Beyond the Music: Meet Chanty the Vitamin C of Lapillus

Meet Chanty. A Filipino-Argentinian teen model and actress with stunning visuals and a beautiful voice. She was one of the first members to be announced for Lapillus and debuted as the visual and face of the group.

We sat down with Chanty ahead of Lapillus’ Latin America promotions to talk about her family, lifestyle, and future aspirations. Meet the “Vitamin C” of Lapillus as she answers our questions below.

Hello! Thank you for taking the time to speak to OK-What. Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi everyone. This is Chanty of Lapillus. It's nice to meet you, everyone.

How has being an actor influenced your stage performance?

I learned work ethics, which helped me have a more professional view of my job. It’s helped me learn how to prepare myself for performances and that every project we work on is always a good opportunity for our group. It’s helped me have a more positive and professional view of everything I do. I feel like I’m really grateful that I’ve had that experience.

Having a large family, what’s it like having only brothers older than you and sisters younger than you?

Well, I feel like it’s a lot of fun! I mean, they are the only family I know. I have four older brothers, and I feel like that has helped me with character development in a way. You know, because we are a big family and chaotic. We are pretty loud. We grew up in a very positive and value-filled home setting. I feel like it’s been enjoyable, and I’m really lucky. Although I have four brothers, when they have girlfriends, that means I’ll have older sisters, too. And then, in the far future (not now because my sisters are still young), when they get boyfriends, then I’ll have younger brothers. I’ll be able to have both (older sisters and younger brothers). Isn’t that cool?

Describe where you grew up. It sounds like a different world from where you are now.

I had my childhood in Argentina as I grew up there, even though I was born in the Philippines. When I was around nine years old, I moved back home to the Philippines. I would say that I grew up with a mix of cultures, which helped me with how I view my job and my passion. It’s also helped with my career, considering that I’m working in a different country and must adjust to a different culture. I feel it's like having two mindsets and two cultures in my head. I grew up with those (cultural) values, which helped me understand different perspectives.

How do you prepare for a performance?

We practice our performances at least a week before we perform. When we don’t have that (time), we still give our best to practice at least a day before we perform, even if it’s like midnight or at dawn. I feel that’s the main thing we do to help us build confidence on stage. I feel all of the members are supportive of each other and work hard to help each other. We say things like, “It’s okay. Even if you make a mistake on stage, although you shouldn’t, if you make a mistake, just act. Just give it your best and have fun on stage so that our fans will have fun watching us. We make sure to prepare our minds.

Last year, Lapillus won the “Focus Award - Music” at the Asian Artist Awards. How does it feel knowing you’ve been recognized quickly as rookies?

I consider it a blessing for us because we can receive such recognition at such a fast pace. It’s terrific since it’s honestly been just a few months since we debuted, and we have such an award. It’s a blessing, and I feel I’m most grateful to our fans, who did their best to support us from the start. Even now that we’ve won an award, I’ve always felt their passion and drive to give us their best and help us shine wherever we go. I’m really grateful.

If you could have any musician (not just a K-Pop idol) as your mentor for a day, who would it be and why?

There are so many seonbaenims that I l would like to learn from. I’d love to learn from Mariah Carey. She’s not just an outstanding singer. I don’t think I’ll ever be on par with her, but she’s someone that has been in the industry for a long time. For her to have such a good reputation and be a good role model to everyone is amazing. Not just people from back in her time, but even now, the younger generations still look up to her. I would love to learn from her and hope to receive lots of good advice from her.

What is one of your favorite songs of hers?

One of the songs I listened to a lot is Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” Also, “When You Believe,” the one that she did with Whitney Houston. 

You started working as a commercial model in 2016. What motivates you to keep striving in your career? 

I feel like I’ve said this a lot, but I’ve always looked up to Barbie since I was young. She inspired me to become an actress, a pop singer, and many things. From a young age, I’ve enjoyed being on stage and in front of the camera. It has become my passion. Just the idea of having a bigger platform and being able to be someone to inspire the youth and to show their talents is an excellent thing to do. I’d love to do this for as long as I can.

Who would you pick if you could be the face of any brand in the world?

Any brand? I mean, there are a lot of luxury brands out there. So to have the opportunity to be the face of at least one of them would be really nice. I don’t know, Louis Vuitton? Chanel? YSL? Am I dreaming too much?

No, dream! Reach for the stars!

Yeah, then that’s possible. It’s within reach, right?

What is your favorite episode of ChanSha’s World and why?

I’d pick where we ate street food and went to Korea’s famous…like in the Philippines we call it a palengke…
Street market?

Yes. A street market where we talked about our trainee days and how hard it was. We spoke more personally, and I feel that’s the episode I like the most.

How would you describe your style?  Has it changed being surrounded by all of these stylists and veteran K-Pop idols?

So far, I don't think my style has changed in fashion. Although I kind of learned techniques and a bit more of how to style myself as they do. My style has always been more of the simpler side. Although I try, I don’t like to wear too many or pop-py colors. But, like white, I feel is my color. I want to wear something that feels neater and more classy. My go-to outfit is like just a little bit of accessories and a plain top with jeans all the time.

Finish these sentences: 

My favorite word/phrase is: I wanted to pick a cooler one, but all I can think of is “Chanty dog in the house! Swag!”

I’m really passionate about:  Sharing my talents and being a good role model.

The top three places I’d love to visit are: I'd love to visit Argentina. Mexico and Miami.

On a rainy day, you will probably find me . . . You'd probably find me on my bed chilling.

Three songs currently on my playlist are: 

Charlie Puth “Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS)”

LE SSERAFIM “ANTIFRAGILE”

NewJeans “Ditto”

Lastly, can you please share a message for Lapis.

First of all, I will never stop being grateful to our Lapis for all the support they’ve given us and for always working hard to provide us with this amazing award, tangible or online. I’ve always seen them try their best; even their loving comments and posts on the Internet are their edits are fun. It means a lot to us. We feel their love all the time, and I’m grateful. As a Lapillus member, I will always work hard to give really cool performances all the time. I will be the best Chanty with Vitamin C of Lapillus and hope that will always bring them a smile on their face. I hope and love to be their happy pill and a positive burst of energy.

Would you like to leave a special message to your fans in the Philippines?

To our Filipino fans, I would love to thank you all for your support, po, and all the love not just to me but to us as a group. I will do my best as a Pinay, a half Pinay, to raise your flag. Yah! I hope that everyone will have the courage to do the same. Fighting!

You can follow Lapillus on the following platforms: 

Official Twitter | Member Twitter | Official Instagram | Member Instagram | YouTube | TikTok