To be included in the artist line-up carefully chosen for a big event that celebrates original Filipino music is both an honor and a highlight for Adjeng, a rising solo act who has long earned the respect of her peers and is now fast making her way to mainstream recognition.

Adjeng is part of the excitingly diverse roster slated to perform at the three-day Pinoy Playlist music festival set this Sept. 29 and 30 and Oct. 1. She will perform on Day 1 (Sept 29), 6 p.m. at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall in Maybank Performing Arts Theater. 

All roads go to the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City as top-notch musicians, art enthusiasts, and just about everyone digging the soul of music made and interpreted by Filipinos gather for a weekend of spirited live performances and great camaraderie.

"While I value every gig opportunity, I find this to be extra special because it’s the biggest and most inclusive celebration of original Pilipino music being staged in the country.  It’s a platform that embraces the melodies, sounds, and rhythms that make up OPM (Original Pilipino Music) today," said Adjeng who has been releasing digital singles since the summer of 2021, and is currently working on her first full-length album.

Some of the marquee acts expected to showcase their own music and selected covers of OPM gems include pioneers Gary Granada and Joey Ayala, top bands Autotelic and Rivermaya, and other solo artists, namely, Sam Concepcion, Ebe Dancel, Davey Langit, Lara Maigue, and Gian Magdangal.

The fact that Adjeng is among them reflects the high respect bestowed upon her by the festival’s esteemed curators, namely, national artist Ryan Cayabyab, The CompanY's main man Moy Ortiz, talent manager-author Noel Ferrer, and BGC Arts Center head Maribel Garcia. Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is one of the recipients of a special award named after Mr. C himself. 

Adjeng stressed, "To be part of this community of musicians joining this festival reminds me that there is much to do and much to be grateful for."

The singer-songwriter, who honed her craft partly by lead-singing for bands and shining bright in songwriting tiffs, is scheduled to do a 45-minute set. She said she plans to perform some singles she wrote herself over the past two years and a couple of unreleased tracks, one of which she penned during her recent stint at FILSCAP Songwriting Camp Year 5. 

The Communications Arts graduate started singing in bands right out of college, working as a content writer by day and performing in a show band at night. Her acoustic gigs with well-reputed session drummer Junjun Regalado and sought-after guitarist Ardie de Guzman (as they collectively called themselves AdJunDie) valuably helped refine her stage presence.

In 2004, their trio expanded and became Sipol, whose lineup included Marvin Querido (of Neocolours' fame), Michael Guevarra, Soc Mina, Junjun Perez, and now-solo Toto Sorioso. She later fronted another band called Wink (still including Regalado, along with Adam Cesante and JC Magsalin). 

Both Sipol and Wink were signed by GMA Records (Alt-G). 

"I learned so much from all my bandmates, and I still hold dear so many fond memories," the frontwoman-turned-soloist stressed.

Adjeng showcased her skill as a lyricist in her collaboration with Nino Regalado (brother of Junjun). They joined and got through the finals of both the Levi Celerio Music Festival (2004) and FILSCAP Songwriting Competition (2010). For the latter their entry won second place in the Best Pop category.   

In 2013, another of their joint efforts made it to the Top 12 of Philpop, with Cayabyab, being at the helm, inviting them to tour with him in universities and provinces to teach songwriting. "I became a sponge, absorbing and learning from Mr. C. and my fellow composers," she recalled.

She was likewise tapped to join the Elements Singing and Songwriting Camp in Dumaguete.

Fast forward to 2022, Adjeng committed herself to putting out songs she fully wrote, both melody and lyrics. Eventually, her singles “Rollercoaster,’ “More Than A Little,” “Be Kind,” “Kaya Mo Yan” and “Must Be Love” had all been picked for Spotify’s Fresh Finds and OPM Rising playlists. “More Than A Little” was chosen by Japan's DJ Taro in his Spotify playlist Rhythm and Groove.

A devoted family woman and worship leader, she shared, "To this day, I still do vocal training and take on as many workshops on songwriting and theater acting. Nothing like having a growth mindset while embracing my life as a happily married woman and a hands-on mom."

Adjeng recently attended the Anton Juan Masterclass (The Actor as Portal) where she said the experience "opened my mind to many interesting concepts about semiotics and specificity, which definitely made an impact on my inner music and how I approach and write my own music."

She also appeared on K-LITE 103.5’s “Spotlite” segment, where she sang original music shared thoughts about her compositions, as well as her advocacy as ambassador for mental health, songwriting, singing, and faith.

As Adjeng looks forward to the Pinoy Playlist music festival, she happily noted, "I have no doubt that this will be another exciting event and that it will encourage and awaken the passion of those involved in the arts to show up, enjoy creating, and uplift the Filipino."

She will be joined on stage by Christopher Buenviaje (guitar), Allan Abdula (drummer), Jan Michael Teodoro (bass), and Abby Clutario (keys).  

The Pinoy Playlist Music Festival 2023: Gunita At Mga Bukas is presented by the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. through the BGC Arts Center.