The synth-pop ballad “Multo” by Cup of Joe shouldn’t have worked for the Baguio-based ensemble — at least not given their boyband roots. Known for their stylish choreographed performances, fan interactions on stage, and the dual vocals of Gian Bernardino and Raphael Ridao, the group built their name on upbeat pop that’s bred from the pine trees of Baguio City. Yet when they released the melancholic track last October, months before the official release of their debut album Silakbo, it revealed an emotional depth fans hadn’t anticipated.
Initially overlooked, “Multo” has since become a slow-burning phenomenon, joining other surprise hits like Hev Abi’s “Alam Mo Ba Girl” and Maki’s “Dilaw” in dominating charts long after release. But for Cup of Joe, it was an artistic awakening. The lyrics “Pasindi na ng ilaw/ Minumulto na ‘ko ng damdamin ko” resonate as a metaphor for the band’s own evolution, shedding their playful image to confront the ghosts of their musical journey. To add to the virality, some listeners have reinterpreted its ghostly imagery through deeply personal lenses: TikTok users attribute it to lost loved ones, faded friendships, or even the specter of past selves. “Multo got me on a chokehold beh,” one comment reads, “feeling ko meron akong ex of 7 years.”
Their stripped-down Cozy Cove performance, now amassing 3.3 million views as of this writing, showcased this transformation in the live footage. Gone were the theatrics; in their place stood raw vulnerability, with haunting lighting underscoring the song’s emotional weight. Even their sold-out two-night concert felt like vindication, proving their artistry extended beyond spectacle.
What makes “Multo” remarkable is its timing. Arriving after the initial hype of Silakbo, it defied the usual post-album slump, growing bigger than the band itself. Like Mayonnaise and Kitchie Nadal’s career resurgences, it reveals an essential truth: the most enduring art often simmers before it boils over, lingering like the ghost it’s named after, long after trends fade.
For a band once defined by youthful exuberance, “Multo” marks Cup of Joe’s arrival as serious pop storytellers. The numbers prove it, but the real victory lies in how a song about the past has become the foundation for their future.
