A solid partnership between a singer and a songwriter has time and again proven to be a healthy link towards delivering a record that spells magic. Bring into the table the backing of a management that believes in the talent of a race known the world over for balladry and musicality, and the result is a potential hit song introducing a voice that long deserved to be in digital music platforms.
“Ikaw Pa Rin,” released on July 23, is the debut single of Julius Cawaling, a grand finalist of ABS-CBN’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan Season 3 who pleased TV viewers with his commendable renditions of familiar chart toppers and classics. It’s a track penned by Ireland-based Nathaniel Cabanero whom Julius has been collaborating with by way of digital technology.
The veteran songwriter makes use of his home music studio to work with partner-artists like Julius. He found the gentleman's journey so inspiring that he even completed a song inspired by the singer’s ascent from a hardworking showband singer to a viral act whose defining live version of "Angels Brought Me Here" quickly garnered more than a million views.
Just last month, Nathaniel's composition “Only When” reintroduced on a fine note his wife-singer Judie Alegarme to current-generation listeners.
The Tagalog gem "Ikaw Pa Rin," a ballad with an all-too-real feel and so-clear message a lot of lovestruck Pinoys can relate with, is the one picked by RJA Productions which recently signed Julius under its remarkably growing stable. The US-based management group, led by its namesake head Rosabella Jao-Arribas, definitely saw the young-looking, showstopping cover artist fit for the kind of talents it wants to fully support – Pinoy by work and heart and deserving in all fronts.
“Sobrang laki ng nagawa sa akin ng TNT stint ko, and to think that it was a hard climb to make it to the last stage, it was really worth it,” expressed the fast-rising social media star.
A talent who equates his gift by literally reaching out to help people in need, Julius Cawaling has kept his work as lead vocalist for the band Arpie & D’ Multivitamins while serving as key personnel for the Non-Government Organization Feed Hungry Minds. Julius and his mates donate part of their earnings to people who truly deserve help, and he himself goes to places to hand over relief goods or cash assistance.
While other artists have to wait for superstardom to give back to the needy, Julius has been diligently doing it long before he even made a mark on TNT where he showed everyone he’s the type who’d not waste a given opportunity after he shone bright through the competition’s Resbak route.
Nathaniel’s take of Julius speaks volumes: “Para sa akin, ‘yung boses ni Julius ay napaka-unique and sounds like a combination of the voices of Ariel Rivera and Gary Valenciano.”
While he had long relocated to the heart of Europe with his family, Nathan has not lost touch with what makes an original Filipino song tick. He has even gone full-time songwriting, with the Pinoy sensibility of his work forever intact. He recalled posting a lyric line on Facebook that merited good reaction from several people. Thus, became the first line of “Ikaw Pa Rin.”
Julius has a natural grip on the way Filipinos embrace romance and seemingly unreachable dreams. In one of his posts, he said, “Wag mong hintayin, just work hard for it, darating din siya.”
Needless to say, his break into the recording scene had finally come. The upcoming release of “Ikaw Pa Rin” is the start of some great new things for an artist who shares his blessings and deserves to be further blessed.