Meet Beverly, the Filipina singer making her name in Japan

Did you know that a Filipina singer is raising our flag in the Japanese music industry?

You might have seen her name recently: Beverly, the artist who did an impression of Rufa Mae Quinto's catchphrases on Japanese variety show "Chidori's Oni Renchan" last May.

But that was not the only thing she did in the episode. Beverly actually flexed the Filipino throat chakra when she perfectly belted the Japanese song "Faces Places" in another segment.

If you are a fan of anime or Japanese series, chances are you already heard her voice. She performed "Again," the Season 1 opening song of the 2019 reboot of "Fruits Basket," and "I Need Your Love," the theme song of the 2017 drama "Crisis" starring Shun Oguri.

In celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month this July, GMA News Online exclusively spoke to Beverly via Zoom to learn more about her inspiring story as a Filipino artist who built a successful career abroad.

Beverly's beginnings

Beverly started her music career in the Philippines in 2015. She released a self-titled album under GMA Records, was nominated for an Awit Award for Best Performance, and received the Harvest of Honors award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in her short career here.

Back then, she was still known as Beverly Caimen.

She was managed by the iconic singer-songwriter Vehnee Saturno, who had the idea to make a Japanese client listen to Beverly's CD. That client then sent it to a Japanese producer, who was impressed with Beverly's talents.

The producer flew to the Philippines to meet the budding singer, who auditioned for him.

"Naniniwala ako na Japanese producer sila and stuff, pero 'di ko siya alam kung totoo ba o hindi, kasi very rare 'yung ganung opportunity. So parang, 'di ko alam—totoo ba 'to?"

Beverly said that the Japanese team did not communicate with her for a month, and so she thought that she did not pass the audition.

"After a month or so, nag-message ulit sa 'kin si Sir Vehnee na pupunta 'ko dito sa Japan para naman mag-record ng mga songs. In-introduce nila 'ko sa mga management company dito sa Japan."

Given the rare opportunity, Beverly decided to take a leap of faith to move to Japan to become a singer.

"Siguro 'yung time na 'yun kasi 'pag bata ka ang gusto mo lang kumanta—like personally, gusto ko lang kumanta—so anywhere kahit saan ako dalhin ng mga paa ko at boses ko, pupunta 'ko," Beverly said. "That was my main goal. Gusto ko lang kumanta."

"And at the same time, Japan siya eh, so malaking opportunity," she added. "So kahit mahal na mahal ko ang Philippines, nandiyan 'yung family ko, go na natin. I-risk na natin, kasi whatever happens, feeling ko, may magandang mangyayari."

A leap of faith

Beverly has taken that leap and has not looked back since. But with every leap comes its share of challenges, the major one being the huge language barrier.

"Pagpunta ko talaga dito, para 'kong alien. Parang naririnig ko lang sila pero hindi ko maintindihan kung ano 'yung sinasabi nila," Beverly said.

For two and a half years, Beverly studied Nihongo at a school.

"Pero feeling ko natuto talaga 'ko kasi I'm really surrounded with Japanese people so I really have to speak Japanese."

Although she is still yet to be completely fluent, she can now handle herself in everyday conversations. However, there are certain pronunciations that are a challenge especially during recordings.

"Although medyo same lang naman ang pronunciations sa Philippines at tsaka sa Japan, may mga pronunciations dito sa Japan na very unique sa kanila na mahirap sa tongue natin," she said.

"Kapag nag-re-recording kami, hindi ko siya ma-pick up agad-agad. And kahit ma-pick up ko siya, nagkakamali pa rin ako. Lagi kong iniiyakan," Beverly added. "Kasi 'yung producer ko, very strict about that. And I like it about him naman, pero s'yempre, nakaka-frustrate na hindi mo siya magawa. Na gusto mo mabigay 'yung best mo pero 'di mo siya magawa."

"Napaka-hirap niya sa 'king i-perfect."

Beverly also had to adjust to Japanese culture. She knew the basics, but it was her entry into the entertainment industry when she had come to understand it better.

She saw the Japanese people's organization and attention to detail, as well as their sensitivity to time. Another is the senpai-kohai relationship, or honoring one's seniors and using the right language with them.

"Hindi [mahirap 'yung culture] pero you just have to know it and kailangan mo siyang isapuso," Beverly said.

Another challenge for Beverly was her introverted personality, which made it difficult for her to make friends.

"Mag-isa 'ko dito tapos 'yung family ko nandiyan sa Philippines. So hirap na hirap ako na maghanap ng kaibigan talaga," she said. "I mean, mabait silang lahat, pero 'yun nga, hindi ko alam kung pano mag-open or parang pa'no pumunta sa kanila, or pano makipag-mingle lalo na merong language barrier."

Beverly also had to undergo various training sessions for recordings, dance, and vocals. Add to that would be the huge pressure she felt as somebody who moved to Japan for a music career.

"Sobrang malaking pressure siya kasi lalo pa kinuha ako sa ibang bansa, dinala ako dito," she said. "So for how many, years nag-training talaga ako. Sa ngayon naman, na-e-enjoy ko siya kasi I got used to everything na."

Beverly also admitted to being hard on herself. She said that she pushes herself more to make it to the top, but also knows that she has already made it in some way.

"At some point, nagkaroon din ako ng realizations na ang layo na rin ng narating ko," she said. "Ang dami ko na ring naging achievements nung nasa Philippines ako. 'Yung batang ako, nag-a-amateur singing contest palang, hindi ko naiisip na magagawa ko, nagawa ko na."

"You have to own everything na nakamit mo and isipin mo na deserve mo 'to," she added. "Sa dami ko nang achievements, kailangan ko nang i-acknowledge sa sarili ko na I've really made it. Of course, meron pa tayong gustong i-achieve pero ang dami ko na ring na-achieve and I'm really proud of it."

