One of the cuts that made it to the Ryan Cayabyab-led Philpop songfest Finals 2013 edition gets a fresh take from the co-songwriter of the track herself.
The song “Sometimes That Happens,” which Ace Libre of the band Never The Strangers interpreted during the said competition, hits the digital stores today, August 20, featuring the voice of Adjeng, who penned the track’s lyrics. She, along with her co-songwriter, melodist Nino Regalado, was part of the pool that enjoyed the run-up to the big finale. Their duo made it to the short lists of noted songwriting contests multiple times.
“Philpop 2013 opened a lot of doors for me: learn from and get to know fellow songwriter-finalists, establish more connections in the music industry, and also learn more from Mr. C.,” shared Adjeng. “I took advantage of just having a front seat and absorbing everything he would share every single time. I think my biggest takeaway is growth. It made me open to different songwriting styles, new perspectives about creativity, and friendships amongst kindred spirits.”
This 2021 arrangement of “Sometimes That Happens” is worlds away from how it sounded eight years ago. “I am quite happy that I was able to record and release my own take on this song. A high level of trust and respect between collaborators is required for a songwriting partnership to be effective. I just trusted Nino with this new arrangement, just as I do for every single song we have done.”
Adjeng, also known around the gig scene as frontwoman for bands Sipol and Wink, launched her solo career this year. She started off with her debut digital single “O Sige Lang” last April, and then “If Only,” to rousing acclaim, the following month. She releases a new record almost every month. Her third, ‘Walk On Water,” entered the iTunes 200 Pop charts at number 32 the day it was released last month.
On her lyric writing, she related, “I just like being unpredictable. I like pushing the envelope and surprising everyone, especially myself. But I always make sure that I am authentic. Every song I have written has a piece of me there.”
All the news about the pandemic can be overwhelming so Adjeng has to filter what she exposes herself to. She is aware of what is going on while at the same time does her best to shield herself from what can affect her mental health. She expressed, with her strong spiritual stance showing, “I channel all that I feel in my writing and in my music, and that is a place sacred to me. I ground myself in God’s word. When I start my day with my bible, it sets the tone for my day. I get to accomplish what I need to do, fully equipped spiritually.”
