Who's Defying Gravity?

A collaborative article by Jillian Frances Ferraris and Dayanara Buensuceso

Modjelen Misme as Glinda the Good in UPV Choristers' Wicked.
Photo by Agape Torres.

“I feel like I should go home,” said Modj when asked how she feels toward people’s reaction saying she was really the ‘highlight’ of the show.

You have seen her as Glinda the Good Witch in UPV Choristers’ successful play, Wicked. Believe us when we say she has more talents than what she claims to offer.

Humble, unique, happy-go-lucky & talented best describe Modjelen “Modj” Misme. We never really got to know her until our little interview and we immediately liked her for being this adorable little ball of sunshine.

Other than being the Good Witch, Modj is also a Communication & Media Studies student in UPV and like us, her life isn’t exactly all sunflowers and rainbows.

“My parents died when I was young...the only memory treasured ko gid nga nagaremind sa ila is music,” she shared.

She lost her father, a church leader, due to cardiac arrest when she was seven years old. Three years later, her mother also passed away. Since then, her aunt took care of her and has found home with her and her three cousins who act as her siblings.

Coping was never easy but she said that music was her only reminder of them. She clearly remembers how her mom and dad, both musicians, introduced her to music. “My dad would make me sing everyday in front of his friends at the age of four.” Ever since, music and singing became symbolic to her. Every time she sings, she never feels like they died at all. Music is her link to them.

With inspiration and passion, Modj continues pursuing music. The sweet talkative girl even admitted that through constant self-taught singing lessons, she was able to develop this unique singing voice.

She further revealed that she watches Youtube videos to train herself after finding out from Austin Kleon’s How to Steal Like An Artist that imitation is key and the next is to simply make it yours.

Other than singing, Modj is really into theater, hence her debut performance in Wicked. One feedback she wouldn’t forget was from a little girl who messaged her on Facebook complimenting her on how good she was. Apparently, the little girl was also into theater in her school.

Amusingly, Modj appears to be the best epitome of Glinda the Good. She’s so into it that you’d immediately love her character. “The funny thing is every time I do theatre work they don’t remember me as Modj but as the character.” She muses. It’s easy to note though that what sets her apart is that Modj is true, good and she’s defying life’s gravity. 

Photo by Agape Torres.