Star Music artist Cool Cat Ash, also known as Ashley Aunor, made her 26th birthday extra special as she also launched her new album, I Find Love So So Weird, at Academy Rock PH in Quezon City on October 25.

“Kasi di ko iniexpect talaga na ilalabas ko itong songs na ‘to in the first place,” Ash told PUSH.

She also expressed how her Star Music family helped her after she wrote her first song “Break Rules.” “Star Music actually encouraged me to write more songs.” She added, “I’m really happy they supported me.”

She shared that her inspiration behind the album was “finding that love anywhere,” which she did during her “self-reflection era” during the height of the pandemic.

Among the 13 songs she wrote, produced, and arranged in the past three years for her album, Ash stated that her favorite is the song “2009.” 

“Medyo personal,” she said when asked why is it her favorite. “(It) reopened wounds [about] how I felt during the time my parents divorced.”

ON FINDING LOVE THE COOL CAT ASH WAY

Although the album may look a bit “lovey dovey cheesy type,” the singer said that she was not into the romantic type of love at the time.

“Medyo allergic ako sa romantic love to be honest.”

Ash admitted that she had a kind of “puppy love” during her teen to college years.

 “I thought I was in love pero ayun pala more on puppy love.” She added that at some point it was “more on peer pressure.”

 “I think when I look back at it now that I’m 26, I realize that it really had nothing to do with me being in love with someone,” she expressed. “I’m just looking for validation. I love the chase but when it’s over, nah.”

She also reasoned, “I feel like I’m too scared to fall too deep.”

Although she is “scared of being vulnerable and too intimate with anyone,” the singer also said that she is also ready to open her heart to anyone.

“Maybe with the right person and maybe in a way na no mixed signals,” she added. “I (will) date to marry.”

ON FINDING LOVE FROM FAMILY

When asked about her sister, singer Marion Aunor, Cool Cat Ash said that there is no competition or rivalry between them.

The siblings both founded their own music production house, Aunorable Productions despite them having different type of genre in music.

“Siya yung sa writing part ako yung sa technical part—engineering, areglo,” Cool Cat Ash explained how the two complement each other.

She also said that her mom, Lala Aunor, is her idol and that she would be happy to write a song about her.

Ash explained how she wanted to push boundaries even if her family name already has its place in the industry.

“I wanna make my own mark as well as my own, as an individual,” she said when asked why she does not use her real name.

Her sister Marion also expressed her belief in her talents. “I’m so proud of you. I hope you continue to make your mark and just be your authentic self.” 

ON FINDING LOVE IN THE INDUSTRY

Ash said that her biggest dream and goal as an artist is “to spread advocacy of self-love” to others through her music.

“Sana magspread yung music ko from the Filipino market to the worldwide market,” she wishes.

Her “Mataba” single has already garnered attention as it tells everyone to embrace authenticity and spread love and kindness.

“When you’re kind to yourself, the kindness will overflow to others,” Ash explained.

Ash also expressed her dream collaborations, with artists like Ed Sheeran, Sampaguita (she has already done a cover of their “Bonggahan” song), and anyone from her Star Music family.

She also expressed that she would be very open to have a collaboration with her celebrity crush, Daniel Padilla, and write about his journey with his reel-and-real life partner Kathryn Bernardo.

The 26-year-old singer also shared on how she sees “rejections as redirections.”

“Mayroon pala talagang replacement always na better,” she explained.

“I never look rejections na masama kasi may palaging better replacement si God”, she continued.

Ash is also open to doing acting someday, like her sister Marion and their famous aunt, Nora Aunor.

“I really, really wanna get to comedy action,” she shared on what genre she would be doing.

She also expressed that she and her sister dream of working with their Superstar aunt Nora on a project.

“All Aunor power. Why not. I would love that so much. We would love, me and my sister, it’s our dream in a movie acting with our Tita Nora. That would be amazing!” she exclaimed.