Zelly is a singer-songwriter-musician, an enthusiastic risk-taker who likes to travel and go for adventures to make the whole world her “home”, turning her experiences into music.
One day, my friend told me about the artist who had worked with him a week ago. He said, she’s cool, friendly and has the same musical vibe as me and I will definitely like her. I listened to her newly released single “Wild Love”, I was fully transfixed then remembered that
I always wanted to meet people who have the same vibe as me, kind-hearted, deep, honest, and learn from their stories. I immediately approached her and introduced myself then I invited her to collaborate with me and my friend Norman Gio EyeShot Foto.
One of Zelly’s passions is traveling which solely influenced her music. Since 2016, she has traveled with her ukelele in Southeast Asia. She wrote a song called “Far from Home”, which she has played to different audiences across many countries.
She is able to adapt to different styles of music she enjoys because she is open to learning. Her musical journey has been a hell of a rollercoaster ride. It’s a lifelong journey of discovering more about her identity, thoughts, and emotions by expressing herself through music. Every lyric that she writes, tells a story.
“Wild Love is an inspiration
for my journey.“
“Wild Love” is a song she wrote during the beginning of the pandemic. She felt stuck at the moment until the sentence “If the world is ending, we are made to be here, I’m brave to be here” hit her. It’s about finding your calling, your purpose. “It’s connecting to your core (self) where you most feel alive. Loving yourself as well as loving someone that gives you inspiration to be whoever you wanna be. Life is a series of moments.“
Her 7-day trip to Sumba, an island in eastern Indonesia, inspired her to write the song. She went there with her Austrian friend. They were two female travelers diving into the sea, knowing less, it became a wonderful journey of “Wild Love”, as the adrenaline rushed.
After releasing her first single, “Wild Love”, it has been an achievement for her. She had worked on this song for almost a year. Now that it’s out, she is happy to hear that people love it, and how happy it’s relatable with their journey. That was her goal. “It’s not just about my story but your story too and what you’re going through”.
“I can turn my emotions into art.” She is very creative in a world pure of imagination.
She can turn her emotions into art. Talking about musical instruments, she can play the piano, guitar, harmonica, and some percussion instruments. “I carry my fairy lights with me wherever I go”
She always dresses up with a touch of various colors. According to her, she is very bubbly yet anxious. “I have faith in people. I always see good things in them”
As she continues to tell us about herself, she expresses that she is a kind of person who does not look at things in black and white. “I see the world in colors” she exclaimed. During her trips, she has experienced life in different ways.
She explores new places, cultures, cuisines, traditions, and norms, to be able to find deeper connections with people as she travels. Her lifetime friends would call her “a blue-haired fairy girl” because she carries a happy and light mood, finding a deeper purpose and a deeper meaning in life.
“My music taste is very wide”
As a multi-genre listener, Zelly appreciates the variety of music of what this world has to offer. She enjoys listening to tons of different types of music. Growing up, music has always been in her heart.
She began singing when she was 8. She enumerated her inspirations who are: Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, ABBA, Beatles, Whitney Houston, Alanis Morisette, Carpenters, Cranberries, and Taylor Swift. “Fifteen” and “Love Story” have turned her into a Swiftie. She was 14 when she got inspired by T. Swift, to write songs based on reality, until she traveled on her own, her own musical journey began.
“Discovering the infinite possibilities of music and being fascinated by how it affects people is how we celebrate the beauty, uncertainty and complexity of life” - Zelly
“Bali is a place for creative souls. A top destination for Digital Nomads. We became family here. It’s the most interesting trip I (have) ever been to. And will forever be my home” - Zelly
Zelly told us that her trip to Bali was never planned. She only ended up there to prove herself why she shouldn't be here. Her 2-week journey lasted for 2 years and felt like forever. She even adopted a dog. She named her Nutella. She always thinks that they are soulmates. Nutella kept her grounded (soulmates). She kept herself grounded only for her to find that she really wants to focus on her passion which is creating art in music. She found a community where she felt like she belonged.
“Every destination I’ve been to has their own unique features. Different cultures, different surroundings. I always love the idea of going to random places only to end up being one of the best trips ever. India , Thailand , Laos, Vietnam and Bali, in that order”. Having a bright and warm personality and love of nature, this gave her a path to go experience these places. "I love seeing jellyfish" she added.
“I am the map of my country and the citizen(s) of the world”
Zelly has 6 tattoos in total. Most of them are minimalist. Her first tattoo at the back represents the world and a paper plane. Being a spontaneous person, she can’t determine where she will be. One person asked her why she didn’t put the map of the Philippines instead. She replied, “ I am the map of my country and the citizen(s) of the world”. The ones in her hand were tattooed by Whang Od, “Signature Style” represents bravery and courage, beauty and elegance. Whang-od who’s now 105 yrs old is a living proof of the tribe's batok (hand-tapping) culture. “ Being the last oldest practitioner, she’s a legend! I admire her alot and (am) proud to be inked by her. The rest are history.” she exclaimed.
"Jellyfish maybe my faith, thought I died but I survived."
Zelly's Jellyfish tattoo is a story of surviving from being stung by a box jellyfish; calm and serene, its tentacles can deliver deadly stings, making it one of the most stealthy and dangerous creatures. "Who would have thought, out of thousands of people who visited the lagoon in Siargao called “SUGBA”, I’ll be the chosen one! I will just think this is some kind magic that I received. One of the most memorable one"
“Wherever you are you can always find your calling. Explore your passion. Everybody is different and everybody wants to know their higher purpose.
I want to let you know that it’s okay to not be like them. Life is a total rollercoaster and you just have to ride the flow. It’s true, life ain’t easy. Trusting yourself and your positive beliefs, the universe will provide.” - Zelly
“I’m going to remember you for a very long time, and I consider you to be one of the best people I’ve met this year. I always wish you to be happy, to be surrounded by good souls, to reach your dreams and all the best in life. Take care!” - JED
Credits to my best friend Frazile for helping me with the content.