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Lirah Bermudez admits to getting starstruck whenever she would perform with her longtime mentor, Philippine rap icon Gloc-9.

It's been almost eight years since Lirah first met Gloc-9 thorough GMA Network's defunct talent search show Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break.

However, Lirah said she still feels nervous and amazed at the same time when she shares the stage with the 42-year-old rapper, whose real name is Aristotle Pollisco.

“'Yan ang lagi kong kinakatakutang question,” Lirah replied in jest when asked about her working relationship with “Upuan” singer.

The 19-year-old music artist nervously continued, “Working with Sir Gloc-9 po kasi, paano ba yung word?

“Sobrang masaya po ako ngayon, at the same time, minsan nakaka-pressure kasi, siyempre, si Sir Gloc 'yan, e.

“Gaya nga po ng lagi kong sinasabi, every time na nakakasama ko si Sir Gloc sa mga shows, hindi pa rin po nawawala sa akin yung sobrang pagka-amaze ko sa kanya.

“Lagi pa rin akong napapa-wow sa mga kaya niyang gawin at mga kaya niyang i-rap.

“Sobrang nandun pa rin yung power, tumatayo pa rin yung balahibo ko.

“So, every time na nakakasama ko po si Sir Gloc sa gigs at kahit anong performance, feeling ko sobrang blessed po ako.”

Lirah also confessed that she's more starstruck now than when they first worked together.

“Actually, nai-starstruck po ako noong medyo huli-huli na kaysa noong una kaming nagkita.

“Kasi, lagi ko na po siyang napapanood na nagpe-perform, doon po ako talaga parang laging napapatulala, ganun.”

Lirah is currently being managed by Asintada, a talent mangement run by Gloc-9's wife Thea Pollisco.

Her first single under Asintada titled “Sahod” was composed and produced by Gloc-9 and Paulo Zarate.

Inspiration to younger generation of music artists

Meanwhile, Gloc-9 appreciates how young music artists like Lirah look up to him.

“Medyo nararamdaman ko na po ang edad ko,” he said.

"Pero I think, siguro dahil matagal na rin po ako sa industry, doon ko rin po nararamdaman 'yung worth na nailalagay ko sa craft ko for the past 23 years.

“I am very, very thankful sa respect ng fellow artists ko.

“Sana ay magawa ko pa ito nang mas matagal at sana ay maipasa ko rin, kung anuman yung mga natutunan ko, sa mga kasamahan kong artista.”

Gloc-9 and Lirah will be part of Padi's Barkada Bar Tour 2020, where they will visit different branches of Padi's Point from May to June 2020.

Also part of this tour are rap artist Shanti Dope, alternative rock band Sandiwa, and newbie singer JKris.