Anja is Viva's new bet

MANILA, Philippines - Anja Aguilar makes it no secret how much she looks up to Sarah Geronimo. “It’s because she’s a total performer,” says Anja (pronounced as Anya), the newest talent of Viva Artists Agency, which has also been managing the multi-faceted career of Sarah G.

Anja has a petite frame, sweet demeanor and looks which according to the media, who attended the intimate presscon that launched her self-titled debut album, reminded them of Sarah.

Released under Viva Records, her album is also made up of ballads, which is also the genre that jumpstarted the career of her idol. And just like how Sarah broke into the industry, Anja was introduced to showbiz by winning a singing contest (ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star in 2006).

With such similarities, Anja was asked if she’s ready to be constantly compared to her idol. “I’m ready naman po,” says the 19-year-old singer, adding that Sarah’s fans are supportive of her. 

“Yung mga popsters (Sarah’s fans club) parang tinatawag nila akong little Sarah, little sister of Sarah,” she shares.

But while she admires how far Sarah has gone, and how her career has taken off on various platforms to include hosting and acting aside from performing and recording, Anja stresses that she’s no copycat. “She’s my biggest idol, but I’m not trying to copy her,” Anja says.

Anja is not exactly a newcomer to the music biz. After winning Little Big Star, she became part of the song-and-dance, all-teen group Pop Girls (also under Viva) but Viva big boss Vic del Rosario apparently saw the potential of Anja to embark on a solo career.  

She has already scored acting stints, starring in some episodes of ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya — one notably with Piolo Pascual (wherein she played someone in love with an older guy) while the most recent one was last month with Kim Chiu; they portrayed sisters suffering from cancer. She now appears in ASAP Rocks.

Anja is the eldest in a brood of five. Her mom is a housewife and her father is a businessman. Even as a kid, she dreamt of becoming a singer. Right now, she’s a graduating Masscom college student at AMA on a scholarship she also won from Little Big Star.

 Her album features a classy remake of Willie Revillame’s Wiltime Big Time song I Love You. She also plays the guitar and likes writing songs, which she hopes to showcase in future projects.

Meanwhile, Anja is singing original materials written for her by award-winning songwriter Vehnee Saturno. Her voice comes clean and strong in such songs as When, Nasaan Ang Pangako, Di Bale Na Lang, Ako Para Sa ‘Yo, Magic Of Love and the carrier single, To Reach You, which is now enjoying airplay on FM stations.