Gello Marquez, an alum of the first season of Idol Philippines, is passionate about both acting and music, although music will always hold a special place in his heart.

"Music talaga ang aking first love. Sobrang music lover ako. Lagi akong nakikinig ng music kahit naliligo. Gusto ko laging may music. I guess gugustuhin ko pa rin itong gawin and I hope in the future makagawa ako ng isang album na gawa ko ang lahat ng sariling kanta," said Gello during a listening party for his debut album released under Star Music last Sept. 8.

(Music is my first love. I'm a huge music lover. I always listen to music, even when I'm taking a shower. I always wanted to have music. I hope I can create an album consisting of my own compositions.)

The self-titled album has seven Filipino tracks, including “Hanap Kong Baby,” “Kumot At Unan,” “Duda-duda,” “Kaibigan,” “Teddy Bear,” “Torpe,” and his first single “Penpen" released last month. The easy-listening tracks were chosen based on his affinity for old songs. “It’s a modernized version of old songs kasi sobrang love ko yung mga lumang kanta."

Gello, 22, had always dreamed of writing a song but ended up releasing a self-titled album.

"Sobrang overwhelming ang lahat ng nangyayari sa akin ngayon. Dati nangangarap lang ako na magkaroon ako ng sariling kanta, ngayon album pa yung ibinigay,” he said.

The young actor-singer, previously seen in "He's Into Her" and "Love Bites," compares love to a game of hiding feelings and trying to find it in “Penpen.”  Inspired by the Filipino game  “Penpen de Sarapen,” “Penpen” was composed by Allan G. Alveyra Jr. and Karl James Fabregas. Gello also previously released the "Penpen" music video, which features a love triangle between him, BGYO member Akira Morishita, and former "Pinoy Big Brother Otso" housemate Ashley del Mundo.

Composer Jonathan Manalo described Gello's strength as a balladeer.

"Unang nakita namin si Gello, nakita namin yung promise sa kanya as a recording artist kasi malinaw sa kanya kung ano ang choices niya as an artist, song direction na pupuntahan niya. Hands-on talaga siya sa pagpili ng mga songs, treatment ng areglo. Importante yun sa mga artista para magkaroon ng longevity.

(When we first saw Gello, we saw his promise as a recording artist because he was clear about his choices as an artist and the song direction he would take. He was hands-on in selecting songs and treatment of arrangements, which is essential for artists' longevity.

"As a singer alam niya mismo saan dadalhin ang music niya. Ganun talaga ang perfect relationship between the label and an artist. Dapat collaborative. So yun pa lang nakikita namin na magiging long-term yung career ni Gelo kasi aware siya sa mga creative choices na ginagawa niya.

(As a singer, he knows where his music will take him. That's the perfect relationship between the label and an artist. It must be collaborative. So, we can see that Gello's career will be long-term because he is aware of creative choices, which he does.)

"Gusto ko rin sana ma develop ni Gello eventually yun kanyang songwriting kasi yun talaga ang gusto niyang ma-achive later on sa career. That he would be able to write for himself. Right now he's a serenader. And makikita ninyo na kapag kinakantahan niya ang audience kikiligin lang. Yung boses niya sobrang easy on the ears, masarap pakinggan. 

(I would also like Gello to develop his songwriting because that is what he wants to achieve later in his career. That he would be able to write for himself. Right now, he's a serenader. And you can see that the audience will be thrilled when he sings. His voice is so easy on the ears; it's nice to listen to.)

"But our long term direction namin kay Gello is for him to be able to write his own songs na nasa ganung formula. Easy listening lang na mare-relax ka lang kapag maririnig mo. And yung boses ni Gello can provide that experience.

(But our long-term direction with Gello is for him to be able to write his songs that have that formula. It's easy listening, and you can relax when you hear it. And Gello's voice can provide that experience.)

"Another strength is his personality. Napansin namin yung confidence niya at natural charm niya. Kapag kumakanta siya mapapangiti ka. Meron siyang natural wit and fun personality na hindi mo makikita sa ibang balladeers. So isa yun sa advantage ni Gello na meron siyang ganung personality na hindi common sa ibang balladeers," said Jonathan.

(Another strength is his personality. We noticed his confidence and his natural charm. When he sings, you will smile. He has a natural wit and fun personality that you don't see in other balladeers. So one of Gello's advantages is that he has a kind personality, which is unfamiliar with other balladeers.)