By Nash Schenzie Kei Morallos
“You cannot lose your identity just because you became a mom. Hindi pwedeng mommy ka na lang.”
— Princess Velasco
There is a quiet, unwritten expectation often placed upon women the moment they step into motherhood: the world expects them to softly dim their personal light to make room for a new life. Society frequently preaches that devotion requires complete sacrifice—and that sacrifice means shelving the dreams, creative passions, and identity built before children arrived.
For singer Princess Velasco, however, motherhood was never an ending. It was a profound transformation.
Looking back at her early career on ASAP and her rise with The Sessionistas, Princess acknowledges how much her relationship with music has evolved. In the 2010s, singing acoustic R&B covers was largely about hitting clean vocal runs and capturing a popular sound. But living a full life—raising three children, navigating marriage, and weathering the emotional seasons that come with both—changed how she holds a melody.
“Mas ninanamnam ko na ’yung lyrics,” she reflects. “When I read the song, I study the lyrics, I try to evoke the right emotions… Dati kinakanta ko lang, hindi ko masyadong iniintindi. That’s what changed.”
Motherhood did not diminish her art; it gave it a heartbeat. The life she leads offstage breathes raw truth into every note she sings on stage.
It Takes a Village (and a Set of Priorities) to Raise a Family
Behind the poised artist on stage is a mother navigating the same daily realities every parent understands. Balancing household demands, keeping up with her kids’ school schedules, preparing for major concerts, and pursuing new creative milestones requires an intricate daily juggle.
“’Pag tinatanong ako paano ko ginagawa lahat, hindi ko rin alam,” Princess candidly admits. “I just tackle each task one at a time. May mga nagsu-suffer… ’yung mga gusto kong i-declutter, hindi ko magawa. Saka na muna ’yan. You prioritize what’s important.”
Her message is simple and reassuring: it is completely natural if the house isn’t constantly pristine or if certain chores have to wait, as long as the hearts inside the home—including your own—are cared for.
She is equally transparent about her reality at home, giving full credit to the household help that keeps her home running: “May helper kami sa bahay, I’m not gonna lie… Kung wala sila, hindi ko ’to magagawa, ’di ba?”
For Princess, sustaining this balance relies heavily on her support system—her husband, their family, and the help at home. Her journey highlights how asking for help or leaning on people can be a vital source of strength for many families. At the same time, her story honors every mother’s unique path: whether a parent navigates daily life with a full village, relies on close family, or single-handedly manages the home through incredible independence and strength, every mother’s dedication to her family is profound.
Why Self-Care for Mothers Isn’t Selfish
For many mothers, stepping away from domestic routines to pursue personal goals can trigger a heavy sense of guilt. The world often whispers that time spent on yourself is time taken away from your family. Princess reframes this idea with grace.
While acknowledging how crucial a mother’s presence is during her children’s formative years, she strongly advocates for maintaining space for personal growth.
“You need something to draw from,” she emphasizes. “I had like a mini-crisis before… Parang, ‘Ano ba? ’Eto lang ba?’ But because of my support system, I’m able to do what I love to do. It nourishes me… it helps me become a better mom. Hindi ako masyadong stressed, hindi masyadong galitin when I’m able to sing. Na-re-recharge din ako ’pag kumakanta ako—it makes me a better person.”
By continuing her music, Princess isn’t taking away from her children; she is pouring back into them. To her three kids, she isn’t just a familiar performer on stage, she is a living example of a mother who honors her passion while loving them fiercely.
The Sessionistas Chapter
Just like a carefully curated playlist, a mother’s journey unfolds across distinct chapters and changing melodies.
Before streaming algorithms took over, playlists were made by hand and heart. We carefully burned mixtapes onto CDs to capture life’s defining moments—a first crush, a quiet heartbreak, or a rainy afternoon. Life unfolds in much the same way: a collection of thematic eras, transitions, and melodies.
As Princess prepares for the upcoming Sessionistas: The Playlist concert at The Theatre at Solaire on August 22, 2026, and gears up for her debut EP under Fire & Ice Entertainment, her current chapter reflects that exact sentiment. Joining her longtime peers Ice Seguerra, Sitti, Nyoy Volante, Kean Cipriano, and Juris, Princess returns to the stage with a richer tone and a matured heart.
“What we want the audience to feel when they watch us is that their heart is full, like the battery inside their heart has been recharged,” Princess shares.
The Playlist Continues
For any mother who feels overwhelmed or senses her personal spark dimming under the weight of routine, Princess’s journey serves as a gentle reminder: becoming a mother does not mean closing the book on who you were. It simply opens a magnificent new chapter—one where your voice can sound stronger, truer, and more uniquely yours than ever before.
Lighting your own candle doesn’t burn your home down; it warms and illuminates every room inside it.
As Princess Velasco steps back onto the stage, writing her own songs and singing with newfound depth, she proves that holding on to your identity isn’t done in spite of being a mother—it is done because of it.
###
Written by Nash Schenzie Kei Morallos, an aspiring media practitioner from Antique. Currently a third-year Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies student at the University of the Philippines Visayas, she is stepping into the global entertainment scene as a MYX Global intern.