New singer hopes to write songs for Julie Anne San Jose and Morissette

By: Allan Policarpio – 3 minutes ago

Gel Aquino —GEL AQUINO/FACEBOOK

In the midst of the pandemic, Gel Aquino was heartbroken and depressed and found an outlet for his feelings through songwriting.

“I was very depressed at some point in 2020. I was heartbroken. And then I found out that my grandmother had died. I live alone and my relatives told me two months after the death. Writing songs became a kind of release. It allowed me to express what I felt inside,” she said at a virtual conference.

One morning, the young musician woke up with a melody in her head. “I was just humming to myself and eventually I found the words,” she said. “Having inspiration helps because it makes songwriting more emotional. It becomes easier… And you don’t just write because you have to.”

The unexpected spark of inspiration led to her third and latest single, the modern pop ballad “Kinakaya” (GMA Music), which she dedicates to her late grandmother and those who have suffered loss.

“It’s about moving on. We have to endure the pain and difficulties that come with losing a romantic partner, a loved one. We’ve all experienced what it’s like to be abandoned. I hope that after listening to the song, people feel inspired to face their grief… I hope it makes them think of the people they’ve lost,” she said.

New dimension

Although she is relatively new to the recording business, the singer-songwriter already has a lot of experience as a lounge singer, performing in hotel lounges up to six times a week. Working with GMA Music has added a new dimension to her career. She now has a platform to release her original compositions.

“I’ve always dreamed of having my own song. I want to be known not only for my singing skills, but also for writing songs. I hope to write more songs that people can relate to – stories about love, gratitude, struggles,” said Gel, who idolizes Taylor Swift and Yeng Constantino. “And now I get to do guest appearances on TV too.”

If given the opportunity, Gel would love to write a song for Julie Anne San Jose or Morissette. “It would be a great honor … if they ever liked my work. Having the song performed by an established singer can help bring it to a wider audience,” she said. INQ