ON SPOTLIGHT: Bernadette Saquibal

MetroVan Independent News featured Fil-Can artist

Bernadette Saquibal
Singer/Songwriter & Actress

With just a suitcase and a guitar, Bernadette left it all behind – her family, a house, a good job, a serious relationship and her pets. She left the seemingly predictable small town life of comfort to pursue her dreams in music.

Born in Calgary, Alberta but raised in the northern coastal town of Prince Rupert, BC, Bernadette Saquibal’s perspective on life changed forever after a good friend of hers was tragically killed in a car accident.

Soon after, Bernadette moved to Vancouver, BC and took residence in a Commercial Drive apartment right across from Cafe Du Soleil. “I heard it was the best open mic in town,” she says and was soon hitting up open mics seven days a week.

This was short lived however, because after only a few months of settling in, her father had a sever stroke. “I dropped everything and flew out to Calgary to be with the family.”

Years later in 2011, and already a mother of a 3 year old toddler, Bernadette was approached on the street in Kitsilano after a workout by a casting director. “At first I thought it as a hoax,” she recounts. But it wasn’t. She went to a callback, booked the part then was soon on set. “My acting career happened fast,” she says and her musical ambitions were pushed to the back burner. Bernadette booked a commercial, a role in the TV series Alcatraz and landed the lead role in the film Cruel & Unusual.

MetroVan Independent News had the pleasure of speaking with the singer/songwriter and actress:

When did you get started with singing and writing music?

I always enjoyed singing, but this was mostly during times I was alone. I remember locking myself in the bathroom singing songs on repeat when I was around 6 years old. I also enjoyed writing a lot of poetry.

As a surprise and a goal for myself, I approached a History teacher after school who I knew was a great musician and could compose music. I asked him if he would be open to help me with composing the music for a song I wrote for the Graduation Ceremony. After singing him the song acapella, we met again so that he could record me on a portable four track tape recorder. He was then able to produce a beautifully, composed backing track to my song.

After my Graduation speech, the principal announced that I had a little surprise. I remember walking to center stage, standing at the mic, waiting for the tape to play, and then the song being over.  A waterfall of tears ran down my face that I could not control.

The lights turned up in the venue and everyone was standing, and as I turned back toward my seat on stage, I realized the whole graduating class was standing, too.

What inspires you in your music?

Raw emotions inspire me to write. It may sound cliché, but the tough times and the ones that pull the deepest of emotions get me to want to write something. Lyrics flow the easiest and most efficiently when I am connected emotionally

How did you get started acting?

My acting career started in a very interesting way. I just finished a workout at the gym and was crossing the street toward local restaurant in Kitsilano, when a woman approached me. I assumed she was going to ask for directions, but instead she asked whether I would be interested in auditioning for a role she felt I would have a chance at getting. Feeling a bit spontaneous, I agreed. Next thing I know, I have filled out a form, and am being filmed up against the exterior of the restaurant

About a week later, I received a phone call saying I had a “call back”. I had never acted or knew anything about the acting industry at the time, so I had no idea what a call back entailed. This is when the fun began.

I knew absolutely nothing, to then walking into my first official audition room, being asked to ‘slate’ which I did not understand, being asked to dance on cue to a panel of observers, then being sent on my way was the weirdest thing. Another week goes by and then another phone call saying I booked the part. I was then given ‘call sheets’ for being on set.

I was asked to try on my outfit in a trailer. I missed that I had to make a left at the end of the trailer to find the change room. Instead I opened the door into the PA room and almost started to change with people sitting around.

A fellow actor made sure I understood what I needed and gave me a bunch of advice such as not to eat the food that may get stuck in my teeth before the shoot. He was a Godsend. When we wrapped, he mentioned that I should really try getting into the industry and he believed I really had a chance.

The following month, my agent sent me out for my first official Film & TV role.  Surprisingly again, I booked the part!  It was for the TV series Alcatraz.  As a result, my biggest achievement in acting was landing the lead role in CRUEL & UNUSUAL. My acting career happened fast. I have so much left to learn, but have been blessed to have met the people in my life who have given me advice and taught me about the industry.

What has been the biggest obstacle that you’ve faced in your life?

I could say that my life has been filled with many hardships, from heartbreaks, family illnesses, struggles with self-confidence, recovering from physical injuries and being involved in an unhealthy relationship

In saying all this, ultimately my biggest obstacle to date and still continues to be, simply having me stand in my own way sometimes.

I have been through many painful events, but at the same time, I have been blessed with many great ones as well.

What motto do you live by?

I have a few mottos I live by, but a few that stick out:

• Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.
• Take what you strive for seriously, but not so much yourself.
• Don’t let anyone know everything you know.

What would your dream project?

To be able to reach a point where I felt I was well equipped and knowledgeable enough to produce, write and create songs that were being placed around the world would be a definite pinnacle in my music.  I love Eminem and admire his mastery of lyricism. Even without a collaboration and simply getting to meet him would be stellar as well.

As for acting, I would love to write a script for a feature film and have it come to life. This would definitely be a dream project.

What should we be on the lookout for from you this year?

This year my main focus is continually honing in my songwriting. I enjoy writing and will be aiming to complete my first EP finally. I will be collaborating with a long time friend and producer “VAGO” for some of the songs for my catalogue.  And although he does not know it just yet, producer Winston Hauschild.

I need to write and write much more. To develop a catalogue as well with a focus of pitching to Film & TV. As mentioned, I love to sing for the sake of losing myself in a song, but even more so, my passion truly lies in the writing process.

The journey never really ends.