Zeke Abella’s self-belief is key to his success

CEBU, Philippines — Whether it’s his hilarious skits on TikTok or his impressive R&B-inspired discography, there’s no doubt that Zeke Abella is the favorite Gen Z content creator in town.

With nearly three million TikTok followers and 205,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the 19-year-old Abella constantly reminds himself of his grandmother’s words: what is his purpose and why is he doing it?

“That’s the question I ask myself every time. I want to inspire people, whether through my videos, songs, or anything else. I want to show that achieving your dreams is possible if you believe in yourself. That’s my main purpose, and to get there, I have to stay humble,” he told The FREEMAN.

Abella credits his family for his natural knack for comedy. “Both my mom’s and dad’s sides of the family are like comedians. But my biggest influence is my mom’s brother, Uncle Glenn. He’s so witty and relatable,” he shared.

Based in Lapu-Lapu City, Abella posts skits almost daily, often drawing humor from his everyday observations.

“For example, if a teacher is angry, I act out how they would react. My jokes may be exaggerated, but some are also true to life,” he explained.

As a public figure, he acknowledges not everyone is a fan of his style. “Comedy is subjective. There are things I don’t appreciate, and the same goes for others. People have different perspectives on what’s funny,” he noted.

In addition to his skits, Abella is looking to add something new to his content line-up: people-on-the-street interviews, a popular format that has gone viral on TikTok and other social media platforms.

“I want to try interviewing people because I’m a curious guy. It creates a conversation – a series of questions that can lead to connections,” he said.

As a leader

A freshman at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Abella is studying Mass Communication. He chose the course for its versatility, allowing him to deepen his knowledge of the fundamentals of communication as a content creator.

His favorite class is political science, where he learned about the basics of the Philippine constitution and legislative processes.

“I really enjoy that subject because I am beginning to understand how the government works and why it can sometimes be flawed or open to corruption,” he explained.

He also admires his teachers, saying, “They’re not just there to teach us; they’re there to inspire us and help shape fresh, effective communicators.”

Abella enjoys being chosen as a group leader for projects, though he hesitates when it comes to arts-and-crafts tasks.

“I love to lead because it’s a way to assess not only yourself but also your classmates. You get to analyze what needs improvement,” he shared.

He describes himself as an objective, yet relaxed leader, explaining, “I like to plan things out, but I am also laid-back when talking with my group mates. As a leader, you need to be mindful of how you communicate because everyone is different.”

As a musician

Abella was recently a headline act at the Sonata: Bisaya Music Festival at Ayala Central Bloc, marking his first major show as a musician.

“I used to get really nervous and overthink, but I prayed, and my gig went well,” he said, reflecting on how he had to overcome stage fright despite his extroverted personality.

His music contrasts his comedic TikTok persona, with hits like “Baggages,” “Truth Serum,” and “Only One,” which have a combined 7.1 million streams.

Many listeners compare his style to Daniel Caesar, whom Abella cites as a major influence and dream collaborator. “I could die happy on the spot if that happened,” he jested. “I love how Daniel Caesar makes his melodies, and then I discover what he is talking about in his lyrics. He talks about his life and how he deals with the hardships of his career.”

“Everything has its pros and cons, but you have to acknowledge that there is still good out of it and that’s how you continue with your life. That’s what I love about his music,” he added, mentioning IV of Spades, Frank Ocean, and SZA as his other influences.

Asked about his latest music obsession, he enthusiastically mentioned Chappell Roan, who was recommended by his sister and friends.

“What I love about her is her self-assured style in both lyrics and production. Her album [The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess] has a wide range of songs. There are dance songs and sad break-up songs,” he said.

“It’s like going through a journey with a different personality in each of the songs. It’s cohesive and the tracklist arrangement is like telling a story.”

When comparing his two creative sides, he explained, “It’s quicker to make a TikTok video since the output is usually 30 seconds. Making a song is a whole process: writing, recording, releasing, and then revisiting. It’s a challenge but I also enjoy it the same way I do with my TikTok videos.”

While Abella showcases different facets of himself through music and skits, his fans can be sure it’s the same guy behind both personas: a funny, relatable creator who enjoys entertaining others.

“It’s a different dynamic making music versus videos, but my mindset is the same,” he said. “I listen to myself, and that’s been key to starting my career: believing in myself.”