Original interview by Robin Sienna and Conyo Bicolano
Translated to English for the general public by nami
Original interview upload: January 19, 2023
Let’s Go Sisiws! Tara, Kape! Episode with Felip
Robin Sienna: A feel-good Saturday to all our Kabisyo! (‘vicemates’ in English, a term used by Love Radio Manila for its DJs and listeners.)
Or should I say, sisiws! (‘chicks’, a subgroup of A’TIN whose bias or favorite member is Ken/Felip.)
Conyo Bicolano: Or A’TIN, the A’TIN (referring to SB19 fandom).
Robin Sienna: That’s right! You know what Conyo Bicolano, I’m really excited to introduce another oragon (Bicolano slang used to describe a person who’s strong willed, determined) that will be joining us today. Sorry you’re not the oragon for now.
Conyo Bicolano: He is the super cool one today.
Robin Sienna: Truly!
Conyo Bicolano: That’s why I’m wearing a gift-wrapper because I wanted to be a gift for him.
Robin Sienna: (laughing) Right, and of course it’s because he is the gift for our listeners today.
Conyo Bicolano: That’s legit, super legit.
Robin Sienna: Here we go. Without further ado, he is a Filipino performer, producer, entrepreneur, songwriter and emerging taste maker not only in music, but also in the fashion industry.
Conyo Bicolano: More popularly known as Ken— vocalist and dancer of the globally-recognized PPOP group, SB19— he ushers a new era with a genre-bending track titled,
Both: ROCKSTA!
Robin Sienna: Let’s not take much longer, please welcome, Felip!
Conyo Bicolano: Broskie, what’s up?
Felip: Hello everyone! Hello to all the listeners out there, to the sisiws, especially A’TIN. Hello! I hope everyone’s having a good day.
Conyo Bicolano: You know what, I’m getting starstruck. Legit.
Robin Sienna: So true!
Conyo Bicolano: Super starstruck.
Robin Sienna: Even from just a while ago when he came in, I was like “woah“. Without singing yet, just with the outfit and the aura, the vibe is very rockstar already!
Conyo Bicolano: I saw his IG story and I got so excited to see him in person. His outfit and all. He’s my inspo when it comes to style.
Robin Sienna: Truly.
Conyo Bicolano: So how are you feeling, Felip? How are you today?
Felip: I’m good. I feel fresh because I actually got to sleep early, I hope you do too! I hope you feel good as well.
Conyo Bicolano: You know what, I dreamt of you last night. (Robin Sienna and Felip laughing) So excited!
Robin Sienna: And you know what, just by looking at you you seem to have a very cool vibe but nonetheless very humble as well.
Felip: Thank you, thank you.
Conyo Bicolano: That’s true.
Robin Sienna: So here’s our first question.
Felip: Oh, wow.
Robin Sienna: (laughs) He got nervous!
Conyo Bicolano: (playfully) You thought we weren’t ready?
Felip: Alright, alright. Let’s go!
Robin Sienna: What is the difference between Felip as a soloist and Ken, as a member of SB19?
Felip: I think with Felip and Ken, in terms of skill and talent, they’re the same. But the difference is that Felip is not part of SB19. (laughs) I’m kidding!
He’s a solo artist. I mean that’s the main difference. I can’t really say more than that since they are the same person. All I can say is that both of them love music that much.
Conyo Bicolano: I love it. Like the personality is there, it’s just that this time you are going solo unlike before that you are only in a group. And speaking of group and [going] solo, how was your adjustment in terms of performing since you’re part of my super lodi (‘idol’ written in reverse) SB19 and now you’re by yourself. How was the adjustment—in performing and creating your music?
Felip: In creating music as a group… Whatever happens, we prioritize the group. That’s really how it is. Only when our schedule gets loose, even for a bit, I take that time to make my own songs. I really use my free time to make music for my solo career.
Robin Sienna: Yeah. So, how did SB19 react when you decided to perform solo?
