Belle Mariano drops EP ahead of birthday concert

MANILA, Philippines — Belle Mariano is still “learning more” about her craft as an actress and singer. She just turned 22 last June 10.

She described such a stage in her life as “freedom with guidance.”

“If you hear 22, what first comes into your mind? (For me, it’s) adulting. It’s like when you’re 22, you’re in the middle of like you have to find the balance between taking things seriously but at the same time, not forgetting to enjoy the fun things in life as well,” she stated during the mediacon of her upcoming solo concert dubbed “BELIEVE: The Belle Mariano Birthday Concert.”

Belle said that her mom, family and management team have been there to guide her in her journey.

“I think I would always be in that state where I’m trying to learn more. Learn more from what I do and my passion, which is acting and singing at the same time. I’m really just always in that mindset of ‘OK anything that I can learn from,’” she went on.

The former “Goin’ Bulilit” talent mounted a charity event at the Cribs Foundation in celebration of her birthday. Her wish is to make her concert a success.

“Because we’ve been planning this since last year. I hope that this will be a successful (event). Ngayon pa lang, I feel nervous and excited. I hope that this will be a success and I hope that the audience will enjoy (the show) and maparating ko yung message of the concert (and that is) to keep believing,” she offered.

The concert is happening on July 13, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire, produced by ABS-CBN Events and StarPop. Fans may also catch its livestream via iWantTFC mobile app and website or through iWantTFC Tickets for only P599.

She will be joined by special guests, including love team partner Donny Pangilinan, Moira dela Torre, Denise Julia, and Martin Nievera. Belle added that there will be another “pasabog” guest but they are still working on it.

Without divulging more details, the “He’s Into Her” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” star teased that concertgoers could expect plenty of things to look forward to at the show. “As I’ve said last time, you, guys, will be involved. So prepare yourselves. It’s gonna be something very exciting and you’ll see side of me that you haven’t seen before. I will do a lot of things that I never expected to do as well. There’s balladeer, there’s a bit of hip-hop, (and so on).”

The “BELIEVE: The Belle Mariano Birthday Concert” is not only a dream come true for Belle but also for her grandfather.

“Growing up, I used to be the kid who sang in the karaoke,” she recalled. “And to be honest, hindi ko talaga siya parang na-visualize (concert). Because it was too grand for me to even think about it.

“But now that I’m here, wow, and I used to sing in the videoke with my lolo and it feels like I’m not just fulfilling my dream (but) I’m also fulfilling his.”

Belle is poised to stage the tracks from her new extended play (EP) BELIEVE at her music event. It includes the upbeat Biglaan and Apelyido (words and music by Trisha Denise), Pakisagot (words and music by CESCA), Little World Changer (words by Moira dela Torre and Joseph Landreth- Smith), and I, Save, Me (words by Angelica Tagadtad). The tracks were produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos.

The EP, which is “a collection of inspiring tracks about accepting one’s fate, overcoming pain, and making big dreams,” is now out on various streaming platforms. It also serves as a prelude to her sold-out concert of the same name.

BELIEVE is a follow-up to Belle’s previously dropped albums Daylight and Somber and Solemn. Her earlier ditties include Sigurado, Kahit Na, Kahit Pa, Tanging Dahilan, and Bugambilya.

She also earned the Listener’s Choice award in Billboard Philippines’ Women in Music and was named Spotify’s Lullaby Artist awardee this year.

“This album (BELIEVE) is so different from the previous one I would say because it’s, first, when it comes to my music, it’s also evolving. Parang nag-mature din siya, this album for me. And I’ve learned a lot this time since the tune is different, medyo fast beat na siya,” expressed Belle.

She is at the stage of exploring new music as an artist. “For me, whenever I pick a song, I want to try something new. And what we’ve heard is something new to me that I haven’t explored yet.

“And in the process of doing the album, that’s what I tried to explore like what would my voice sound like if I sang this way.”

She was hands-on in churning out the tracks in her EP. “I spoke to the composers as well paano namin gustong timplahin since iba’t iba po yung boses namin. So paano ko makukuha yung atake ko personally and not like them, but me. (It’s about) finding my own voice in music.”

ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan added that Belle listened to all the submitted demos and she chose the songs for her EP.

“It was a blind audition,” said Roxy. “She didn’t know who wrote the song. She found out about it (later) like, ‘Si Moira pala nagsulat nung song (and others).’ She also challenged us actually. She had this, ‘This is what I want in my next album and concert (mindset).’”

“She’s our creative producer for the concert and album. It’s up to her because she’s the one singing it and she will be the one who will share it to people.”

Meanwhile, Belle’s onscreen partner Donny hasn’t listened to the songs yet and it will be a surprise for him once he hears it, shared Belle.