OPM singer and songwriter Angela Ken continues to embrace authenticity while reflecting on her personal growth and maturity through her extended play (EP) album, Panahon.
During an interview at one of her busking tour stops, the “Ako Naman Muna” singer opened up about how her musical style and perspective have evolved over the years while staying true to the heart of her songwriting.
“Hindi nawala ‘yung core ni Angela Ken as a songwriter, as a storyteller. Ayon ‘yung lagi sinasabi ko sa sarili ko and sa team ko: na ayon ‘yung ayaw ko mawala kasi that’s the truth in my heart, that’s what makes my craft authentic, real and relevant,” Angela shared with PUSH ABS-CBN.
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While remaining grounded in her truth, Angela said her broader perspective in life helped shape music that resonates more deeply with listeners.
“Yung change is mas nagmature, ‘yung perspective niya mas lumawak, ‘yung pangunawa hindi na lang as a high school girl na puro kilig or puro ganito na lang na bagay ‘yung alam. Mas lumawak pa siya in a sense na not just in a romantic way, but in a life, in career and what this world is throwing at her,” Angela said.
“Yung pagiging observant talaga is malaking factor para mas lumawak ‘yung tenga, mata sa kung anong nangyayari sa bansa, sa mundo and sa buhay ng kapwa,” she added.
Although she remains open to exploring other fields such as acting, Angela said music continues to be her main focus as she further discovers her purpose in the industry.
“As of the moment, I really want to focus on my craft, in music, kasi tulad ng sinabi ko, pinagtibay tayo ng panahon and may mga times na kailangan mo siyang pagdaanan para makita mo kung ano talaga ‘yung gusto mo, ‘yung purpose mo kung bakit ka nandito sa industriya na ito,” Angela told PUSH ABS-CBN.
“I’m still open (to other fields) pero siguro hindi muna sa ngayon. Kaya more on related muna siya sa music ko and kaya nagacting ako sa (movie premiere ng EP). I want people to see the real Angela Ken,” she continued.
Meanwhile, the singer also shared what she hopes listeners will feel while listening to Panahon, an EP that took more than two years to complete.
“Connecting to the fans sa Panahon EP, kasi ang goal ng EP is to show you the window that love transcends through time and season,” she said. “Sana maging warm embrace ang bawat liriko, maging salamin siya ng kung anong nararanasan niyo and maging pintuan din na maraming possibilities nangyayari sa tamang panahon.”
Angela also reflected on the songwriting process behind the project, admitting that each track came together differently and challenged her creatively.
“Ang songwriting process ko ay sobrang magkakaiba sa bawat track. It was two years in the making, not just two years pa nga but two and a half or three years. Kasi noong nirelease si “Kulimlim” in 2024, ginagawa na ‘yung ibang tracks by that time and the concept of whole EP,” Angela explained.
She went on: “The songwriting process was hard kasi some of the songs there, nauna ‘yung message bago ‘yung lyrics or ‘yung melody, and sometimes iba ‘yung flow ng songs, na nauna namin isulat ‘yung chorus then bridge then verses. Iba-iba siya ng paraan.”
Through the years, Angela said her songwriting has become more personal and grounded in truth.
“Mas nagmature ‘yung perspective ko in life, on a personal level. Mas tinitingnan ko ‘yung katotohanan kasi at this point in our lives, this generation needs to know the truth and that they need to feel they are hurt,” she expressed.