“My hope is to make a positive impact and make others’ problems go away… even for just 5 minutes”.
Join me as I embark
on a transformative journey through art,
where we explore passion, community, and our human spirit's infinite potential, love & creativity.
“Hello beloved. Thank you for holding this space to get to know me and my artistic realm. I hope my journey brings you inspiration and hope, knowing that you too, have the power within.
My ancestors come from Scotland, France, the Philippines, Spain, and Brazil. I live in dynamic Los Angeles and historic Santa Barbara. In recent years, I discovered my increasing fascination with almost everything around me. The challenge lies upon catching up on all, making them infinitely tangible for everyone to en-joy. Join me in this transcendental journey.”
we are what we create
“Sweet and sultry, cerebral yet emotional. I have high sensitivity and empathy towards people from which can be viewed as weakness. But, as I continue to evolve in this temporary avatar, I come to realize that it is actually a strength. Everyday, I choose to hold the fire close to me, keeping me warm with the risk of getting burned again to continue feeling deeply, first for myself, channelling internal and external inspirations towards creation, then for others and the world around me. Thus, maintaining the strength to truly care. With this, I channel this perceived weakness in to my art and literature.”
VISUAL ARTS
beginnings with no end
”My fascination and inspiration to draw began in the most rough of times in childhood. On my 12th birthday, my father surprised me with a photo book of the Renaissance Arts. To this day, I revel in the likes of “The Birth Of Venus” by Botticelli, am intrigued by Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights”, and in absolute awe of Gustave Moreau’s “Salome Dancing Before Herod”, to name a few. With the use of oil pastels, I started creating with color amidst recovery from back surgery due to a sport injury. On the same year, my love affair with oil paint finally arrived. Needless to say, art has and continues to heal me from within, bringing me to distant lands without losing touch of my reality.”
MODELING
“I don’t take credit for my DNA but, I do take pride in caring for them best in my ability. Modelling saved my life through my struggles by pushing me to highten self-care practices in my daily life. It played a huge role in molding my sense of discipline in which I carry to this day.
Remember, no matter your form in any phase of your life, YOU are infinitely beautiful.“
MUSIC
HERE'S TO YOU DAD
Laela started singing in her late 20s in 6 languages. Despite her struggle with panic attacks after her father’s sudden death when she was 20, followed by her grandmother nine months later, she did not allow the shackles of sorrow and a lack of formal musical education hold her back from this newfound artistic pursuit. Subsequently, amidst her visit in the Philippines with an acceptable demo and, an amazing manager at the time, she signed a record deal with a major label, Sony BMG Music. Her 13-track album, “The Love Lounge” was recorded and released in five Southeast Asian countries.
BROADENING OF HORIZONS
As she continues to evolve in the performing arts, the honor of working alongside Sony, brought her to perform in exotic lands— from Thailand to Hong Kong, Jakarta, the Philippines, and Guam.
Moreso, Laela was a finalist in Radio Music Awards, nominated as Best New Artist, held a #1 single “Breakout” in an international FM radio station in Southeast Asia, amongst Mariah Carey and Chris Brown.
THE LEGENDS
Laela opened for John Legend in 2008 during his album launch “Unplugged”, accompanied by Thailand’s favorite artist, Tor+. Followed by a guest performance with the Vienna Operetta Orchestra, alongside composer Siegfried Andraschek, for the Ambasssador of Austria as the special guest.
SYNERGIES
In 2011, she ventured off solo, forming her own group, “The Blue Phoenix”, performing at the House of Blues, and Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles, California. Due to personal curcumstance, the group broke off in less than a year. Between a lack of committed accompanists and her heart-breaking personal tragedies, Laela was forced to put her passion for singing aside.
In the spring of 2023, returning from a 12-year hiatus, Laela was invited to perform in the World Art Day Celebration, by Artists for a Better World (see video section) in Hollywood, California. She was accompanied by an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, and former Music Ambassador to the United Nations, Crispin Barrymore.
Aiming to uplift
Laela would be honored to perform a live painting session, model, dance, or sing for and with you, together with her new LA-based ensemble, C’EST SI BON.
Book here for your next special gatherIng
Legacy ARTwear
An environment-friendly & unique wearable art
made with love.
Beautiful and one-of-a-kind designer hand-custom made clothing in Canada (dresses, tunic sweaters, kimonos, scarves, Palazzo pants), designed from original paintings and drawings, printed with water-based ink, vegan fabric* & recycleable materials.
A sentimental journey and a dream come true, Laela and her sister are sharing with the world. May it be for yourself to cherish, or a gift to a special someone, hopefully Legacy ARTwear will bring a smile to remember you by to last a lifetime.
*Vegan fabrics means choosing materials that do not use animals’ lives in the process such as silk, wool, leather and so on. By choosing vegan fabrics, you become a more thoughtful consumer by being socially & environmentally responsible and play an active part in making the world a better place.