The free spirit learns to trust herself

She has always been a free spirit. And she broke her dad’s heart by being one.

Gianna Marie "Iya" Ginez couldn’t help it. She felt the first stirrings of the muse at 15, when Iya joined her first band, Juanitez. And because she did, headstrong Iya quit high school and left her native Pangasinan for Manila.

Her dad was heartbroken. And he tearfully asked her to return to Sta. Maria, Pangasinan.

Guilt-stricken, the daughter ended her stints at Bodega in Quezon City and went back home. Iya picked up where she left off, and her dad was happy.

End of story? Not quite. January last year, Iya packed her bags again and left her home against her father’s wishes, as usual.

This time, the reason was more urgent. Iya wanted to work to help the family. So off she went to perform in clubs along the Roxas Blvd. strip.

The casualty as usual, was her studies. Iya had to quit college when she was in sophomore year.

What she lacked in scholarly pursuits, Iya made up for in experience. Living on her own taught Iya the virtues of thrift and responsibility.

Now, she no longer spends on her every whim, choosing to save for the rainy days instead.

Still, this did not solve Iya’s self-esteem problem. Even after acting as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman since 2001, Iya still doubted herself.

So when Iya entered ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA), Master Jim Paredes took one look at the 21-year-old Iya and barked, "Trust yourself!"

So trust herself she did. Iya gave her last performance in the reality show, Sweet Love, all she’s got.

"I will make this song (an Anita Baker original) my own," she grit her teeth.

And Iya did.

Too bad she got evicted after spending eight weeks inside the Academy. In the process, she lost the chance to tour the world as part of the Top 6 list of scholars.

Iya’s first reaction was to cry. But she has now accepted her fate.

"Maybe the Lord has other plans for me," she reasons out.

Still, the free spirit in her can’t help but take note of some things.

"Freddie Aguilar (one of the judges) didn’t have negative comments about me. That’s why I wonder why I was evicted. Maybe it’s because some people say I’m a threat," Iya says.

Whatever it is, Iya won’t leave the Academy empty-handed. She has a franchise with Belgian Waffle and has guested on the show Up Late.

Iya is also open to doing an album – preferably soul – the better to put her alto singing voice to good use.

She will also welcome the chance to act in a TV series – like her good friend Kristoffer Abrenica, who is cast in the fantasy series Super Inggo.

Whatever happens, Iya will bank on her faith to see her through. A coral-colored rosary around her neck is proof of this.

"I make it a point to pray right before I leave the house," she reveals.

Iya may not say it out loud. And her playgirl reputation (not true, she protests, saying she only treats guys the way they treat her) may mask it. But make no mistake about it.

Iya Ginez knows her priorities. Her heart belongs to Jay-R Siaboc, another PDA scholar she left behind in the Academy after she got evicted.

And yes, her dad no longer thinks she’s wasting her life away. This time, he feels pride overflowing for a daughter who has gone through the fire and emerged, her head held high, her chin up.