Cover Anya Lagman in ‘Pagsibol’, the Goldenberg Mansion’s first musical and cultural event, last July 22, 2023
Anya Lagman in ‘Pagsibol’, the Goldenberg Mansion’s first musical and cultural event, last July 22, 2023
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Los Angeles-trained musician Anya Lagman’s compositions are products of her journey as a daughter, sister and Filipina composer
Music has been an integral part of Anya Lagman’s life. “I grew up in an artistic household,” she says. Her parents, Mike and Charmaine Lagman, played instruments in college. At age four, her sister inspired her and began her piano journey. At ten, she took up the flute, following in the footsteps of her older brother. At 14, she learnt the bassoon. Through the years, music for Anya has gone beyond just learning how to play; it was also a way of bonding with her family. “My siblings and I even formed a rock band,” she recalls. “We spent our free time rehearsing for upcoming school performances or jamming together in our music room.”
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No one understands her drive for music better than her family. Her parents support their children’s passions, attending every single event where they would perform. “Like when they flew across the world just to attend my capstone recital, Bayan, in Los Angeles,” shares Anya.
Above Anya Lagman and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in their element.
Anya Lagman and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in their element.
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The pivotal moment of her musical journey came when she encountered music composition. “My passion sparked after I composed my first film score inspired by Christopher Nolan’s Inception,” she says. “In writing my film score, my music teacher recognised my potential and offered me the opportunity to conduct my piece with the school orchestra.” From this experience, Anya developed a concrete foundation to formally begin her career as a composer at the USC Thornton School of Music where she graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Discovery and merit scholar.
Above Anya Lagman smiling for the crowd.
Anya Lagman smiling for the crowd.
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Having faced the challenges of breaking into the music industry as a female Filipina composer in Los Angeles, she stepped up by founding and producing filmUSiC, USC’s first student-led live-to-picture concert. The event showcased animation students’ films scored by composition students and performed live by an orchestra. It celebrated the diverse artistic talents present across the university and drew inspiration from the eclectic environment of Los Angeles.
“It was difficult to find my footing [as a Filipina composer] at first,” Anya confesses. “Fortunately, some organisations support representation in the industry, like Alliance for Women Film Composers [AWFC] and the Luna Lab composition programme.” Grateful for the network and communities she’s part of in Los Angeles and Manila, she enthuses that it is “inspiring to meet and be with female composers who are bringing more representation in the industry.”
Above Anya Lagman shares how honoured she is to be the first composer and musician for the Goldenberg Mansion series.
Anya Lagman shares how honoured she is to be the first composer and musician for the Goldenberg Mansion series.
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Like any other musician, Anya views her compositions as her primary form of self-expression. Her music is emotion-driven based on her curiosities and inspirations, no matter the genre or instrument. “In writing a film score, I draw from my experiences to evoke a specific emotion. In writing classical music, I draw from my conversations with myself, exploring phenomena I resonate with.”
Recently, she has been invested in using composition as a medium to explore the Filipino diaspora. “This personal interest grew from the influence of the pandemic on
my relationship with my home country,” she shares. “Returning to Los Angeles, I greatly appreciated my environment and upbringing. I spent my final two years in college creating works about the Filipino identity.”
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Above A proud FIlipina, Anya Lagman will continue compose works that pay tribute to Philippine culture.
A proud FIlipina, Anya Lagman will continue compose works that pay tribute to Philippine culture.
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I Am Mother is dedicated to Overseas Filipino Workers, and Balikbayan explores the effect of acculturation on one’s sense of identity. Mother Tongue delves into the historical origins of the Philippines’ national languages. She performed these pieces in Pagsibol at the Goldenberg Mansion as Malacañang’s first musical and cultural event that promotes and celebrates Filipino artists and musicians. “It is an honour to have my music brought to life in the Philippines, especially at the honourable Goldenberg Mansion, as it gives more meaning to the piece and its dedication.”
With music becoming more globalised, Anya believes it is important to celebrate one’s roots and encourage telling unique stories and backgrounds. “I have learnt to embrace my background as a Filipina and look outwards to the world to continue learning about other people and phenomena.”
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Photography: Sherard Yu
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
