Duncan is back on track

From the time he first performed onstage with Gary Valenciano, Duncan Ramos has been on a steady path to fame. He became part of South Border, then embarked on a solo career. But then there came a time when Duncan, now in his early 30s, got sidetracked by other things, including personal relationships.

Now, he is re-focusing his attention on his career and promises to give it his 100-percent attention. “It seems that’s what I’m doing,” says the singer. Love, he tells himself, can wait. He intends to date, to see other people, but doesn’t want to go into anything committed or long-term. Some artists can balance relationships and their careers and make both flourish at the same time, but Duncan is different in the sense that when he falls in love, he gives all of himself — so much that has got to give.

“Sa akin, realization ko na ‘yung balance nga, and I might accept the fact that you can’t juggle love and career,” he says. “Somebody asked me before if I could see myself getting married in time? I told him I don’t want to think about it. Takot daw ba ako sa commitment? Hindi naman kasi I’ve been committed before… I’ve been committed to my craft for the longest time. Mahirap lang na baka pag mahal na mahal mo ang isang tao, sobrang napamahal din siya, tapos sabihin na ‘Ayokong kumanta ka na,’ baka ibigay ko ‘yon eh.”

Duncan is the type of artist who pours everything into his career.  He gives his all to a project. When he’s in a relationship, he wants to pour everything into it, too. But it isn’t all bad. While it becomes difficult to keep his balance emotionally, experiencing such intense and extreme emotions also inspires him as a singer. “There’s a possibility you get crazy over love,” he laughs. “Gusto mo ‘yon eh, especially if you’re a songwriter. It becomes your inspiration and your testimony. Baliw ako sa music, baliw ako sa kaibigan, baliw ako sa isang bagay.”

His most recent relationship ended, but the emotions that came with it helped power him to finish his latest recording project. Duncan is coming out soon with a new album containing five songs. He will launch it soon, then in March this year, he’ll be gone for three weeks for a bar tour abroad. When he comes back, he’ll rest briefly, then go back to work.

According to Duncan, the reason that his new album consists of only five songs is because if he had recorded a full album, he would have become so intense about it, and would have wanted to pour all of himself into it again. It would have taken him longer to complete had that been the case. “That’s why I only have five songs in my album, baka tumagal eh, ma-emote ako masyado. Siyempre, ganoon naman when you write songs, they should be based on true accounts, they can’t be fabricated.”

There was a time that Duncan was so immersed in his private life that he thought of quitting showbiz. He was then in the US, contemplating taking a job as a waiter in Hawaii. It had already reached that point. At that time, Duncan, then aged 26 or 27, thought he was having a quarter-life crisis. But then something happened, and he realized that he still had a place in this industry. “Yes,” he admits. “I mean, I was really cared about my relationships. It wasn’t obvious. Pero ‘yun eh. Siyempre, tao ka lang naman. Sabi nga nila, maling-mali daw eh, if ever na gawin ko ‘yung pag-quit, and may mga tumulong nga sa akin na pagbalik ko nga, akala ko kasi pagbalik ko dito, wala na, tapos bigla akong kinuha sa ASAP, bigla akong nilagay doon. Sabi ko, ‘Ay, totoo pala, some people believe in me.’“

So now, with the release of his forthcoming album, and being part of the ASAP Sessionistas (while doing other shows on the side), Duncan is — well, at least for now — fully committed to his career. It’s a new phase in his life, and he is excited about what’s coming. We’re sure other people are excited for him as well.

We are.