Felip: Of course they’re happy. Actually right now, there’s two of us who have solo careers. Our leader Pablo has solo songs as well. Also, it’s not impossible for all of us to have our own ventures in the future. I mean we are not the only group doing this, there are international groups, in K-Pop for example, who have [members with] solo endeavors while being in a group.
Conyo Bicolano: And at the end of the day, it’s really about showcasing not only our talent, but showcasing our talents as a Filipino. That’s what’s really important. And you know broskie, the A’TIN and sisiws including me, are very interested to know who are your influences in terms of music.
Robin Sienna: That’s right.
Conyo Bicolano: Who are the artists who have influenced you? Because as for me the only influence is coffee.
(Robin Sienna and Felip laughing)
Robin Sienna: In Tara, Kape! (radio show name, translates to ‘let’s have coffee’.)
Conyo Bicolano: In Tara, Kape!
Felip: Are you palpitating now?
Conyo Bicolano: Yes I am. (playfully acts like he’s palpitating)
Felip: I remember as a kid, I think I was in elementary school, the artists I would listen to a lot were Chris Brown, T-Pain…
Conyo Bicolano: Oh, interesting.
Robin Sienna: Very R&B.
Felip: Yes, classic R&B jams. But now, there’s a lot [I listen to]. Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, Travis Scott… they’re the hip-hop artists I look up to. Quavo, as well.
Conyo Bicolano: And it shows, it really does. It shows with you, but of course with the touch of being Filipino and your personality.
Robin Sienna: Precisely.
Conyo Bicolano: I think that’s the main reason why you stand out every time you perform.
Felip: Thank you.
Conyo Bicolano: Even with guestings like this, you have that starstruck effect and all.
Robin Sienna: Yes and it’s apparent as well especially with the success of your two releases, Palayo and Bulan, right? And you also released an EP titled COM•PLEX.
Felip: Yes.
Robin Sienna: So could you please tell us more about the inspiration behind that?
Felip: Honestly, COM•PLEX really talks about myself… the complexities that I have. And I just want to encourage people, my listeners and our fans to embrace [theirs]. Embrace their flaws, and know that it makes them unique. I also think complex people are very curious, intelligent, and the kind who generally think outside the box. [They are] imaginative people. So be proud of it. As we are humans, it’s normal that it (complexities) exist within us.
Conyo Bicolano: Wow you’re giving me the shivers. It feels like you’re telling us that all our complexities are part of our perfection as an art form.
Felip: Yes, exactly.
Conyo Bicolano: I get why he’s so loved by the A’TIN and sisiws.
Robin Sienna: That is so true.
Conyo Bicolano: Legit!
Robin Sienna: And what I really sense from you is the celebration of individuality. You celebrate who you are.
Felip: Yes because as a soloist, I can project my true self better, what I really feel. Something like that.
Robin Sienna: And for sure, the sisiws really support you for being true to yourself. Right?
Felip: Yes, I’m very thankful to them for supporting me till now. I am really grateful for them.
Robin Sienna: Wow, Conyo Bicolano, these were just the first set of questions but it’s already packed [with so much feeling]!
Conyo Bicolano: Yes, only the first set.
Felip: I’m getting nervous with the questions! (laughs)
Conyo Bicolano: Shall we intensify the questions even more?
Robin Sienna: (teasing) Yes, let’s make it more nerve-wracking and play with him.
Conyo Bicolano: That’s right! That’s what I like!
(Felip laughing)
Robin Sienna: The comment section seems to be exploding! Look, oh my God. So here, let’s have a game!
Conyo Bicolano: Yes, we’ll be playing palosebo here broskie. (‘Palosebo’ is a traditional Filipino game where contestants attempt to climb a greased pole to grab a prize placed at the top of the pole.)
Felip: Wow.
Robin Sienna: And there will be a prize.
Conyo Bicolano: Yes! (everyone laughs)
Robin Sienna: It’s coffee.
Conyo Bicolano: It’s coffee.
CLICK HERE TO READ the ENGLISH translation of their FAST TALK segment.
