THE past five years, singer-actress Geneva Cruz has been blessed and single. Life has been good for her and her daughter, London, now ten years old.

“For many, many years, I wasn’t open to love and all that jazz,” Geneva admitted. “I haven’t really discussed what happened with my relationships, although my life has been an open book.

“I feel that it’s my story. It is my truth. Therefore, it is also my choice. This year, I feel like giving l-o-v-e a chance. I’m just grateful that I’m here now in my strong, but soft girl era. It feels good to get introduced to my feminine side anew.

“I have opened my doors and myself to love again. I always feel that love and romance make people happier. I thought I was a superwoman. But hey, even a superwoman needs a superman.

“I thought since 2020, my heart was already closed, but I’m here and I’m just really happier. I want to see if I will still be inspired.”

The new guy in Geneva’s life is not from showbiz, but a national athlete in jiu jitsu (Dean Roxas). “He’s here (in the country) and I’m very, very proud of him,” said Geneva. “He inspires me to be better in life. I receive positive reinforcement from him.”

She didn’t expect to find love at this point when she’s 48. “Love comes when you really don’t expect it,” allowed Geneva. “I always say I’m happy for many years in the past. I’m just happier now. That will make my Christmas different this year.”

Geneva is happy to be directed anew by Smokey Mountain alumnus Jeffrey Hidalgo, her friend for a long time who previously megged her other music videos in the past, like Sinungaling.

“Kami ni Jeffrey, we’re like playmates when we work together,” Geneva said. “Which is good because I’m so grateful with our work – singing, acting, performing – seems like playing for us because we are able to make other people happy. The feeling is great.

“I guess Jeffrey is one of those people who was also in my past life. Whatever happens and whatever we do, we just clicked and we respect one another. Our friendship has always been there.

“Kaya namin kulitin ang isa’t-isa, pero ayaw din naming lubayan ang isa’t isa. The respect is there and we have fun all the time. I’m stuck with him and I’m glad.”

Geneva ushers in the holiday season and recently wrote a catchy and upbeat Yuletide song, When Christmas Comes, which she penned for only an hour.

From writing the lyrics, her good friend, Dan Gil, one of the students of maestro Ryan, created the melody.

“Ever since I was a kid, Christmas has been my most favorite time of the year,” asserted Geneva. “That makes me happy. Whenever I feel a little sad, I listen to Christmas songs or watch Christmas movies even if it’s not Christmas.”

Writing another song is both easy and hard for Geneva. “To some, it is easy to write a song when they are broken-hearted or going through something emotional,” she explained.

“But based on my experience, I wrote something about peace at the time when I was feeling low. I guess I’m really inspired now.

“Maybe I’m in love. I’m in love with life. I’m in love with love. I’m grateful for this year. I have received a special gift that I wasn’t really expecting. Writing a song about love.”

In the music video, Jeffrey made it snow in Quezon City, although it didn’t look like it was shot here in the Philippines.

“The peg that we used was Central Park,” disclosed Jeffrey.

“I’ve always been a huge Christmas fan,” admitted Geneva. “I love the traditions, movies, music and what it stands for – love, peace and joy for everyone.

Through the past holidays, Geneva continues to romanticize Christmas for all its usual trimmings and trappings.

“I’m pretty old school,” she mused. “I’ve had wonderful memories of Christmas. My parents, especially my late mom, made the holidays special for my sisters and me.

“She cooked the most delicious food and took us shopping for new dresses and shoes, which I used to keep beside me while I slept.”

Love apparently motivated Geneva to finish a song that she penned. “I discovered the perfect inspiration and along with my passion for Christmas, everything just came together,” she disclosed.

“Last year was my first attempt at creating a Christmas song, so I reached out to my good friend Dan Gil, but we couldn’t create anything. Creation is all about inspiration and timing. I guess the timing wasn’t right then.

“Fast forward to this year. I went to Dan’s place, sat in front of his computer and started typing. After I wrote the song, he worked on the melody and arrangement, and When Christmas Comes was born.

“I love When Christmas Comes because it’s very catchy. Not because I created it. I think because the lyrics are pretty cool and the very high school-inspired. The peg is my journal. I’ve been journaling since I was eleven years old. I’ve kept all my journals.”

Apparently, When Christmas Comes wasn’t Geneva’s first attempt at songwriting. “I’ve composed some songs that have been part of my past albums, starting from my first solo album when I was 15,” she offered.

“Some of the songs I included were Love Can Wait, which I wrote in my first solo album, I Like You. The song was written by a 14-year-old girl and the album was released when I was 15.

“There are To Manila, Love Is Here, Set You Free and Peace. Writing has always been an outlet of mine. I’ve written and composed the melodies on my unused files.”

Christmas for Geneva this year will be intimate with her loved ones and family. “I find Christmas eve to be intimate with the people close to me, including London and my sister.”

The Smokey Mountain alumna is proud of her daughter, London, who took after her singing which the latter imbibed when they lived in the US West Coast for six years.

“Ever since London was a baby, she had been watching me, so she got used to singing, too,” Geneva shared. “My mom showed her my videos with the Smokey Mountain and maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

“London’s singing talent got manifested early on. The same song which I performed when I was only three years old, the Lea Salonga version of Tomorrow, London started singing that at age three or four, she had been singing Tomorrow on top of the table.

“She looks at me so much that I have to be careful of the life I’m leading because London will follow everything I do. I have to set a good example for my daughter.”

Geneva, who is a proud reservist sergeant of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command, is a mom of two. Her eldest, Heaven Arespacochaga, her son with former Introvoys member Paco Arespacochaga, is now 28 and also based in the US.

Geneva’s Christmas wish is for the country is to stay safe, in general. “When you are a mom, you will also think about the welfare of your children,” she said.

“That they should always be safe. Also my family. I know this answer might be for the Miss Universe or Binibining Pilipinas, but we always wish for world peace, a better world.”

In April 2025, Geneva is preparing for her 35th year in the business and she will mount a concert at the Music Museum on April 4 and 5.

When Christmas Comes is available on Spotify, Geneva’s official YouTube, Instagram and Facebook platforms.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio