something significant happened today. as im writing this, ive surpassed 100k listeners on spotify. i know that statistic could be fickle... bukas pwedeng bumaba, bukas pwedeng tumaas. but the point is, for at least a month, my music reached 100k real people. thats crazy when i think about how i started this year with barely 1k people listening. and nung sinimulan ko yung solo career ko, naisip ko na pag umabot ako sa 100k, then i know ive made it (whatever making it means). and i know that im on to something here.
syempre yung nangunguna na kanta ay yung "bawat piyesa (secret verse)." kung tutuusin, lumang kanta na talaga siya, pero may mga bagong dinagdag that makes it something else, something more (at least in my opinion). naisip ko, parang metaphor pala ito sa career ko noh. marami sa inyo matagal na akong kilala at kabisado niyo na ang mga dati ko pang ginagawa. pero natutuwa ako na marami rin sa inyo ang tuluyang nakikinig sa mga bago kong ginagawa at mga bagong sinusubukan. kaya from the bottom of my heart, salamat.
grateful ako for everything this year. gusto ko rin magthank you sa marilag recordings specifically ang matagal ko nang mga kaibigan na si glenn and nukie for believing in me since day one and for giving me a chance to keep doing my music. gusto ko rin magthank you sa araw sa gabi management kay jana and sud sa pagpulot sakin at sa paglakbay kasama ako. syempre thank you rin sa mga sessionists na kasama ko lagi sa mga gigs this year: si kerith, eb, patrick, ralph, andrei. thank you sa inyong lahat na nagtiyatiyaga kayo sakin hahaha.
thank you syempre sa mom ko na lagi akong pinagdadasal, at tsaka sa siblings at friends ko. thanks yall for being proud of me. and syempre thank you kay sam for being my best friend. lagi kong kakantahin ang kanta mo.
hindi naman ako nanalo ng award pero bakit nagtutunog ganun? hahaha. yung award ko ay kayo. naks. cheesy. salamat wonderful people. kung may wish man ako para next year, hindi lang dumami tayo.. pero na sabay-sabay rin tayo maggrow as people. maging more loving, understanding, patient, kind, wonderful. i believe this is what our community is all about. that we all continue to become something else. something more.
ang lagi kong hinahangad: ang maging malaya, kasama ka.
p.s: eto na rin siguro yung year end reflection post ko. dahil medyo maghahibernate ako for the next few days. tamang schedule lang ng social media posts bago mag xmas tas video games all day orayt. see yall next year!!
stream kasama kita album
photo by miguel go
"Aurora" by TONEEJAY: A Song of Self-Acceptance and Empowerment
"In my darkest moments, I hold onto the light within, leading me through sadness towards understanding who I truly am."
In today's fast-paced world, where we often feel pressured to fit in or be like others, TONEEJAY's music video for "Aurora" is a breath of fresh air. The song's touching lyrics and beautiful visuals deliver a powerful message that everyone can relate to.
Celebrating Being Yourself
"Aurora" isn't just a word in the song; it represents something special and full of light. Just like the beautiful lights in the sky, each of us has our own unique glow. By repeating "Aurora" throughout the song, TONEEJAY reminds us to embrace our own light and shine bright, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Being True to Who You Are
The main idea of "Aurora" is about being yourself and not worrying about trying to be like everyone else. The lyrics tell us that everyone is different and has their own strengths that make them special. TONEEJAY's heartfelt singing makes this message even stronger. In the music video, we see different people, each with their own unique light and presence, which helps reinforce this idea.
Finding Strength in Tough Times
"Aurora" also talks about being strong. The song recognizes that life can be hard sometimes, and people might say mean things, but it's important to stay true to yourself. The music video shows people overcoming challenges and shining with confidence, even when things are tough. This message of strength, even when things are difficult, is both touching and inspiring.
Spreading Kindness and Happiness
At its heart, "Aurora" is about spreading love and happiness. The song encourages us to be nice and positive, not just to other people but also to ourselves. It's a reminder to be supportive and kind to ourselves. The music video's bright colors and happy pictures capture this feeling perfectly, making us feel warm and hopeful.
A Message for Today:
In today's busy and often tough world, "Aurora" by TONEEJAY is an important reminder to love ourselves and be strong. It's a song that speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit in or weren't good enough. With its heartfelt words and beautiful images, "Aurora" shows us the power of being true to ourselves and embracing our differences. TONEEJAY has created more than just a song with "Aurora"; it's a message for anyone who wants to be themselves, no matter what. It's a celebration of the light inside all of us, urging us to let it shine brightly. So, next time you feel down or like you don't belong, remember the words of "Aurora"—embrace who you are, shine bright, and let your inner light lead the way.
Ratings for "Aurora" by TONEEJAY 💫
Lyrics: The words in "Aurora" are touching and really capture the feeling of being yourself and facing challenges. They're like a warm hug, full of hope and encouragement. (Rating: 4.7/5)
Vocal: TONEEJAY sings the song beautifully, and you can feel the emotions in their voice. Sometimes they sound vulnerable, other times strong, but it all fits the song perfectly. (Rating: 4.8/5)
Emotional Impact: This song really touches your heart. It's so relatable, especially if you've ever felt down or unsure of yourself. It makes you feel understood and gives you strength. (Rating: 4.9/5)
Production: The music in "Aurora" sounds great. Everything sounds clear and well put-together, which makes the song even better. (Rating: 4.7/5)
Replay Value: You'll want to listen to this song again and again. It's just so good and has a comforting feel to it that keeps you coming back. (Rating: 4.8/5)
Overall Rating: "Aurora" by TONEEJAY is an incredible song in every way. From the lyrics to the music to how it makes you feel, it's just really well done. (Overall Rating: 4.8/5)
At tulad nga sa kanta ni Toneejay na 711 gusto kong ibigay ang buhay na gusto mo at gagawin ko'ng kahit ano. Pero paano ko ibibigay sayo yung buhay na gusto mo eh hindi ko nga mabigay yung buhay na gusto ko para sa sarili ko?
