Melody Specialist & Songwriter

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: One of my proudest projects was contributing four songs to Christian Bautista’s album “Captured.” One track was my own lyrics and music, while three were collaborations where I composed the melodies. It was my first major industry recognition and confirmed my strength in creating strong, memorable toplines.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recently finished projects such as school hymns and songs for competitions. I also remain active as a band vocalist and guitarist with JED KSA, performing regularly.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Not at the moment.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog has unmatched warmth, but digital offers creativity, speed, and flexibility—making it the best choice for modern songwriting and collaboration.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I promise to deliver industry-ready toplines, songwriting, and vocals that stay true to your vision. Whether it’s a melody for existing lyrics, a full song, or a demo with live instruments, I’ll ensure professional quality and a creative result tailored to your style.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping artists and producers bring their vision to life and seeing those songs grow into hits. As a performer myself, I know the excitement of connecting with an audience, and I love creating music that gives others the same opportunity.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: “How fast can you deliver?” → I typically deliver within 5–7 days depending on project scope. “Can you match the style of this artist?” → Yes, with a good reference track, I can adapt melodies and tone to fit the style you’re aiming for. “Can you provide a demo with instruments?” → Yes, I can create demos with vocals and guitar or piano accompaniment.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That songwriting is just about “coming up with a tune.” In reality, it’s a careful balance of storytelling, melody, and emotion that makes a song truly connect with listeners.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask for a reference track, lyrics (if available), preferred style, and timeline. I also like to understand the emotional direction or story they want the song to convey. If clients are open to a quick call, that’s great, but I’m flexible with whichever communication method they prefer

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Look for someone with both industry experience and a proven track record. I’ve written songs recorded by top Philippine artists, and I create melodies quickly while ensuring lasting quality. My goal is to deliver songs that connect deeply, music people will want to sing along to.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: An acoustic guitar, portable digital recorder, condenser mic, power bank/solar charger, and extra guitar strings.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I began composing in the late 1990s and became professionally recognized in 2007. With over two decades of experience, I’ve written for both major label and independent artists, including contributing four songs to Christian Bautista’s Captured album, which helped establish my career. I also released a project album under Warner Music Philippines as David Idol, where I wrote the lyrics and performed, showcasing my versatility in both mainstream and novelty-style songwriting.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: When writing melodies, I let creativity come first, then the instrument follows, this approach allows me to craft unique melodies quickly. My style spans pop, rock, ballad, acoustic, and inspirational, but I’m also versatile enough to create anthemic, bossa, or upbeat songs depending on client needs.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Adele. I believe some of my melodies and songwriting style would complement her emotional depth and vocal range beautifully.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always start with inspiration, songs with meaning resonate best. Once the melody is set, recording becomes easier, but mixing can take longer. Set a deadline for mixing to avoid overdoing it; music production should stay creative and fun, not stressful.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Pop, ballad, acoustic, inspirational, and rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is creating memorable vocal melodies that connect with listeners. Long before the YouTube era, I was already writing industry-level songs that stood the test of time.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring catchy, memorable melodies and lyrics across pop, ballad, rock, and acoustic genres, songs designed to be relatable and enjoyable, even to the youngest listener.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: As a songwriter, if lyrics are provided, I begin by reading and internalizing the words before creating melodies in my head allowing creativity to flow naturally before touching an instrument. As a topliner, I start by understanding the lyrics and emotion of the song, then shape a vocal melody that fits the music and brings the story to life.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work with a Focusrite audio interface, Yamaha HS5 monitors, and Audio-Technica headphones for accurate listening. My microphones include an MXL condenser and a Shure SM58, and I record with both acoustic and electric guitars paired with boutique effects pedals. I use REAPER as my main DAW, along with VST instruments for keyboards, drums, and other elements. Whether you need a raw acoustic demo or a fuller production, I can adapt my setup to match your project’s needs.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I’ve always been inspired by artists like The Beatles and ABBA for their timeless melodies and universal appeal. In music production, I’m inspired by any song that gives me goosebumps, music that connects deeply and emotionally, regardless of genre.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most of my work is focused on topline writing, songwriting, and male vocals. I specialize in creating catchy, memorable melodies and lyrics across pop, ballad, rock, and acoustic genres. Depending on your needs, I can: -Write original vocal melodies for your lyrics or track. -Deliver a full song with both lyrics & melody. -Record a polished demo with male vocals and live instruments (acoustic/electric guitar or piano), tailored to your reference track and style. My goal is always to provide industry-ready quality that brings your musical vision to life.