Avid fans of JPop may have heard about our very own Athena Tibi, who got her break in the Japanese music industry when she performed at the ToySound event in Shibuya, Japan.

Considered one of the major events in Shibuya, ToySound is a new international music festival for electronic artists that fall into the growing space between pure DJ acts and full-on live bands.

Besides performing at ToySound, Athena had also been working on contracts with Japanese music labels Pony Canyon, Sony Music Japan, among others. She has already recorded nine tracks so far, and has been busy composing songs in Japanese.

She has also met other JPop stars like Crystal Kay and Tanimura Nana, as well as producer/composer JJ de Barrado and Chris Mosdell. De Barrado and Mosdell are known to have worked with international pop icons Kelly Clarkson and Michael Jackson.

But when the Philippines came calling, the trilingual singer-songwriter decided to put her promising JPop career on hold so she can concentrate on reprising role in the restaging of Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical.

Born in Manila, Athena spent eight years in Japan where she became exposed to JPop and also learned to love western music from artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato and Avril Lavigne. A natural performer with impressive vocal range, she has so far performed in popular musicals like Wicked, High School Musical, Legally Blonde and Much Ado About Nothing.

In the local scene, she is known for her performances in the daily soap Sarah the Teen Princess, and movies like Lastikman and A Journey Home.

Like a damsel torn between two lovers, Athena admits that she loves singing JPop songs and performing in Broadway type of musicals like Rivalry—two musical genres that sit on opposite poles.

 “Sometimes it’s really hard to switch from singing something JPop to Broadway, But I can’t help it. I grew up listening to JPop, and at the same time I love stage musicals because performing live is my passion. Being on stage and putting myself in my character’s shoes is something that I really enjoy doing,” Athena shares. Coincidentally, Athena’s role in Rivalry is about a colegiala who is torn between two college boys from rival universities, Ateneo and De La Salle.

Athena considers the opportunity to play the role of Reena in Rivalry as a dream come true. “It was my first lead role in a major production which happens to be an original Filipino musical Singing Tito Ed Gatchalian’s songs is like going to various adventures. The directorial team of Tito Jaime del Mundo also draws out the best in everyone, and the lyrics of Joel Trinidad is perfect for Broadway,” Athena enthuses. “I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the story because of its interesting plot. On top of that, the audience will be drawn by the performances of the wonderful cast whom I have now considered family.”

Rivalry will have its second run from January 25 to February 17 at the Meralco Theater.