(published on my social media dec. 10, 2022)
some time ago i lived in japan for a year on a student exchange program. this is a photo of me at a beach in kamakura, one of the prettiest places ive ever been. kung napakinggan niyo na sa album yung "alaala," yung audio na may beach sounds sa 4:25 onwards, dito yun.
i was supposed to meet up with some friends i made from a church in tokyo. but i remember i was feeling kinda depressed those days, so naisip ko pumunta nang mas maaga para makapag soul-searching. alam mo yun, yung day trip na mag-isa ka lang tas sakto japan so parang anime. it was just a few train rides away from where i lived. and pagkapunta ko dun, umaambon tas medyo foggy so imagine grabe para akong nasa makoto shinkai film. naglakad-lakad ako na wala masyadong goal in mind. and then tiningnan ko yung mga temples, kasi meron dun sobrang laking buddha statue (google niyo sikat yun), tas pumunta ako dun sa train station na nafeature sa slam dunk kahit di naman ako nanonood ng slam dunk. sayang.. hindi ko sure kung saan ko linagay yung mga pictures from that trip. imagine niyo na lang muna with me.
now that i think about it, sobrang life-altering pala nung trip na yun. there's really something about walking and wandering that touches something integral in one's soul... ewan ko kung ano yun. can't explain it. pero basta if you ever get the chance to be a stranger somewhere, take it.
sa totoo, yung trip na yun was supposed to be a water baptism ceremony. if like me you grew up in an evangelical christian church, then you know what that is. yun yung ilulublob ka ng pastor sa tubig for a few seconds tas iaaangat ka. it's supposed to symbolize that your past has been washed away and now you're a new creation. that's why dun sa audio, people were happy and shouting... because it was my turn to be saved.
these days i don't consider myself an evangelical, but i'm still a big believer in spiritual experiences no matter what tradition it comes from. i had already been baptized as a kid, but doing it again as an adult was the first time it meant something to me. and i needed that--i needed to feel new. and it was the perfect way to end my year in japan.
fun fact, i wrote "sa hindi pag-alala" and "solomon" during that year. and then not long after when i got home and went back to my normal life, a friend asked me to contribute a song for her thesis film ("sa di pagparam" by ezra borlagdatan... shout out kung binabasa mo ito). that's when i wrote "alaala." and even if it's a song about childhood, i can't help but feel today that perhaps it was also about that one year when so many things happened that wouldn't happen anymore. when i felt so many things i wouldn't feel anymore. and when i met so many people i wouldn't meet anymore.
pero naaalala ko pa rin sila...
"kay bilis naman ng oras..."
--
listen to "alaala" from my new album KASAMA KITA: https://youtu.be/css7hzK_XYA
stream the new album on spotify and everywhere else
Bawat Piyesa, pakinggan mo actually this song helps me to cry. Hirap na hirap ako umiyak e, but I am actually crying everyday for almost 2 weeks now and pinapakinggan ko to. (⌒‐⌒) nakakagaan ng puso.
28.
Wala ako genre eh, kung ano nagustuhan ko kanta pinapakinggan ko pero my fave artist lately are Toneejay, Juan Karlos, Kamikazee, Syd Hartha, Dwta, Zild. (^ー^)
90.
What makes me angry? I usually pretend to be angry when I am sad or in deep pain. Mas madali magalit kesa umiyak.
I don't keep a bucket list, but I hold dear a list of my mother's dreams — places she longs to explore, foods she wishes to taste, dresses to fit, and other countless aspirations. I think I have lived to bring these to life and make her happy. I wish to give her the life she deserves. So dear lord, please help me land a fulfilling job.
I couldn't find the original post that caused me to do this (it was make a soundtrack without using these artists, it included Will Wood, Marina and the Diamond, and The Crane Wives among others) and we did a Filipino music / OPM / P-pop version of it
I tried to make this list as easy on the eyes and screen reader friendly as possible
You want to make a Filipino music playlist? Make one without using any of the following
Eraserheads
Aegis
The Itchyworms
Bamboo
6 Cyclemind
Soapdish
Mike Hanopoi
Siakol
Rivermaya
Jerome Abalos
Parokya ni Edgar
The Youth
K.Z. Tandigan
Morrisette
Moira Dela Torre
Jake Zyrus
Grin Dept
DJ Alvaro
Orient Pearl
Alterimage
Agaw Agimat
Alamid
Juan Carlos
Gloc 9
Alvin (Serito) $erito
Ex Battalion
This Band
(Intro Voice) INTRoVOYS
Men Oppose
Calein
Al James
Yano
Angelo Garcia
Bullet D
Syd Haratha
Carl Beley
Ace Banzuelo
Michael Laygo
Llyod Umali
Ted Ito
Ren Verano
White Lies
Janine Teñoso
Arthur Nery
Magnus Haven
Hang N There/HNT
Oranges & Lemons
T.J. Monterde
Lola Amour
(L.D.R.) LDR
Skusta Clee
Jnske
Bugoy na Kokoy
Yuri Dope
Flow G
Nik Makino
Jroa
Loki
Jonas
Ayeeman
Bastardo
Honcho, previously known as (Bos sine question mark) Bosx1ne
(Saglit) Sagl1t
(Chrils question mark) Chriilz
J King