Julie Anne San Jose shares how music set her 'Free' during the lockdown

We all watched Julie Anne San Jose go from "Little Miss Philippines," to promising singer-songwriter, to becoming the one and only "Asia's Pop Diva."

After this stunning metamorphosis, the Kapuso singer-songwriter sat down with GMA Digital to talk about her new song "Free" and how it's more than just another catchy summer tune for people to dance to.

First of all, Julie Anne has never presented her fans with such a fast-paced pop song (and with an elaborate music video and dance routine to match).

Julie Anne also co-wrote "Free" with the hope of spreading good vibes to those who have been feeling trapped by the fear, stress, and sadness brought by COVID-19.

"Ang tagal na nating pinagdadaanan ang pandemic and it has affected all of us in different ways and we all need that good distraction to feel good kahit, pa paano, and know that through this song ay ma-feel good sila and makalimutan nila yung worries nila," Julie Anne said.

[We've been going through the pandemic and it's affected all of us in different ways and we all need a good distraction to feel good. I know that listeners will feel good and forget their worries for a bit, just by listening to the song.]

"It's also one way I guess of you know making ourselves feel better and yeah mas parang mas magiging optimistic tayo pag may naririnig tayong light tsaka masaya," she added.

[It's one way of making ourselves feel better and we can become more optimistic when we hear something light an fun.]

Julie Anne admitted having her own share of dark times during the lockdown, but she couldn't help but feel inspired by all the life lessons and stories of resilience that came about over the past month.

"We have people who are close to you binibigyan mo lalo ng halaga. You give more energy and effort to the important things," Julie Anne said in Filipino.

"Madaming bad things na nangyayari. Maraming naapektuhan ng virus…maraming nawalan ng business, ng work. Alam mo 'yung parang nag-stop yung mundo? But as we all know kasi ang mga Pilipino, napaka-resilient natin, and we should always think about good things..." she added.

[So many bad things have happened, so many people have been affected by the virus — so many businesses folded up, so many people lost work. It's as though the world story. But we all know Filipinos are resilient and we should always think about good things.]

Despite the song's upbeat melody (and a surprising rap verse from Julie Anne), the entire song leads up to one positive reminder: "Clear your mind, set it free."

"We can't get married to that feeling na, 'oh hindi ganito na ko' forever. We can't be like that. Lets all have a good outlook, a good vision in life, just be optimistic and makakabangon naman tayo ulit," Julie Anne said.

"Free" and its captivating music video by director Miggy Tanchanco and title designer Katrina Alcazar has captivated thousands of viewers, and even sparked a #FreeDanceWithJulie dance challenge on TikTok. — LA, GMA News