Ate Karmi is one of the best drummers I've ever known in my life. She's actually the best among all female drummers I know. She's our church mate before. Noong nasa kid's ministry ako, napapanood ko na siya na pumapalo at kumakain ng drumstick. Lupet kasi!

She entered UST to study Music, but a year later she auditioned and transferred to UP to pursue her studies, majoring in percussion. In this age she was exposed to different kinds of percussion instruments--the marimba and timpani to name a few (she even named her dogs after these instruments).

She was given opportunity to play drums for different artists like Richard Poon, Sam Milby, Yeng Constantino, Acel van Ommen, Barbie Almalbis and Kitchie Nadal. This opened doors to more opportunities for her as a sessionist drummer. Jack Rufo, one of the country's guitar legends, opened an audition to play for him on drums for a new band called Novus Luna. Out of the many who gave a shot, she emerged and given the chance to be the band's drummer. Together with Jack, Gareth Somers on bass and Margaux Gavieres on vocals, this band is now active and starting to make "noise" on the local music industry.

In October 2010, Yeng Constantino and Acel van Ommen collaborated on a couple of original compositions they felt it would be great to perform through an all-girl project band. Acel then asked Karmi, who is her drummer for her solo project to come on board to this project band they call "Sesa" together with Julie Samonte of Blind Stereo Moon on lead guitar and Edrei Olarte on bass.

She's able to conduct workshops and perform on worship events and music camps in Thailand, Taiwan and Canada through Musikatha (JIL's JAM).

I just actually got her profile at her FB Like Page: https://www.facebook.com/KarmiSantiago

Get connected and  know her story through this link:
http://mymindinrandom.blogspot.com/2010/11/vol-2-post-4-karmi-is-my-most-liked.html

[7 Questions with Ate Karmi Santiago]

1) Kuya Marlon: Kailan at paano ka namulat sa musika?

Ate Karmi: Maaga rin kami namulat sa musika. Yung magulang kasi namin mahilig makinig lalo ng classical music. Sa musical instruments naman noong grade six kami. Nagkataon lang na karamihan sa batch namin ay inclined sa music. Ang una kong banda ay noong grade six ako. Gitarista pa ako noon.

2) Kuya Marlon: Sa lahat ng musical instruments, bakit 'drums' ang napalapit sa iyong puso?

Ate Karmi: Well.. Siguro sa lahat kasi ng musical instruments, yung tambol yung sandigan nung banda at the same time siya rin yung tibok ng puso ng banda although hindi naman din siya yung frontliner. I love working behind the scenes.

3) Kuya Marlon: Sino si Ate Karmi sa isang normal na buhay?

Ate Karmi: Isa akong anak, kapatid, guro, at maaasahan na kaibigan.

4) Kuya Marlon: Ano ang pinakagintong aral na natutunan mo pagdating sa musika? 

Ate Karmi:  Do your best and God will do the rest.

5) Kuya Marlon: Anong maipapayo mo sa mga kabataan na nagnanais na pumasok sa kapareho mong mundo at industriya?

Ate Karmi:  Masasabi ko lang sa mga bata, kilalanin niyo yung mga seniors natin sa industriya para pag andiyan sila, makapagbigay pugay tayo. Kung wala sila, wala tayo. Know them, kasi kailangan natin ng model at mentor. Sila lang yung makakapagturo sa atin kasi napagdaanan na nila yung pupuntahan pa lang natin. Respeto yun eh. Malaking factor yun. Di lang puro talent. Kasama rin yung attitude. Dapat marunong din talagang makisama. Sabi ni Eugene Domingo sa Wasak Interview niya: "Know your history para alam niyo kung saan kayo papunta". Pangalawa, magset ng goal para alam mo kung saan ka papunta.. Pangatlo, alamin ang mga hindrances sa goal mo at iwasan ito.. Pinaka importante, magdasal palagi.

6) Kuya Marlon: Kung may isang bagay tungkol sa iyong buhay na nais mong malaman ng mga kabataan, ano ito?

Ate Karmi: Hindi ako perfect. Maraming beses na rin akong sumablay sa buhay at maraming beses ding bumangon. Nagpapatuloy pa rin sa buhay, natututo at marami pang dapat matutunan.

7) Kuya Marlon: Kung ikaw ay ihahalintulad sa isang musical instrument, ano ito at bakit?

Ate Karmi: Siguro drums na rin ako. Hehe! Kung mapapakinggan mo kasi yung typical na tugtugan, yung drum talaga yung support, backbone, and background din siya. Steady lang kasi personality ko. I'm not a born leader. Kung merong pwedeng manguna na iba, sila nalang pero I make sure na nakasupport ako lagi sa leader ko.