“BAKIT ako nandito ngayon?” The question formed in the mind of OPM singer-songwriter Dionela after learning that he would be part of Spotify RADAR Philippines’ class of 2024. “Unreal, men. Like seryoso, if babalikan ko yung seven years na ako, ‘di ko nakikita ‘to. Promise ‘di ko nakikita,” he said, taking the spotlight in RADAR.
The digital music service recently unveiled its new roster of young artists for the fifth year of its RADAR, a global program that features emerging musicians across different genres.
Joining Dionela in the lineup are Filipino hip-hop stars Hev Abi and Illest Morena, R&B singers Maki, Jason Dhakal and Denise Julia, Baguio-based band Cup of Joe, indie sibling duo Ysanygo, Bicol’s pride dwta, and the “nation’s girl group” BINI.
While this somehow bewildered Dionela, his inclusion in the slate was unsurprising to his fans. There is a reason why he was included, and for Spotify Philippines, it is because his profoundly meaningful and heartfelt songs are “shaping” the future of Pinoy music.
How? Maybe one will find the answer as Dionela shared more about himself and his discography that hits close to the hearts of listeners, in an exclusive interview with republicasia.
Music in the blood
There is this saying that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, which means that children have a similar character or qualities to their parents. One example of this is Dionela, who was born to two music teachers. Having musicians in the family is an advantage for the Bulacan-based singer-songwriter but believe it or not, his parents weren’t the ones who helped him nurture his musical talent.
“Yung tampo ko sa kanila ay hindi nila ako tinuruan ng music ever. Like meron [noon] magsi-sit-in ako sa class nila, sa music class nila, tapos meron silang pinapagawa sa class na hindi magawa ng students tapos alam ko sa sarili ko tapos tataas [ako ng kamay pero] ‘di nila ako tinatawag ever,” he recalled.
“Para akong multo doon na hindi nila ako nakikita,” he added.
But his parents had a reason as to why they chose to not teach their son, which Dionela only discovered when he turned 16.
“Sinabi nila sa akin na, ‘Sinadya namin, tinry namin, kasi pinag-usapan namin ng daddy mo kung gagana through genes,’” the singer shared.
He continued, “Well, totoo pala siya, gumagana yung genes, and marami akong ginive up for music.”
Dionela did not elaborate but the OPM singer did not seem to regret his decision because music for him was worth the risk.
“Sugal ang music for me and I love this, siguro hindi ko siya naisip like nahanap ko lang siya sa’kin dahil matagal na siyang nasa akin,” he said. “Feeling ko hindi ko part ang music, part ako ng music.”
Songs with a heart
As one of the rising OPM artists in today’s generation, Dionela popularized a variety of songs that gave all the feels and comfort to listeners, including “Musika,” “153,” “Oksihina” and “Sugal.”
Such heart-tugging songs make one ask: how did Dionela write this song? Or where did he get his inspiration from?
The answer is simple; his songs resonate with listeners because these are inspired by his own life experiences. People may have different life experiences but they can still somehow relate to others and empathize with them because they once went through it.
“Yung inspiration ko sa everything ako rin. Like yung mga nangyayari sa buhay ko, yung learnings, pain,” he stressed.
Dionela recalled that he first started writing a song while he dealt with his first heartbreak. At that time, he said that he learned to convert his energy to something productive—making music. The OPM artist admitted that he also questioned why he had to undergo such a painful experience, but he realized that everything indeed happens for a reason.
To him, that scenario was meant to happen for him to gain another life lesson and be redirected to the path that he is now traversing.
“That time I prayed for wisdom, I prayed for this pero hindi kasi siya instant na when you prayed for this, babagsak siya sa’yo na ito ka na,” said Dionela.
He shared, “When I prayed for this, someone gave me something to practice para maabot ko ‘to. Like when [you] pray for strength, God will give you something to practice your strength. Hindi siya instant.”
Music influence
Aside from his personal experiences, there is also a certain figure that became an inspiration for Dionela to produce his songs: it is none other than Filipino R&B beatmaker and producer Alisson Shore.
He recalled the time when he randomly came across “Urong Sulong,” one of Alisson’s hit songs, on Spotify. He was captivated by the song the first time he heard it.
“[Sabi ko], ‘Ganda naman nito.’ Nung una ‘kala ko he’s someone from overseas, not a local artist,” he recalled. “Tapos doon ako nag-start mag-produce. I tried mixing tapos nag-release ako ng song.”
