Meet Filipino singer-songwriter, Clara Benin.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I write songs and sing them with my acoustic guitar!

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I was born and raised in Metro Manila, moved to Bacolod in high school, then moved back to the metro for college. After graduating from college, I moved back to Bacolod for a year of rest from all the noise of the city life and now I am back in the city. Bacolod is very laid back and is full of tall trees. Metro Manila is loud, bright, and full of noisy cars. I like that I got to experience living in two opposite places because I got the best of both worlds.

I write songs and sing them with my acoustic guitar!

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing about Manila—you’ll never run out of things to do and places to eat. Worst thing—the bad traffic!

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

(There’s) room for everyone!

How did you start your career in music?

The internet. I was too shy to sing in front of people so I started posting covers online that I’d record in my bedroom by myself.

I was too shy to sing in front of people so I started posting covers online that I’d record in my bedroom by myself.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes. I’m blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who support my pursuit in music.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I would love to travel and perform more outside of my city.

I would love to travel and perform more outside of my city.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

John Mayer or Imogen Heap!

How would you describe the women around you?

I’m surrounded by such creative and beautiful women—my mom, my sister, and my best friend/manager, just to name a few.

I’m surrounded by such creative and beautiful women—my mom, my sister, and my best friend/manager, just to name a few.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Sadly, no.  Maybe it’s because creatives here weren’t active on social media when I was growing up. I do wish I had a local female creative to look up to when I was growing up, I would’ve been able to relate more with them compared to western creatives. But I’m really glad young girls these days can easily connect and relate with each other through social media.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I started performing quite young and I would be the opening act to male rock bands and it was a challenge to be the only female act in the line up because I felt like I wasn’t being taken seriously. The music scene here has always been predominantly male artists, which is difficult at times, but I think it is also the reason why female artists in the music industry—at least the one that I’m in (which is indie), are extremely supportive of each other, which I find very encouraging.

Stay committed to your dreams and surround yourself with people who believe in you!

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Stay committed to your dreams and surround yourself with people who believe in you!

Photos courtesy of Joshua Elefan.