The release of Moira Dela Torre’s “Malaya” five years ago was a chapter of new beginnings and dreams come true, with the poetic beauty and heart-wrenching melody of that track turning her into a household name in the local music scene. Then, she came up with the emotionally-charged “Paubaya” that made her the goddess of ‘hugot’ songs.
Now she’s experiencing another shift in the narrative, and as hinted in her conversation with the Magandang Buhay momshies, another ‘saksak-puso’ single to retell her current season – “a season na hindi ko nakita… kumbaga, wala ‘to sa plano.” She’s talking about her breakup with Jason Hernandez, whom she tied the knot with in 2019.
Her songs now parallel none other than her own love story, “Dati, akala ko ‘yung ‘Paubaya’ kanta ko lang, eh.” As in the narrative of “Paubaya,” she was also left with questions and doubts, “Sa lahat naman ng pinagdadaanan ko sa buhay, laging ‘yun ang initial reaction ko, eh. I always say, ‘What did I do wrong?’ Especially now, saan ba ako nagkulang? Tinatanong naman talaga natin sa sarili natin na saan tayo nagkamali, saan tayo nagkulang, hindi lang sa relationship, sa career.”
Life imitates art, they say. Akin to her songs themed as surrender, Moira sees hope in her brokenness, thanks to her solid faith in God. “I may feel like broken glass right now but God can make me a diamond again. I know I’ll be whole again. I know he’ll be whole again. Mag-fail man lahat sa buhay ko, I know God never will,” she said.
Even in her lowest moments, she believes good things still exist including love, especially God’s love, which gives her the strength to move forward. “Alam ko sa puso ko na true love exists. In my life, it may not be in human form but it exists in my life because God is with me. And because He is with me, I can forgive. Dahil may Diyos ako sa buhay ko, malaya ako.”
She’s turning to her faith and the comforting presence of friends. It’s a tough path ahead but with them, she knows she’s on the road to healing, “Ang galing kasi dito ko po natututunan na mabait talaga si Lord. Dito ko natututunan na pwede palang magsabay ‘yung grieving pati ‘yung healing. Parte pala ng grieving ‘yung healing. Pwede pa rin pala ako maka-experience ng joy sa umaga kahit umiiyak ako sa gabi. Pwede pa rin pala akong maka-experience na mahanap ‘yung sarili ko kahit nawawala ako sa gabi.”
On the days the truth came out, Moira was glad she’s with the right people – her Idol Philippines co-judges Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Chito Miranda, and host Robi Domingo. “Feeling ko po, if hindi Idol season, if hindi ako binigyan ni Lord ng mga kaibigan at barkada ko ngayon, I don’t think I would be as strong as I would have been. Sobrang perfect timing po ng pagdating sa akin ng mga tao sa buhay ko,” said Mora, adding that she was also struck by a series of losses at the time apart from her relationship problem.
“Pag-uwi ko, iyak ako nang iyak kasi sobrang nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord na, ‘Lord, kung ibang tao ‘yung nasa harapan ko, nasa tabi ko n’ung araw na yun, siguro hindi ko kinaya,’” shared she.
The new season of Idol Philippines is home to Moira, and her co-mentors are her family. In the episode, Moira and Regine spilled on ‘who’s who’ among the group. And apart from the fun revelations, we couldn’t help but smile seeing Moira glisten through the hurt.
No matter what season she’s in, Moira only hopes for better things ahead. Borrowing a line from the Bible, she expressed certainty that whatever the enemy intended for her bad, God can turn into something good and that He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Watch this episode of Magandang Buhay hosted by Regine Velasquez, Jolina Magdangal, and Melai Cantiveros, and be inspired by Moira’s beautiful strength, especially if you’re in a place of brokenness as her.