The ‘tricky’ relationship between Lauren Dyogi and his daughter Lian

Not a lot of people know that “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) producer Laurenti Dyogi has a daughter who has been performing in gigs and writing songs for Kapamilya artists for quite a while now. She simply chose not to use the “Dyogi” name, lest she be accused of riding on its popularity.

For years, she merely went by the name Lian Kyla. This was even while she wrote songs for the all-girl pop group Bini (“Here With You,” “Kapit Lang”) and the five-member boy group BGYO (“Rocketman”). She cowrote the “Darna” theme song and wrote the single, “Pag-Ibig Ko’y Panalo,” for comedienne Kakai Bautista. She also wrote and recorded over a dozen songs like “Saya,” “Space and Time” and “Unang Hakbang” under the Star Music label.

“There have been discussions on whether or not to use the Dyogi name. This year, she said, ‘I think I’m ready to embrace it,’ and I had nothing to do with it. I told her, ‘It’s your choice. It’s your name. You may or may not use it,’” said Lauren, who is head of TV Production of ABS-CBN, in a recent virtual chat with Inquirer Entertainment.

“I never forced her to do something she’s not comfortable with or ready to do. I’m aware of what she would be facing once she enters show biz. It’s a very challenging environment,” he pointed out. “Yes, there are benefits to being in this business, but it’s difficult to stay here. It’s not for everyone.”

While there are a lot of benefits to being the daughter of Lauren Dyogi, Lian said it also has its downside. “It’s difficult in terms of finding quality time. PBB started when I was 10. He got so busy that he would even spend Christmas at the PBB house. Also, there’s pressure, especially when people recognize you. They would ask me, ‘Are you the daughter of Lauren?’ Once they know, there’s this feeling that you are being watched. That’s why I always strove to do my best so people will have nothing negative to say. It was only recently when I thought of changing my name to Lian Dyogi because I’ve already accepted that it’s just part of who I am.”

Lauren announced that Lian, his only child with wife Lisa Magsaysay, would be leaving the Dyogi home soon. For two years, starting this September, Lian will be taking up her master’s in electronic and produced music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

“There’s a big possibility that she’ll be based there after she gets immersed in that country. This might be expensive for us, her parents. At least, we only have Lian to spend for. Growing up, she had her educational plan, too. She studied in UP (University of the Philippines), so tuition is low, and she graduated magna cum laude, so she was also able to collect something from her educational plan as a prize,” Lauren stressed.

Lian Dyogi

No live performances

One wonders what will happen to Lian’s local music career once she leaves for the UK. “I was talking to Sir Jonathan (Manalo, creative director of ABS-CBN Music) about it. He said, ‘You will not stop.’ There’s no intention to drop my music career here. It’s just going to be expanding. I will be living in two worlds. I will still write songs for other artists, but there will be no live performances for now. I’m happy with it because I enjoy working in the studio. I would never give up being the artist, but I’m more than happy to be involved in the production side of music making,” she declared. Lauren, meanwhile, offered his two cents’ worth about the benefits of going digital. “It’s one of the positive results of the pandemic lockdowns. We learned how to work online. I think it would be very beneficial to our music industry that some people are studying abroad and expanding their expertise, so that when they come back and work with local artists, they will bring with them more knowledge and experiences that we will not acquire here so easily,” said Lauren, who is also head of Star Magic, ABS-CBN’s talent management arm.

He then shared with Inquirer Entertainment his dreams for Lian. “There are very few female music producers globally,” he began. “About only eight percent,” Lian interjected.

“Hopefully, the pitch Lian submitted would get her a scholarship. It’s all about gender inclusivity and us Filipinos being a minority,” he declared.

Hearing Lian’s dad talk this way about his daughter could add a lot of pressure on any daughter’s shoulder, but Lian seems to be used to it. “He’s always been a big dreamer, ever since I was in high school,” she explained. “His motto is, ‘Expand your mind. Explore possibilities.’ He always pushes me to reach my highest potential. He told me that this should be my goal since I grew up not having to worry about my basic needs anymore.”

As much as possible, Lauren said he tries not to discuss work-related issues with Lian. “We’re alike in a lot of ways— we’re both very sensitive—so this causes us to clash, sometimes. This is why I’m also careful to make comments about her work, so I just relay all my concerns to her manager in Star Magic. I don’t want my comments to become too personal,” he began.

Lian agreed and said: “It’s really about him as an executive helping me as a talent, versus him as my father, whom I would expect comfort and support from. It’s kind of tricky.”

Lauren added: “Sometimes, you just don’t want to talk about work when you’re with your family.”

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