The music career of Matt Lozano and girl group XOXO continue to prosper with both releasing new singles.
Matt, who is also currently busy with the hit series "Voltes V: Legacy," couldn't be more grateful, relating how his new song, "Liham" is quite different from his first two releases.
He described it as "Gen Z OPM."
Note that "Liham" is self-penned and based on his personal experience.
"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi nabuhos ko yung gusto kong sabihin," he shared, relating how he created it in just 15 minutes.
His efforts worked with "Liham" actually debuting at #4 on iTunes PH's Top 100 Songs chart upon its release.
Matt admitted he got emotional upon hearing the finished product for the first time.
"Maririnig mo yung raw emotion," he said, intimating that "Liham" is about moving on from a sad moment and practicing self-love.
He's thankful that GMA gave him enough creative freedom in crafting the tune.
Matt said it actually helped him personally, as his music became an outlet for emotional release.
He is hoping to collaborate with other artists for future releases.
When asked to name some, Matt mentioned Crystal Paras in particular.
He didn't elaborate though.
'Go lang ng go!'
Meanwhile, XOXO, composed of Riel Lomadilla, Dani Ozaraga, Mel Caluag, and Lyra Micolob, are thankful for the opportunities given them.
They want fans to know how happy they are about it via their new single "GLNG (Go Lang Nang Go)" which is about rising to life’s challenges.
"Sobrang excited. It's our first time singing a Filipino song tapos upbeat pa siya. It's different from our first two previous songs," said Riel.
"We're so grateful and thankful po to be given an opportunity to be able to interpret this kind of song kasi yung mga songs namin, if you can notice, all of them are in the line of giving inspiration, giving motivations to people cause that's what important to us," she added.
One of their main goals as a group is to inspire people and Riel believes their new single helps.
"We're leaning towards trying to inspire others kasi we've been inspired by those songs and we want to share the message. And we want to share the joy that we felt when we first heard the song," Riel reiterated.
She admitted that up until now, they still can't believe they are where they are now.
"Akalain mo yun nandito pa rin kami," she quipped. "Pati po kami hindi makapaniwala na three years na rin po kami as a group and five years sa showbiz."
READ: XOXO returns to spotlight
Riel added: "Five years ago, we were just a bunch of kids na nangangarap na mapanuod sa TV. And who would have thought na we're living our dreams and we're actually working with the people na dati ina-idolize lang namin."
"Ang dami talagang nangyayari kasi nabago talaga yung buhay namin from five years ago until now," she went on. "We're so grateful. Tapos as a girl group, hindi mo aakalain - na lalo na nu'ng nag-pandemic, parang everyone was expecting us to fail. Ang daming nangyaring mga set backs but with the help of GMA we stood the test of time... Sa dinami-rami ng nag-audition, pati sa XOXO but kami pa rin yung napili. So it really means we are meant to be here and we will do everything to stay here to fight for our dreams no matter what happens."
The members of XOXO were former "The Clash" contestants.
They conmtinue to make their presence felt via social media doing song covers.
They are to perform in Singapore next month at the "SPECTACLE! 2023: The Best of S-Pop & P-Pop" concert.
"GLNG" landed at #6 on the iTunes chart upon release.
It's now available for streaming on all digital platforms worldwide.