing from Surigao City, the 21-year old Eliza has been releasing music since 2018, finding considerable success with songs like “Paalam,” “Wag Muna,” and “Akala ko lang pala,”. In 2021, she officially made the move to Manila, intent on chasing her music-related dreams even further, devotedly performing at all sorts of gigs throughout the metro. While Eliza is certainly no stranger to the music scene, it was only this year — only a few months ago, in fact — that she finally made her own long-awaited breakthrough with her viral hit “Museo.”

Released only last April, the heartfelt ballad gained significant attention even before it came out, thanks to teasers posted by Eliza on TikTok. Following its release, it achieved even more widespread recognition thanks to the likes of her favorite BINI member Colet sharing the track on her social media on a couple of occasions. This took Eliza and her music to greater heights than she could have ever imagined, ultimately helping her achieve a couple of noteworthy milestones in her flourishing music career, including the major achievement of debuting on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 just last week.

With this, Billboard Philippines caught up with the rising singer-songwriter to talk about how “Museo” was brought to life, her reaction to BINI’s Colet sharing the song, the impact of her viral success on her everyday life, and more.

Billboard Philippines: First of all, congratulations on the success of “Museo!” How does it make you feel?

Eliza Maturan: Sa totoo lang, parang nakalutang pa ako ngayon. Ilang months na siyang rising, pero parang hindi pa rin nag-si-sink in hanggang ngayon. 

(To be honest, it’s like I’m floating right now. It’s been rising for a few months now but it still hasn’t sunk in yet until now.)

Kapag nagse-send [ng messages] ‘yung friends ko, ‘yung classmates ko na naririnig nila sa labas [‘yung “Museo”], parang nagugulat pa rin ako eh. Umaabot [siya] sa malayong lugar like, last night, may nag-send [ng message] from Quezon province. Tapos may nag-send [galing] sa Visayas ata. Pinatugtog yata sa resort kanina. 

(Whenever my friends, my classmates send messages that they hear “Museo” out in public, I still get surprised. It reaches far away places like, last night, there was someone who sent a message from Quezon province. Then there was someone who sent one from Visayas, I think. I believe it got played at a resort earlier.)

Have there been any instances of you personally hearing “Museo” in public?

Twice na siya nangyari! ‘Yung isa, nasa café kami ng band ko after a TV guesting. Hindi alam ng mga barista na ako yung kumakanta no’n. Tapos, next naman is sa SM Manila, narinig ko siya sa parang cellphone store. Nagulat ako. (Laughs) Sabi ko, “Parang familiar.”

(It has happened twice already! One time, me and my band were at a café after a TV guesting. The baristas didn’t know that I was the one who sang the song. Next was at SM Manila, I heard it coming from a cellphone store. I was surprised and said, “Sounds familiar.”)

Let’s go back to the beginning. What got you into music?

Lumaki talaga ako sa family na inspired talaga sa music. Like, distant relative ko si Diomedes Maturan and my grandmother was [the Department of Education’s] Surigao Del Norte music and arts supervisor.

(I really grew up in a family that was actually inspired by music. Diomedes Maturan was a distant relative of mine and my grandmother was the Department of Education’s Surigao Del Norte music and arts supervisor.)

May nakikita kasi akong memes sa Facebook na, kapag Asian family, either Kumon, singing lessons, music lessons, or ballet. Nasa apat lang. Ayun, halos kaming lahat sa family, pina-take ng piano lessons or guitar. Although, hindi lahat naging interested.

(I would see these memes on Facebook about how, for Asian families, it’s either Kumon, singing lessons, music lessons, or ballet. It’s just those four. In our family, almost all of us were made to take piano or guitar lessons. Although, not everyone was interested.)

Thankfully, isa ako sa mga naging interesado. So, nag-piano lessons ako siguro mga four [years old] tapos naging curious ako sa guitar. Feel ko doon nag-sunod-sunod na rin. Nagsimula talaga siya sa family.

(Thankfully, I was one of those who became interested. So, I took piano lessons when I was four years old then I became curious about the guitar. I feel that it continued on from there. It really started with my family.)

In relation to the previous question, who are your musical influences?

Nung nagsisimula ako mag-release [ng songs], ‘yun ‘yung era ng IV Of Spades. Until now, sa mga solo careers nila, when I meet them sa gigs, sinasabi ko talaga na naging part sila [ng dahilan] ng pag-pursue ko ng music. 

(When I first started releasing songs, that was the era of IV Of Spades. Until now, with their solo careers, when I meet them at gigs, I tell them that they were part of the reason for me to pursue music.)

You’ve been releasing songs since 2018, back when you were still a teenager. You eventually moved to Manila from Surigao City in 2021 to pursue your dreams in music. How would you describe your musical journey so far?

Feel ko naging malaki ‘yung progress ‘nya. Example lang, sa quality. If you listen to my old songs, I think may isang song na may manok ka pang maririnig dahil ako ‘yung naging wala akong pakialam if may gear ba ako [o wala]. Karamihan ng songs ko, talaga, sa mic lang ng earphones.

