Jamming with Jerms

Being an artist isn’t necessarily defined by sticking to one medium - it takes exploring different elements to get the inspiration and stepping out of your comfort zone to find your creative corner in the world.

Taking this in stride is Jermaine Choa-Peck. Also fondly known as Jerms, or the .1% bacteria that Safeguard can’t kill, her passion for the arts is something that can’t be wiped away.

A singer-songwriter, producer, actor, and environmentalist, she’s a jack of all trades in her own creative way, and on her own terms as she delves into art forms not limited to music, looking towards her surroundings and nature itself.

To cap off Women’s Month, the team sat down with this multi-talented artist as she shared more about her creative journey, what she loves about art, music and her band - The Ransom Collective, and how she was encouraged to find her voice through her newest solo EP, Hiraya Manawari, through life and the support she had from her loved ones and nature.

Q&A

Before we start, introduce yourself and tell us something about you!

Hi! I’m Jermaine, but most people call me Jerms, and I’m a person who wears many hats. I’m a multifaceted artist, environmental advocate, and adventurous spirit. My life is a tapestry of creativity, passion, and purpose. I love life, and all the directions it leads me to!

From being the hypegirl and good vibes of The Ransom Collective, to the commercial kween portraying different characters (mostly related to food, ‘cos I love food, and it makes me so happy), to dedicating much of my life to causes that protect the environment and working on reforestation projects and the preservation of local ecosystems with the indigenous communities, restoring land and fighting against destructive practices - I always try to bring my love, my joy and fiery spirit to everything I do!

I’m also the .1% bacteria that Safeguard can’t kill, wahahah!

Photo Credits from Jermaine Choa-Peck and Zach Garcia

You’re a graduate of the Arts, in The Ransom Collective, explored theater, and even directed a film. What made you explore all forms of art, and what do you love about them?

I’m actually a graduate of Speech Communication from UP College of Arts and Letters, but tambay naman din ng Fine Arts, minsan for friends and the art! Life really is my passion and all the directions it leads me to. Each experience in the different forms of art I jump into is part of this kaleidoscope of life that I'm building!

I guess I’ve always been drawn to performance just like theatre, music, film, and even tour guiding, because I love sharing experiences and stories with people, and hopefully show them a glimpse of how I see the world around me.

Which of the fields above do you like best, and why?

Ahhh, it’s so hard to answer! I love them all the same. I feel like the other one cannot exist without the other, and I really try to incorporate all that I do in all fields. I guess what ties them all together would be music, ‘cos as a musician you also have to dive into all of the fields - from music to theater to film to fashion to creative design, you’ll have to explore lahat talaga!

What’s an art form you haven’t tried that you want to try?

Ohhhh, I’m a big fan of my friends who can create with their hands, painting, wood carving, pottery, and such, and I would love to learn from the amazing artists and friends I admire!

This is completely random, but we had to ask your take as a multi-faceted creative. We heard a famous actor say that no one cares about things like ballet or opera. What are your thoughts on this statement?

Omg, I’ve been so out of the loop, and I had to research what this was about, but I don’t agree, and I don't see why we have to say such a thing to any artist, as artists like ourselves! The people of the theatre are among the most talented, hardworking, and dedicated people in their craft. They put so much love and care into their passion, and they deserve all the respect!

Now onto music, how did you get into music in the first place, and what do you enjoy most about it?

One of my earliest memories of music as a child was doing karaoke at home with my parents, just having fun and singing along to VST and Company, Apo Hiking Society, Ice Seguerra, Jolina Magdangal, and all the Pinoy classics! Growing up, my cousins and I would write plays and songs to perform for the family, and join theatre plays in school and the music team in church.

But I never had any formal training, and my first official band experience was when I said yes to Kian [of The Ransom Collective] when he asked if I wanted to be part of a band, and the rest was history! I didn't know how to play any instruments when I joined, and I just learned how to play as we went along.

I love the community and the experience we share with the people I'm making music with, performing, and sharing the space with!

What’s your musical process? Any rituals or things you do to get into that flow state?

Before stepping into a studio session or writing session on my own, I make sure to take time to meditate, quiet my mind, and empty myself so that the vessel is ready to receive. Once the flow is on, I just ride it and allow for whatever to come out in the moment. I also try not to listen to music a day before going to a writing session in the studio to empty the vessel.

In terms of writing, I always carry a notebook with me so that I can write down any inspiration that comes to me at any moment, wherever I am, and I combine all these thoughts when I have to write full lyrics, but sometimes I also have these moments of writing full poetry and lyrics and then, turn them into music in the studio.

What’s your secret in getting through creative blocks?

