Earl Agustin has never been the typical story of a Manila breakout artist. The Ozamiz-born singer-songwriter is staking his claim in the Filipino music scene with Himig at Pag-ibig, a debut album that pushes through the noise and lands right where it needs to on its own terms. Coming out on June 13 across all major streaming platforms, the record captures a voice that isn’t trying to be part of the Manila sound, but lets his hometown soul lead the charge.
Agustin’s mix of heart, melody, and regional roots turns Himig at Pag-ibig into a highly anticipated local release. “Basin Puhon,” laced with Bisaya lyricism, offers quiet hope, while Agustin’s voice carries a rough-edged elegance his songs. His earlier releases “Aya” and “Dalangin” return here, each track built on restrained devotion and emotional honesty.
“Tibok,” the song that first turned heads with its cool sound of soul and funk, pulls no punches. It’s catchy and heartfelt to a point where its surge across streaming charts was the sound of someone cutting through with something real. Agustin made history with that track, becoming the first Filipino artist to break major streaming milestones with a debut single. He rides that wave into Himig at Pag-ibig with a tighter grip and sharper focus.
A collaboration with Dana Paulene on “Minamahal” adds another dimension to the album. From start to finish, Himig at Pag-ibig is proof that stories from the edges of the map still deserve center stage, and Earl Agustin is echoing far beyond Ozamiz.