Making it

Beverly's career in Japan got a major push when she was discovered by Shun Oguri, the Japanese actor popular for his role as Hanazawa Rui in "Hana Yori Dango." Shun got impressed when he chanced upon her performance of Beyonce's "Listen."

"Nung nakita ko siya, sabi ko, 'parang nakita ko na 'to sa TV before,'" Beverly said. "Nasa GMA pa siya, 'yung 'Hana Yori Dango' tsaka 'Gokusen.'"

When they met, Beverly said, "Oh my god, I know you."

It was through him that Beverly recorded the song "Empty," the insert song for his drama "Crisis." He introduced her to the series' producer.

"Mabait siya. Sobrang bait niya. 'Yun talaga 'yung naging start ng career ko dito sa Japan," she said.

Beverly has also been a fan of anime and Japanese dramas since she was in school, like "Ghost Fighter," "Slam Dunk," "Hana Kimi," and "One Liter of Tears." Her recent watches include "Haikyu!!" "Blue Lock," "Spy X Family," and "My Hero Academia," with "One Piece" as her current obsession.

Little did Beverly know that she would end up singing for Japanese media one day.

"Grabe, nung first time na lumabas 'yung drama tapos narinig ko boses ko, para 'kong natulala," Beverly said. "Narinig ko 'yung boses ko, nasa TV siya—nasa Japanese TV siya. So na-excite ako."

"Crisis" also became a famous drama in Japan, so Beverly's song appeared on the charts.

"Malaking achievement din 'yun para sa 'kin," she said.

More achievements include singing "Endless Harmony," an ending song for the anime "Fairy Tail," and several theme songs for "Kamen Rider."

Beverly participates in the songwriting process of her songs, particularly the lyrics side of things. She and her team are connected to and collaborate with "amazing composers."

In the future, she hopes to write a song with Tagalog, English, and Nihongo lyrics.

"Kasi that's part of me. Kung sino ako as an artist, combination siya ng tatlong lengguahe na 'yun," Beverly said.

She also dreams of having her song for her favorite show, "One Piece."

"Sobrang adik ko talaga sa 'One Piece' ngayon. Kahit insert song lang. As in, isa talaga siya sa main goals ko," she said. "Sobrang laki niya kasi kaya mahirap. Pero claim na natin siya. Manifest natin."

Looking back on her roots

Beverly may be singing in Japanese now, but she never forgets where she came from.

When she did Rufa Mae's iconic lines in "Chidori's Oni Renchan," she was proud to show her Filipino side to the Japanese fans.

"Tuwang tuwa sila sa phrase na 'yun. So kahit saan ako pumunta, may mga live shows ako, pinapaulit nila sa 'kin 'yung 'Todo na 'to,' 'Go, go, go.' Tsaka tinatanong nila sa 'kin ano 'yung meaning," Beverly said.

"Nakaka-proud siya kasi Pilipino pa rin talaga 'ko eh, so 'yung ma-introduce ko sa kanila 'yung humor ng mga Pinoy, nakakatuwa siya," she added. "It's a proud moment of mine."

Beverly said she was so happy when Rufa Mae posted the clip on Instagram.

"Grabe, kilig na kilig ako. Icon siya, and also, ako, lagi ko pa rin siya pinapanood dito sa Japan kasi isa siya sa happy pills ko," she said.

Beverly also messaged the comedienne to thank her and hopes that they can collaborate one day.

Overall, Beverly's experience as an artist in Japan just proves that music is universal despite the language barriers.

"'Pag na-feel mo 'yung isang kanta, kahit hindi mo alam 'yung sinasabi, 'pag na-feel mo siya, 'pag nagustuhan mo siya, ma-ho-hook ka," she said.

She feels well-supported there as well, with Japanese people curious about her roots and goals as a singer.

More dreams

Despite her success, Beverly still has a lot of hopes and dreams. Her number one goal is to have a hit song, one that will chart for months. She also dreams of having a sold-out concert in Japan's iconic arena, Nippon Budokan.

As a Filipino, she wants to have a Tagalog song again and to have Tagalog versions of her Japanese songs.

"Gusto ko siyang pag-isipan nang mabuti, na masasabi kong akin talaga 'to, it's Beverly," she said.

And of course, Beverly wants to come back to the Philippines for a concert and to meet her supporters.

She was last in the Philippines in 2025 to perform at ToyCon, where she had been surprised to see that she has a following back home.

"Hindi ko lang akalain na meron palang ganung kalaki na inaantay talaga nila 'ko, na tinatawag nila 'yung pangalan ko para tumuntong sa stage at kumanta dun. Nagulat ako dun," she said. "Kaya ako na-inspire na, I think kaya naman palang mag-concert dito sa Pilipinas."

Beverly also has some advice for Filipino artists who want to have careers abroad.

"'Wag ka lang mag-give up. Mahirap siya, sobrang hirap niya, lalo na kung 'yung hindi siya English," she said.

Beverly also reminds artists to know and immerse themselves in the country's culture, but to never forget their identity as Filipinos.

"Kasi kapagka nawala 'yun, magkakaroon ka ng identity crisis as an artist," she said. "You have to know yourself more, alamin mo 'yung self-worth mo, and learn to adapt."

"Mahirap siya. Madali siyang sabihin," Beverly said. "Every experience, every journey is unique. 'Yung journey ko, 'yung magiging journey n'yo, magkaiba 'yun. Pero kung kilala mo sarili mo, kung kilala mo kung sino ka as an artist, hindi ka mawawala at hindi mawawala 'yung identity mo." —MGP, GMA News