Manila, Philippines — In the vibrant nightlife of BGC, voted as Female DJ of the Year, Dara Carmina, captures the spotlight not only on club flyers but as a DJ whose vibrant energy is infectious to the crowd of partygoers and also to the people she dearly holds close personally. Humorously referred to as ‘small but terrible’, her presence on stage is anything but small.
Off the stage, however, Dara’s personality takes on a whole different hue. “I’m an introvert and an extrovert,” she explains. "I usually stay at home when I don't have shows because I love being a mom. However, when I'm out for work with friends, I become that 'kalog', fun-loving friend if you get to know me well."
Dara shares that one aspect of hers that often surprises her audience is her age. "People often overlook my actual age. At some gigs, especially in casinos, I still find myself needing to verify my age to the extent that I always have my ID ready." This youthful appearance belies the years of experience Dara has accumulated in her career.
Since becoming a mother, balancing her personal life and her work as a DJ has been a constant challenge for Dara. However, she has learned to find joy in her work, acknowledging that “burnout is real” in the industry.
"Finding the balance between being a parent, managing numerous responsibilities, and nurturing my career—since this is my livelihood—is not easy," she admits. "However, what I have learned is that if you make an effort to enjoy every moment of your work, it won't feel as hard or tiring."
Dara's career trajectory has been chiseled from her personal life without an attempt to distinguish between professional and personal personae. "Much of my motivation at work stems from my personal life experiences,” she reveals. “I would not be where I am today if I had not integrated the lessons I learned in my personal life into my career."
When asked how she wishes to be perceived, Dara's response is refreshingly straightforward: "I don't really wish to be perceived in any particular way. I'm essentially an open book; what you see is what you get." It's this genuine approach that has earned Dara the respect and admiration of her peers and fans alike.
Her refusal to be pigeonholed or constrained by expectations is a testament to her strength of character. What makes Dara more inspiring for the new generation of aspiring DJs and young females striving to just be their own girls is her openness and honesty admitting to having challenges and more she is yet to meet head-on in being a working mother within the industry.
"Finding the balance between being a parent, managing numerous responsibilities, and nurturing my career—since this is my livelihood—is not easy. However, what I have learned is that if you make an effort to enjoy every moment of your work, it won't feel as hard or tiring."
As Dara Carmina forges ahead, her story reminds us that the price of success in the entertainment world need not be paid by one's self-identity. By seamlessly integrating her multifaceted life experiences into her craft, she has carved out a niche that is uniquely her own - a shining example of the power of embracing one's true self.
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