Main interview continued at 9:41
Conyo Bicolano: Alright, let’s proceed to your new single. I just mentioned what [song] makes you feel like a rocksta. Let’s talk about your single, ROCKSTA. How was the songwriting process and the conceptualization of the music video, because man the teaser? Goosebumps. It’s very artsy… full of emotions and all. How was the experience of making your new single?
Felip: ROCKSTA… When we were on tour, while we were on the plane going to the US, that’s when I started writing it. As per the music, I worked with a producer who’s in the US right now, his name is Jake Masca. When we’re working on a song, he’d come by my house and we’d spend time till wee hours. Sometimes we go out to get coffee then come back and make beats. Something like that.
That’s how ROCKSTA happened. Like, “Aye, I’ll make a melody” then he will also share his opinions about it. We were just having fun. We get along really well. I’d be like, “Bro, I think I want to make a song to express how I really feel. A song where I feel like a rockstar or something.” Stuff like that.
Conyo Bicolano: Really rooted from your emotions.
Felip: Not literally like a rockstar like heavy metal, but with a touch of hip-hop.
Conyo Bicolano: I love it. And it’s a collaborative effort.
Felip: Yes.
Conyo Bicolano: Wow, interesting. Interesting.
Felip: It was not only me. And about the conceptualization of the music video. As I was writing the song, I already had a lot in mind. “This seems promising… there could be something burning, I want flames,” and whatnot. I wanted it dark and have a minimalistic style while showing images that depict my emotions.
Conyo Bicolano: We’re so excited for that! Hopefully next time we will be part of your music video and all.
Robin Sienna: (laughs) He really had to pitch that.
Conyo Bicolano: I had to.
Robin Sienna: So it’s really a collective of your creativity, the song and the music video. How about the message? How do you want ROCKSTA to be received by your supporters?
Felip: Of course, the message of ROCKSTA is to uplift and motivate myself every time I feel down. As an artist, it happens. However, you’ll also realize that you have no time to be disappointed with yourself. So pick up that mic and if you really want to do something, aim to be the best [at it]. That’s what I want to tell the listeners and our fans.
Conyo Bicolano: Very inspiring.
Robin Sienna: Absolutely. Is that how someone nervous answers… is that true, Felip?
Felip: But I am! I don’t talk much so…
Robin Sienna: Really cool. But of course, let’s not wait any longer!
Conyo Bicolano: We’re at the exciting part!
Robin Sienna: We really are. Everyone please welcome,
Both: Felip!
ROCKSTA Performance at 13:33
Interview Continuation at 15:22
Conyo Bicolano: Bro I was mesmerized. Very empowering and the vibe is very fresh.
Robin Sienna: Yes, very much!
Conyo Bicolano: More.
Robin Sienna: If only that’s possible!
Conyo Bicolano: His manager is about to pinch me, “What do you mean ‘more’? Just once, just once.” (everyone laughs)
If I’m this excited now, Felip, I’m very sure our online community and the Filipinos, whether they’re A’TIN or sisiw from around the world, are excited as well to support you on your new single. So please promote ROCKSTA and your socials too! Please invite our online viewers right now.
Felip: The ROCKSTA audio is out now on all music platforms, so go check it out. And later at 8 PM, ROCKSTA music video will be released. Enjoy! And of course to keep you updated, just search for @felipsuperior all over social media for my future shows as a solo artist. Thank you so much.
Robin Sienna: There you go.
Conyo Bicolano: I’m already following you, broskie.
Robin Sienna: He said you aren’t following him back! (laughs)
Conyo Bicolano: But really, I’m already following.
Robin Sienna: Thank you very much Felip!
Felip: Thank you.
Robin Sienna: Actually we don’t want to end this yet and our comment section is still going crazy. The sisiws are even saying to please save them because they are now drowning. (laughs)
Conyo Bicolano: They are asking to be saved.
Robin Sienna: Alright, once again everyone, Felip!
Felip: Thank you so much, everyone. Thank you to all our Kabisyo. Please take care.