Find joy in the littlest things - in the mundane! There's inspiration everywhere we look: we just have to change our perspective a little bit and find the beauty and joy in everything we do. Also, maybe instead of looking at it as a “creative block”, it might also be helpful to use this as a reminder to rest (like really rest, haha), and to let new inspiration come when it comes, because it will if we keep our hearts open!

What’s the best advice that someone told you?

Wahhh, I’m so lucky to be surrounded by the best people who always give me the most solid advice, but I guess my favorites would be these. My grandma would always tell me this phrase growing up: “Present moment!” To always be in the present and let tomorrow be tomorrow. She would tell me to close my eyes, breathe, and go back to the present moment. Another one would be from one of my favorite musicians, Tune-Yards, during one of the classes I took with her in the School of Song: “Break your heart open, and let the music be the gateway to connection.”, and a piece of advice that's guided me recently came from a good friend: “Shift your perspective from fear to love.”

Who are your creative influences and inspirations when it comes to music or life in general?

My friends! We are each other's supporters and cheerleaders in life and everything we do! I'm so blessed to have the best community around me who keep on inspiring me and holding space for me through everything that we go through in life.

You released your first-ever EP last year titled “Hiraya Manawari”. Walk us through that process and what inspired that?

I always knew I wanted to try and write my own music at one point in my life, but I had to face some fears and insecurities and fully accept myself before I had the courage to do it. There was this fire blazing in me, and I felt like I had to birth and share this part of my life. So, I started writing and talking to friends to help me produce, until one day, an angel friend introduced me to Kashira, and all my ideas started coming to life.

One of the main goals of this project was to find my voice and share my world through music, and we did just that! It was a beautiful collaborative work with them, and every song came out different but ending a cohesive sound and journey of Hiraya Manawari, of Jerms.

Through releasing my own music, I began to weave all the parts of me— my love for music, for nature, for performance, for story- into one rhythm, one offering.

Hiraya Manawari, aside from this being the Filipino TV show I grew up watching, is a Filipino phrase that translates to "may your wishes come true.” The EP starts with wishes or intentions I collected from friends, the indigenous community, people I met travelling all over the world, to put together to manifest all our hopes and dreams.

Tahan Na is a lullaby dedicated to all my friends, and everyone, including myself, going through tough times, and is a gentle yet powerful reminder that it’s okay to be lost, to sit with the discomfort of our emotions, and to breathe through life’s most challenging waves.

Alay sa Gabay is inspired by shared experiences of resilience, healing, and connection with the land, and an offering to the guides– ancestors, Mother Earth, and kindred spirits—who provide comfort and strength through life's challenges.

Hiwaga is a reminder of what real love truly means. Inspired by an unexpected love that came into my life, it captures the magic of connection and the beauty of leading with love.

The EP ends with Party Gubat, inviting everyone to come together, dance, and release all inhibitions, a collective outpouring of passion and hope, calling us to shout and break free and to come alive together.

Is there any genre you want to experiment with?

I don't want to be bound by a genre. For me, it’s less about defining a genre and more about capturing the raw emotions of the human experience. So, I would love to experiment with all of the sounds of the universe that shape my experiences!

How does the music you do with your band, and the music for yourself, differ?

Jerms is a full expression of my experiences and the many worlds I am part of. It's more of a vessel of these stories and messages that was meant to be shared with everyone who will resonate with it through me. The genre, if we had to define it, is completely different from the one we're used to hearing with the band; it doesn't have one definitive sound, free flowing of expression, and all is written in Tagalog to honor and share the beauty of our native language.

I guess it's another side of the happy, good vibes, Jerms from my band, but without the band, I wouldn't have the confidence to go and express myself fully like this. We help and support each other with our music always, and our solo music is for us to express our own true selves!

Photo Credits from The Ransom Collective

If you had to collaborate with anyone on your next album or on stage, who would it be, and why?

Ahhh, ang dami, but actually, I would love to collaborate with my bandmates Muri, Leah, and Lili. After our journeys of releasing our solo music, I'm curious to write and explore music with them and what sound we can create together!

What advice would you give to those who want to have their start in creating music?

Find and take care of your community. They're the ones who will be with you in this journey, and it's best to share your experience with the people around you! I've made the most amazing friends who are still here, cheering and supporting me and each other, in and through music!

Also, have fun and be as authentic as you can be to yourself. Find your voice, and share the story you want to share without having to think of trends or who to impress. Do it for yourself, and the right people will find you, and shine and share what you have to say to the world!

What can we look forward to next, Jerms?

I'm releasing a music video for Party Gubat soon, in partnership with Forest Foundation and directed by Paolo Moreno of Antevasin, and I’m so excited for this!

Q&A