Both songs are the results of her love affair with cellist Giancarlo Castrillo Gonzales (grandson of National Artist Eduardo Castrillo). "In September last year, after two years of going steady, I decided to break up with him as he's finishing his master's degree at the School of Music in Memphis in the U.S. I felt a long distance love affair won't work and I also got busy so it's best to end it muna. But while we were far apart, I realized I really love him. That's when I wrote 'Nasaan' and later, 'I'm Getting Over You'. When I learned he's having a graduation recital, I decided to fly to Memphis without telling him that I will attend it. He was shocked when he saw me and I said, okay, let's do this again. So ngayon, kami na uli."
The first time she joined Philpop. her song "Sa'Yo na Lang Ako" was interpreted by Karylle. This time, she's glad Philpop and Viva allowed her to interpret it herself. "I felt I'm the one in the best position to sing it kasi pinagdaanan ko talaga bawat salita that are in the lyrics of the song."
The 23-year old Lara is a voice major at the UP Conservatory of Music. "21 units na lang at ga-graduate na ko." She comes from a musical family and her brother Franco is currently the guitar coach of Sarah Geronimo and Piolo Pascual while they play musicians in their coming movie, "The Break Up Playlist".
Gherphil Flores of "Asia's Got Talent" is her classmate. They both used to be members of the group Operabelles. "I've never joined a singing contest," says Lara. "Songwriting contest pa lang ang sinalihan ko."
If the planets will align correctly for her on July 25, she might just be the grand winner in this year's Philpop. Our best wishes to Lara and all the finalists! May the best song win!
