Celebrity Life

Fact or Fallacy: Pregnancy can mess with your voice

By Felix Ilaya
Published July 5, 2019 10:23 AM PHT
Updated July 5, 2019 11:48 AM PHT

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'The Clash' finalist Mirriam Manalo shared the struggle she went through after giving birth that could cost her singing career in an intimate interview with GMANetwork.com.

Kapuso singer and The Clash season one finalist Mirriam Manalo just gave birth to a baby girl she named Layla Elleina last February.

Mirriam Manalo
Mirriam Manalo

LOOK: Mirriam Manalo gives birth to a baby girl

Little did people know that despite the joy Mirriam felt by being with her daughter, came a bout of depression when she lost her singing voice shortly after giving birth.

Mirriam shared the struggle she went through that could cost her singing career in an intimate interview with GMANetwork.com

"Honestly, nagulat ako kasi alam naman natin na biritera ako, mahilig akong bumirit talaga. So after I gave birth to my daughter, nawala bigla 'yung boses ko, nawala 'yung range.

"'Nung mga first few months, hindi ako makakanta ng kahit ano, kahit falsetto lang nahihirapan ako. Na-frustrate ako, na-depress ako, siyempre sanay ako na kumakanta ako na relaxed lang pero ngayon kailangan talaga mag-effort ka ng sobra.

"Sana hopefully bumalik na siya sa dati pero I'm not in a rush naman, ni-re-relax ko lang 'yung voice ko," she said.

But what was the cause of Mirriam's condition? After doing her research and asking others who went through the same ordeal, Mirriam found out that what happened to her is a common occurrence among other singers who just gave birth.

According to Mirriam, "Madami akong natatanong na ganoon nga raw 'yung nangyari sa kanila. Pero babalik at babalik daw but it takes time.

"When you bear a child, maraming naaapektuhan sa organs mo and everything and 'yung nangyari doon is nag-expand 'yung tiyan 'di ba? So nagkaroon siya ng muscle separation.

"Kailangan talaga ng proper exercise for that para bumalik sa dati 'yung muscle mo at doon, ma-su-support niya na 'yung pagbirit. Ngayon, talagang walang nag-su-support sa pagbirit ko dahil sa muscle separation."

Currently, Mirriam is undergoing vocal therapy and training to find her voice once more. "I'm doing voice training to use the other techniques I have.

"Before, 'pag kumakanta ako, chest tone and diaphragm 'yung gamit ko. Now, tinuturuan ako kung papaano gamitin 'yung head tone ko.

"Malaki 'yung disadvantage ['nung condition ko] pero at the same time, may mga advantages rin pala siya na na-realize ko at na-discover ko."

The singer is now feeling optimistic with her training and has accepted the possibility that her talent may never return.

"I don't want to take in a negative way kasi masasaktan lang ako, for how many years I've been singing powerful songs kaya ngayon, 'Okay Mirriam, it's time for you to slow down a bit, rest ka muna sa birit. Mag-isip ka muna ng ibang genre na kaya mong ipakita na nagagawa mo rin.'

"Mahirap tanggapin 'nung una but ngayon, let's just accept it and move on. Kung babalik siya, thank you, kung hindi, thank you pa rin kasi at least once in my life, na-experience ko 'yung gift na ibinigay sa'kin ni God," she shared.

But it seems that things are looking up for Mirriam! She recently sang the official theme song of the GMA Afternoon Prime series Dahil Sa Pag-Ibig titled "Ililigtas Kita" and released her first single, "Una Ka."

Mirriam Manalo releases debut single

We can't wait to hear more from you soon, Mirriam!