(I feel like its progress grew. For example, in quality. If you listen to my old songs, I think there’s one song that you can even hear a chicken because I didn’t care if I had gear or not. A majority of my songs, really, were recorded with just the mic of my earphones.)

Kahit ‘yung song ko na “Paalam” na, I think, nasa 1.1 million streams na, sa earphones lang ni-record. Naniniwala kasi ako na, minsan, wala sa gear. Kung gusto mo talaga, magagawa mo talaga.

(Even my song called “Paalam,” which is, I think, at 1.1 million streams already, was recorded with my earphones. I believe that, sometimes, it’s not about the gear. If you really want to, you’ll be able to do it.)

Take us behind the creation of “Museo”. What exactly inspired the song and what was it like bringing it to life?

Sa totoo lang, sobrang tagal [bago] siya natapos. Siguro, halos inabot ng isang taon.

(To be honest, it took a while before it was finished. It took about, maybe, almost a year.)

Una kong nasulat, chorus lang talaga. Naisip ko randomly ‘yung chorus sa dorm ko tapos tina-try kong upuan para ituloy isulat ‘yung verse pero alam mo yun? Writer’s block. ‘Di ko siya magawa. Eh kapag ganun kasi, hindi ko na rin pinipilit.

(The first part I got write was really the chorus. I came up with the chorus in my dorm then I tried to sit down so I could continue to write the verse but you know what? Writer’s block. I couldn’t do it. When it’s like that, I just don’t force it.)

So, I let the chorus sit lang sa phone ko for a while. Ilang months din inabot. Putol-putol siya. Chorus muna then, ilang months later, sabi ko, “Try ko ulit.” Tapos, ayun, naisulat ko naman, thankfully. Then, natapos ko na rin. Siguro, inabot siya ng ten months.

(So, I let the chorus sit in my phone for a while. It took months. It was in parts. The chorus first then, a few months later, I said, “I’ll try again.” Then, there, I was able to write it, thankfully. Then, I was able to finish it. It took about, maybe, ten months.)

Tapos, ayun, natutunan [ko] na rin ‘yung sa marketing, so I started to tease it sa TikTok siguro around February this year kahit April pa ‘yung release. Malaking tulong siya kasi ina-anticipate ng ibang tao sa TikTok. Kaya nung paglabas ‘nya, nakatulong din talaga yung pre-release campaigns.

(Then, there, I learned about marketing, so I started to tease it on TikTok, maybe around February this year even though the release was still in April. It helped a lot because it was anticipated by a lot of other people on TikTok. So when it came out, the pre-release campaigns really helped.)

Since the breakout success of “Museo,” what have been some of the most memorable moments you’ve had so far as an artist?

So far, siguro ‘yung nare-recognize ako sa labas. Which is, siyempre, hindi ko talaga in-expect kasi, ayun nga, hindi pa rin nagsi-sink in.

(So far, maybe when I get recognized out in public. Which is, of course, I didn’t really expect because, again, it hasn’t sunk in yet.)

[For] example, last June 29, I went to attend [the] BINIVERSE concert ng BINI. Kumbaga, I went there as a fan, as a BLOOM, to watch the concert. Pero, siguro mga six siguro yung nagpa-picture. “Uy, si ‘Museo’ ‘to! Si ‘Museo’ ‘to!” ‘Yun ‘yung tawag sa akin. (Chuckles)

(For example, last June 29, I went to the attend the BINIVERSE concert of BINI. Basically, I went there as a fan, as a BLOOM, to watch the concert. However, maybe six people asked to take a picture with me. “It’s ‘Museo’! It’s ‘Museo’!’ That’s what they call me.)

Tapos, natawa ako kasi nag-CR tapos may nagbubulungan na, “Si ‘Museo’.” Sumagot ako, “Narinig ko yun!” Tapos nag-pa-picture sila tapos sabi ko, “Sigurado ba kayo na sa CR tayo mag-pi-picture?”

(Then, I found it funny because I went to the restroom and there people whispering, “It’s Museo.” I answered them, “I heard that!” They asked for a picture and then I told them, “Are you sure that we’re gonna take the picture in the restroom?”)

Once, I think, one week ago, pumunta akong SM. Wala lang. Kakain lang sa labas. Tapos may mag-tatay na lumapit sa akin tapos sabi nung tatay, “Hello po, Miss Eliza. Nakilala po kayo ng anak ko. Pwede po ba akong magpa-picture?” So, nagulat ako. Nakaka-touch lang. Siyempre, dream ko rin yun eh, ‘yung ma-touch ‘yung life ng iba or marinig nila yung gawa ko.

(Once, I think, one week ago, I went to SM. Nothing really. Just to go out and eat. Then there was this father and child who approached me and then the dad said, “Hello, miss Eliza. My kid recognized you. Can we take a picture?” So, I was surprised. It’s just touching. Of course, it’s my dream after all, to be able to touch the lives of others or for them to hear my work.)

