Singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel admitted that his departure from Sugarfree in 2011 — a band he had led for 12 years — was one of the toughest decisions of his decades-long career.

“When I went my own way, I understood that it was going to be a difficult journey, coming from a band that had enjoyed the kind of success we did. I had to start from scratch. That was probably the hardest part of all,” Ebe shared during an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Entertainment on Oct. 7.

“I didn’t have any shows. I didn’t have much going for myself,” he recalled. “During hard days, those are the moments I go back to — as a reminder that there’s a reason to keep doing what I do.”

Ebe admitted that going solo did not change his approach to songwriting.

"When I was with my former band, I used to write songs by myself and then present it to them afterward. That process is still the same," he said.

He also admitted that he is still the "pen and paper and guitar kind of guy."

"In the age of smartphones and computers, I'm still a pen and paper and guitar kind of guy.  I wrote a song like two weeks ago using a notepad and a pen and just my guitar. I used a computer to record the demo, but the process has not really changed," he related.

Ebe is set to do a repeat of the concert he did with the Manila Strings Machine five years ago.

This time, they are staging it in a bigger venue and with a new lineup of songs.

"I wanted to do this because I wanted to celebrate the fans. Aside from it being a commemoration of my 25 years in the business, the hard work, it's something that I could share with the fans, not just via, you know, a post of something on Instagram or Facebook. I want it to be a live experience that everyone will enjoy," he said.

For the repeat, Ebe will be joined by a 20-piece orchestra led by Chino David, with Paolo Valenciano directing the whole show.

The concert promises to be a showcase of his legacy both as solo artist and principal songwriter of Sugarfree.

The repeat is also Ebe’s way of deepening his connections with trusted collaborators.

"Paolo [Valenciano] is a dear friend. I have so much respect for him as a concert director, so he was my only choice to do this show again. For me to work on something this big, I need to be able to fully trust the guys running the show. Hence, Paolo Valenciano, and as musical director, Chino David."

The highly anticipated event will take place on Nov. 15, 2025, at the New Frontier Theater.

Ebe Dancel channeled his inner Adam Sandler when his song “Bawat Daan” became a staple at wedding events.

“I’ve been invited to a lot of weddings, actually, since I wrote that song,” he shared. “I’ve become some sort of a wedding singer. It’s always fun to be a part of something like that.”

But Ebe clarified that the song isn’t really about marriage — it’s about life coming full circle. Still, he appreciates every couple who chooses it as their wedding song.

“Some people think it’s a praise song. It’s not. It’s a love song,” he explained. “But the whole point of the song, when I wrote it, is about going full circle. You go through life, there are many roads, but every road you take always leads to home.”

He then shared a little-known anecdote about a couple who took their love for the song to the next level — by having its lyrics written on their wedding cake.

“Hanggang wedding cake, ginamit nila yung lyrics. Very elaborate. It’s cute. I appreciate those things,” Ebe said with a laugh.