After years away from the spotlight, OPM singer Bugoy Drilon releases his latest album titled Anthems, a deeply personal work that marks a new chapter in his journey as an independent artist.
In a press conference, Bugoy revealed that his latest work is a reflection of his life in the past few years as it touches on themes of growth, love, and healing.
“Yung Anthems po kasi is a collection ng emotions of fear, love, hope and faith, and everyone can relate kasi ayon ‘yung reality na pinagdadaanan natin. I will send that kind of energy in power, na kahit gaano kahirap pinagdaanan nila, everything will be okay.” Bugoy said.
According to the singer, it took him four years to complete the album as he allowed himself to fully experience life before translating those emotions into music.
“Yung pinagdaanan ko sa sarili ko, prior to that, hindi po namin minadali. It took us 4 years bago ko mabuo ‘yung album na ito kasi kailangan ko po pala siya pagdaanan para mafeel ‘yung experience and meaning ng bawat kanta,” he added.
Bugoy is best known for his hit song “Paano Na Kaya.” Bugoy rose to fame after joining the second season of Pinoy Dream Academy. Now, he wants to bring his listeners into his more personal and honest space as an artist, different from the music he previously did.
“Gusto ko sila isama sa journey ko, sa growth ko, sa maturity ko and sa experience na pinagdaanan ko na para rin to accompany sila. [I want to tell them that] it’s gonna be okay kasi napagdaanan ko rin iyon na lumaban, na ‘wag sumuko kahit gaano kahirap kasi magkakaiba naman ‘yung timeline natin ng success, wag ka lang titigil,” he expressed.
Among the nine tracks from Anthems, Bugoy revealed that “Habang Buhay” holds a special place in his heart, describing it as the most vulnerable song in the album.
“Yung ‘Habang Buhay’, kasi ito pinakavulnerable ko kasi there’s a lot of unsaid words na hindi ko nasabi. This song is nagbigay ng way na masabi ko iyon and na maintindihan and maunawaan ako ng kung sino man ang makikinig ng kantang ito. And also, to get the freedom that I always wanted. ’Yun naman talaga ang gusto ko,” he explained.
With a new album and a new era, the singer emphasized his desire to finally tell his own stories.
“Nagdecide na ako na ilabas ito kasi I wanna tell naman my story. I know people know na I always sing other people’s songs, so this time naman I would like to tell my own stories and the people (around) me and ‘yung mga stories nila na kailangan ko bigyan ng justice and buhay,” Bugoy said.
Aside from his music, Bugoy also wanted his latest work to be a source of comfort and healing for listeners. “Yung nire-represent ng album na ito bilang isang artist ay hindi naman talaga madali ang lahat ng bagay, proseso talaga siya. I know galing ako sa reality show and maraming nakakakilala sa akin because of that and pumunta rin ako sa hiatus situation ko kasi I want to have that substance sa mga kanta na ginagawa ko.”
“For me, music is the real magic na nararamdaman natin because it represents different feelings and emotions na kapag nararamdaman natin, we feel good,” he continued.