Zack believes in marriage, but it's not a priority at the moment. He hopes to take their relationship to the next level in the future.
Zack Tabudlo: So in love with Abby
At a glance
Chart-topping Filipino singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo is in love as he captivates hearts with his latest single, "Feel This Way," under UMG Philippines. With a talent for weaving heartfelt stories into unforgettable songs, Zack continues to cement his position as one of the most sought-after OPM artists in the country with his latest release.
During a Zoom with the OPM superstar on June 6, Zack shared that the new music was inspired by his love story with his girlfriend Abby, whom he met while on tour. The song vividly portrays affection and longing, encapsulating true love in its purest form and describing what it’s like to be with the right person.
“Every line in ‘Feel This Way’ is based on how I felt when I met Abby, so every line is a favorite," Zack said. This sentiment underlines his music's genuine and heartfelt nature, solidifying his status as an icon in the Philippine music scene.
Zack has just returned from the US, where he attended his girlfriend's graduation. Abby's graduation with summa cum laude honors has filled Zack with immense pride.
"Yes, she graduated summa cum laude. I went to California a few weeks ago and came there to celebrate with her because she graduated with honors," he said.
Despite only being in a relationship with Abby for six months, the 22-year-old musician said he's fortunate to be close to Abby's family, and she was to his family and friends.
"We were all in contact, and all our families were together. That's a big factor in our relationship, and it feels right," he added.
Zack described Abby as a sweetheart. He reminisced about the first time he laid eyes on her.
"The funny thing is when I met her on tour, she actually didn't know my music much. She knew one song or two but that was pretty much. That made me fall in love with her. Kasi in the industry, medyo mahirap magtiwala. People appreciate you for who you are, for your music or your craft. But my girlfriend broke the stereotype. So I guess that's why I fell in love with her," he recalled.
Zack believes in marriage, but it's not a priority at the moment. He hopes to take their relationship to the next level in the future.
"She's someone I look forward to carrying with me, maybe in the future, but she is still studying. She's taking up medicine so that she will become a doctor. I don't want to ruin her momentum right now, especially when you're both young. We were all taking it slow and just enjoying it basically."
The singer admitted that maintaining a long-distance relationship with Abby is a significant challenge, but he is willing to give it a try in the name of love.
"Personally, I don't really believe in long-distance (relationship) because parang hindi ko ma-capture yung idea na nagmamahal ka ng someone miles and miles away from you.
"But I learned you cherish someone a lot in a long-distance relationship. Every time na magkikita kayo, for example, like sometimes lang in a few months or sometimes in a year, mas na che-cherish ninyo ang isa't isa. Grabe ang excitement na mararamdaman ninyong dalawa, especially with the person you love," Zack said.
He added: "I am also blessed because my capabilities din ako like when I am on tour, nakakapunta rin ako sa US. Sinasakto ko na rin siya sa shows ko. So nagkikita kami ng girlfriend ko. Sumakto rin talaga lahat."
Zack said that he and Abby knew it would take a lot of sacrifices being in a long-distance affair.
"If you want the relationship to work, marami talaga ang sacrifices. Andyan rin talaga yung bigat or emotions na hindi mo nakikita ang partner mo. Ganun talaga. Kung mahal ninyo ang isa't isa, gagawin ninyo ang lahat," the famed musician said.
Made In Singapore
Zack released his new song with a video shot entirely in Singapore. The video was made in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board for their latest campaign, Made in Singapore.
The Made in Singapore campaign showcases quintessential Singaporean experiences, from iconic attractions to hidden gems. It emphasizes how ordinary moments are transformed into extraordinary experiences and meaningful connections, which can only be found in this vibrant city.
Zack mentioned that this was his first time shooting a music video abroad and that he was personally involved in the concept development.
"When I came up with the track, the production team was also super hands-on with the concept of the story and how it went forward as well.
"And so again, the chosen location is Singapore. I just feel relaxed every time I go there. The backdrop of the music video was Singapore so we went into the iconic hawkers in Singapore and the Changi Airport as well. It kinda binds me every time I go to their port. So yes! I was hands-on with everything," he said.
Zack roamed the Lion City in search of unexplored creative spaces to help find inspiration for an unfinished track he’s been working on. As it turns out, it was exactly what he needed to finish his next big hit.
The music video for the single was also shot against the backdrop of Singapore’s iconic landmarks and vibrant art scene - showcasing the city’s charm and allure to a global audience.
Beyond human connections, Zack also reflects on his connection to Singapore. He expressed, “I’ve been to Singapore a couple of times already and always loved their beautiful country, it feels like a second home to me.”
Joining Zack in the music video is internet sensation Jessica Lee, the music video promises to be a visual spectacle, capturing the essence of young love and the beauty of connections made in the bustling streets of Singapore.
Zack reminisced about the filming experience, saying, “It was fun working with Jessica. My favorite part would be shooting in Singapore’s beautiful airport. That’s also when the excitement for this project started to sink in. I hope she had a great time too, shooting the music video.”
He also tackled the challenges in shooting the music video for "Feel This Way," which he wrote for four hours.
"Definitely the humidity. But Singapore is really fun for being really good. So, I'm a person who sweats a lot. Sobrang pawisin ako sa stage. So we shot this from morning until night for a few days.
"I was actually shooting for the video with Jessica Lee. Both of us really take up the weather too much. Sobrang lagkit talaga ng pawis pero ang ganda talaga ng sceneries sa Singapore. Ang ganda ng mga view," Zack said.
Zack also said it wasn't the first time he worked with Jessica. They also collaborated on a video on his YouTube Channel. "We did this parang mukbang. . We just ate a bunch of Filipino food as we talked about my music and my journey. We also talked about her journey for her content. So we have known each other for a few months before shooting the video."
For now, no sad songs for Zack such as in the peg of "Asan Ka Na Ba" and "Pano." Zack is in love and he wants you to feel the same.
For now, Zack doesn't have any sad songs like "Asan Ka Na Ba" and "Pano." He's in love and inspired. He wants you to feel the same way.
With billions of streams under his belt and dedicated fans not only in the Philippines but across the Southeast Asian region, Zack remains at the forefront of OPM.
Expressing his gratitude to his supporters, Zack remarked, “Thank you all so much to all the listeners and fans of my music. Thanks for all the love and support, and I hope you continue to support OPM.”