BINI’s Colet shared “Museo” on her social media last May, which has helped in introducing you to so many of your newer listeners. It’s also no secret that she is your favorite member in BINI. A lot of your fans online are even hoping that she will be part of the music video for “Museo” one day. How did it feel when you first found out she shared the song?

Sa totoo lang, napamura talaga ako eh! (Laughs) Naalala ko kasi nung day na ‘yun, nasa shoot ako sa Marikina. Gabi na. I think, mga 6 or 7 PM. Literal na nakangiti ako sa Angkas, Marikina hanggang Ermita.

(To be honest, I couldn’t help but swear! I remember that day, I was at a shoot in Marikina. It was night already. I think around 6 or 7 PM. I was literally smiling on the Angkas, from Marikina to Ermita.)

Iba kasi ‘yung interaction lang as a fan versus ‘yung alam nila yung craft mo. Sobrang saya and sobrang naging malaking tulong siya. Kasi, sa naaalala ko, before tinweet ni Colet, nasa [No.] 16 [‘yung “Museo”] sa [Spotify] viral chart. Tapos, pagkabukas, top 8 na siya [after i-tweet ni Colet]. Hanggang sa nung pinost [‘nya] sa IG [‘yung Museo], nag-No. 1.

(It’s because an interaction simply as a fan is different versus them knowing about your craft. It made me happy and became a really big help. Because, based on what I can remember, before Colet tweeted about it, “Museo” was at No. 16 on the Spotify viral chart. Tapos, when tomorrow came, it was in the top 8 after Colet tweeted about it. That was until she posted “Museo” on Instagram, then it became No. 1.)

With all of these in mind, what message would you like to tell Colet?

Randomly, nagti-tweet talaga si Colet ng Spotify links. Tapos nakakatuwa rin kasi mostly mga indie or underrated artists ‘yung mga pinopost ‘nya. Tapos, nakaka-amaze din kasi lahat ng tini-tweet ‘nyang songs, gumawa ako playlist — parang, “Colet’s Recommendations” — tapos biglang song ko ‘yung [pinost]. 

(Randomly, Colet would actually tweet Spotify links. It would make me happy because it was mostly indie or underrated artists that she would post. Then, it was amazing because all the songs she would tweet about, I made a playlist — like, “Colet’s Recommendations” — then, suddenly, it was my song she posted.)

Kaya ayun, if may message [ako], “Maraming salamat!” kasi ginamit niya rin ‘yung platform niya to help underrated artists para hindi ma-gatekeep kasi marami rin talagang nag-comment na, “Kung hindi dahil kay Colet, hindi ko malalaman ‘yung [‘Museo’].” Kaya sobra ‘yung pagiging  grateful ko sa kanya.

(Which is why, if I have a message, it’s “Thank you very much!” because she used her platform to help underrated artists so that they won’t be gatekept because there were a lot who actually commented, “If it weren’t for Colet, I wouldn’t have discovered “Museo.” Which is why I am very grateful to her.)

From when you first started making music to now with the accomplishments you’ve achieved with “Museo,” what has been the most important lesson you’ve learned so far —  both as a person and as an artist — that you believe your fellow young artists should also know about?

Natutunan ko sa journey na ‘to na may sari-sarili tayong timeline. May mga friends ako na nasa mainstream na. Before, nung nasa probinsya pa ako, nakita ko na nag-Wish Bus sila tapos nag-gi-gig na. To be honest, nung time talaga na ‘yun [iniisip ko], “Kailan kaya ako? Bakit sila lang? Ako, kailan?” Pero, along the way, natutunan ko talaga na kung kailan mo dapat matanggap, ibibigay ni Lord sa’yo.

(I learned during my journey that we each have our own timelines. I have friends who are already in the mainstream. Before, when I was still in the province, I would see that they performed on the Wish Bus already and doing gigs. To be honest, at that time, I was thinking, “When will it be my time? Why is it just them? When will it be me?” However, along the way, I really learned that whenever you’re supposed to receive it, God will give it to you.)

Nag-pa-tattoo nga ako na nakalagay dito sa arm ko, “At your own pace,” para maging reminder siya sa akin na we don’t have to rush things. Kung kailan mo siya matatanggap, matatanggap mo siya sa tamang panahon.

(I even got a tatoo on my arm that say, “At your own pace,” so that it will serve as a reminder to me that we don’t have to rush things. When you’re supposed to receive it, you’ll receive it in due time.)

Finally, what’s next for Eliza Maturan? What can we expect from you in the near future?

Ngayong July 30, meron akong solo gig sa Ayala Malls Vertis North sa Quezon City. Tuesday, 7 PM tapos free entrance. Encourage ko rin lahat mag-attend, lalo na yung mga nagco-comment sa TikTok na gusto rin nila ako mapanood live.

(This July 30, I have a solo gig at Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City. Tuesday, 7 PM and it’s free entrance. I encourage everyone to attend, especially those who comment on TikTok that they want to see me live.)

Sa future naman, may [new] single and, hopefully, may EP din. Tignan natin! 

(In the future, there will be a new single and, hopefully, an EP as well. Let’s see!)

Listen to Eliza Maturan’s “Museo” below: