Geca Morales: In Her Becoming
Long before the world taught us the limits of our imagination, as kids, we already dreamed about who we want to become when we grow up. During our younger years, we got a first glimpse of who we could be before doubt and pressure shaped our paths ahead. And as time passed by, some of us dreamers lived life according to plan or timelines, while some of us just lived in the moment and waited for our turn.
Geca Morales did wait for hers. Before she became the singer-songwriter that she is today. She was once a dreamer who waited for the right opportunity to release her own music and at the same time, a singer who is not a biritera.
Despite the uncertainty circling around her, Geca moved forward and took the time to hone her craft in songwriting.
Today, she continues to prove that waiting is not passive, rather it is a form of preparation for something more. She no longer follows a specific timeline or path, she now moves at her own pace in the midst of evolving her artistry.
Her becoming while finding her voice and identity
Singer-songwriters tend to find their strength at an early stage of self-discovery, but for Geca, it was completely different. Out of boredom and curiosity, Geca found her true identity when she decided to pick up a guitar not to impress anyone, but to express herself to the world around her.
As tedious as it can get, she spent most of her time crafting and writing her own songs that suited her style and capability as a singer, as seeking other writers can be costly.
“Mahal magpasulat sa ibang writers and mahal magpagawa in general….‘Yung nag-challenge sa akin na magsulat ng sarili kong songs is magsulat ng songs na babagay sa akin, babagay sa style ko, babagay sa kaya kong gawin. So mas napaglaruan ko siya kasi nakagawa [ako] ng song kung saan mas mapapakita ko kung saan ako magaling,” Geca shared.
While other students focus on studies alone, Geca was undoubtedly persistent enough to work on the things she really wanted to do while studying in college. She made sure to show up even when nothing seemed to be happening yet because she holds onto the belief that what’s meant for you arrives when you are ready for it.
In Geca’s words, “Naniniwala [ako] na waiting is a form of preparation. Kaya siya hindi pa binibigay sa'yo ngayon kasi hindi ka pa handa to face it. So... parang God is just waiting for you to be ready bago niya ibigay sa'yo ‘yung opportunities na nilaan Niya para sa'yo.”
Indeed, she was courageous and full of hope despite the inevitable moments of doubt that kept on creeping in.
“[For me], kaya siya pinagdadaanan, hindi mo siya tatambayan. [Na-realize ko] may reason naman pala ba't ko pinagdaanan ‘tong moments na 'to kasi… parang may nagawa akong something beautiful out of these things na pinagdaanan ko,” Geca explained.
Embracing her full self and owning her moment
Gone are the days of second-guessing every move or trying to fit in because now, Geca learned to quiet the noise and trust her own instincts. She is no longer chasing approval. Instead, she’s now defining her own direction.
That shift reflects in the way she approaches her music now, especially in her new song “ABANG.” It’s no longer about waiting to be chosen, but about stepping forward without hesitation.
She explained, “The story about the song actually is saying na ako na ‘yung [hinihintay] and ako ‘yung hinahanap ng specific person. It's like, ‘bakit pa kayo naghahanap ng iba? I've always been here all the time.’”
Some may find the message to be aggressive, but Geca explained that the song gives out confidence.
“For Abang, I want this song to… give out confidence. Parang ‘yung mas ma-feel mo ‘yung self mo, mas ma-express mo ‘yung self mo kasi mas ma-embody mo kung ano ‘yung things na meron ka or things na kaya mong gawin,” Geca shared.
Evidently, confidence is one of the traits Geca had to master alongside mastering her songwriting skills. Her hard work truly pays off as it opened a lot of opportunities, including her Idol Philippines journey in 2019, PhilPop x Himig Handog Songwriting Festival journey in 2023, and a recent award she received at Asia’s Influential Leader Awards Night where she also performed one of her songs “Apoy sa Labi” for the first time on a big stage.
With all the opportunities coming her way, it seems that her season has finally come. Geca confidently disclosed that this season, she is now her own boss.
“Ngayong season na ‘to, I'm my own boss. Ako na ‘yung nagsasabi kung ano ‘yung direction na gusto kong puntahan. Unlike before na parang ang dami kong pinapakinggan, ang dami kong mga opinions na kino-consider,” Geca shared. “So now that I'm more confident about myself, I can proudly say that it is my time kasi ready na ako to share to everybody who I really am,” she added.
In the end, Geca Morales’ story isn’t just about getting her moment. It’s more about everything it took to become ready for your time. The waiting, uncertainties, and the hard work in between that truly shaped the singer-songwriter she is today.
And maybe, that’s the whole point: dreams don’t come true on a fixed timeline. Rather, they grow and evolve, and when the time is right, your dreams meet you exactly where you are, all ready to embrace it.
ABANG
Watch Geca Morales’ latest single, “ABANG,” out now on Youtube. Now streaming on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, and more.
THE TEAM
Photography& Editing | Ian Nikko Manalo
Hair & Make-up | Kate Alfajora and Joanna Palacio
Styling | John Paul Steven Domingo
Fashion| NG Couture by Neil Lorenzo and Gelo Cruz
Artist Manager | Rose Ariane Pearl Lope
Studio | The QStudios
Video Contents | The Snap Collective
Cover Story | Bea Ulibarri
GECA WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING:
Smile Creations by Dr. Frank
Polished by Patty
THE PIPOL TEAM
Publisher: Richard de Quina & John Luke Chica
Managing Director: Inyi Yruma
Editor-in-Chief: John Luke Chica
Creative Director: Devon May Seron
Communications & Partnership Manager: Kyra Custodio- Alberto
Senior Writer: Beatrice Ulibarri
Multimedia & Digital Head: Sachii Del Mundo
Sales and Marketing Manager: Regino Rubi
Executive Assistant: Dreamboy Dubria, JC Bolante
Interns: Hailie Jade Cruz & Adrian Bonita
Finance Head: Mylene Dela Reyna
AUTHORS
Bea Ulibarri
Bea is a creative writer who starts her mornings with the news and ends most of her days with music. Beyond deadlines and drafts, she creates content that connects and sometimes makes people laugh when they need it most.