What he loves about Alisson’s artistry is his music and the visuals he creates, according to Dionela. The “Musika” singer described Alisson Shore’s songs as something no one would expect.
“If you’re expecting a left punch, you will receive an uppercut. Gano’n yung mangyayari eh,” he said.
Personality-wise, he said the “Urong Sulong” hitmaker is “very humble.”
This might feel like a scene from a film or a series where a fan gets to meet their idol personally, but amazingly enough, this scenario happened to Dionela. It was not an only-for-a-moment encounter, though.
The “crazy part” is that Dionela and Alisson Shore have collaborated on a song called “Hoodie,” which they released in February. Even Dionela cannot believe that their connection is now at the level where Alisson Shore visits their home and hangs out with him.
“Minsan [kapag] nagha-hang ako, [sabi niya], ‘Pre, anyare sa’yo ‘di ka nagsasalita?’ [Sabi ko], ‘Gagi ‘tol, totoo ka ba?’ Tapos tinatapik ko siya,” said the “Musika” singer. “Sobrang video game ng buhay ko, bro.”
Like any other musician, Dionela also explored a variety of genres to find what best suited him and represented himself, but the singer only found himself going back to R&B. If there’s another thing that influences his music, it is the era of music in the early 2000s or late ‘90s.
“Meron akong bias sa R&B like merong mga part sa ballad songs na ‘di naman dapat lagyan ng bali, pero lalagyan mo, ‘di mo sinasadya. Parang merong something special sa’kin, specifically yung era ng early 2000’s [or] late ‘90s R&B,” he noted.
The OPM artist emphasized, “Feeling ko kung totoo ang reincarnation, doon ako galing.”
But while new OPM artists get inspired by pioneers, Dionela stressed that each of them is still unique.
The ‘first’ Dionela
The Pinoy music scene will inevitably evolve in the coming years, with more emerging artists venturing into the local music industry. Meanwhile, rising OPM artists now may have solidified their names in the industry by that time, as they continue to pursue their respective goals. But Dionela aims to carve his own name in the music industry.
“Everyone keeps telling me na, ‘You can be the next Michael Jackson!’ Or, ‘You can be the next Bruno Mars!’ Pero I just wanna be the first me–gusto ko maging ako yung unang ako,” he said.
He explained, “That’s a compliment when someone says you can be the next MJ, pero I wanna be the first me, I wanna be the first Dionela.”
When asked what his fans and listeners should look forward to from him, Dionela did not give specific answers like a new song or perhaps, a new album. But he promised that he won’t disappoint them with whatever projects he may have in the future.
“Meron na akong clue sa inyo: hindi ko kayo bibiguin,” he answered simply, adding that a lot of surprises await them.
“Ayaw kong bigyan ng hint kasi malala, sobrang lala, and malalaman niyo lang ‘yun if naka-follow kayo lagi,” he hinted.
Advice for music lovers, aspiring musicians
Dionela also took the chance to promote OPM, especially to those who haven’t lent their ears to it. He said that music lovers should experience watching live gigs because not only will they hear the artists’ live vocals, but their presence would fuel the performers’ fire to give a remarkable gig.
“Hindi niyo alam na binigyan niyo kami ng fire that day, merong time sa’min na mas nakikilala mo kami ‘pag nakita mo kami ng live and after the stage, makikita mo yung view namin kung ba’t namin sinulat ‘to,” he said.
The “Sugal” singer said that musicians are also “humans” who have a lot of stories to tell through their songs, and it’s best to listen to them in person, just as how we want to hear narratives straight from our friends and loved ones.
As a parting note, Dionela left sincere advice for aspiring OPM artists: “Gawin mo yung music dahil mahal mo yung ginagawa mo. Kasi ‘pag ‘yun yung fire mo, kahit ano yung lumabas, wala man mag-stream, mag-hit man yan, yumaman ka man diyan, malugi man yung ginagawa mo, masayang man yung taon mo, masaya ka sa na-release mo. ‘Yun yung mahalaga.”
He continued, “‘Pag ‘yun yung mindset mo, hindi ka mapapagod, okay? So do it for yourself, for your heart.”
Check out the RADAR PH playlist on Spotify and listen to the songs of the nine other local acts in the lineup.
