If you’ve been to Cup of Joe’s SilakJOE Fanzone or the Kamote Festival in Tarlac, you’ve probably seen Amiel Sol perform live.

Sol is the singer-songwriter behind the hit “Sa Bawat Sandali.” And he isn’t just a name to watch. He’s the soundtrack to your next romantic daydream!

Forget manufactured pop. This fast-rising artist and UP Diliman alumnus is delivering authentic kilig, one viral track at a time. “Ikaw Lang Ang Patutunguhan,” an endearing track from Sol, peaked at number seven on Spotify’s Viral 50 Philippines. It boasts over 3.7 million streams as of writing. Meanwhile, “Sa Bawat Sandali” topped Spotify Philippines’ Daily Top Songs chart, exceeding 31 million streams. “Soup,” a song he released under Ivory Music, is yet another delectable offering.

In a recent Roadshow interview, Sol talked about his craft and journey — from being a UP student navigating the Covid-19 pandemic to becoming a full-fledged artist.

You’re a UP graduate who navigated college life both before and during the pandemic. How was that journey for you? Did it affect your drive in music?

I think sa akin, personally, medyo mahirap kasi I’ve lived both worlds na pre-pandemic and pandemic na college. So na-experience ko ‘yung how college life was before the pandemic and how online classes were especially noong simula noong online classes. Medyo all over the place pa kasi syempre bago pa tayo sa lahat sa ganung situation. 

So I think I made the most out of it. Doon nag-start actually ‘yung pag-release ko ng songs noong pandemic. So noong period na wala pang school, wala pang online classes, doon ako nag-start talaga mag-record, mag-YouTube-YouTube — how to produce songs and how to release them.

You’ve created eight original tracks between 2020 to 2021. That’s a massive feat for you. Now, this 2025 (and we’re barely over with the first quarter), you had many firsts like your first solo out-of-town gig and mall show. Take us through these milestones.

Sobrang daming mga unexpected na mga bagay na nangyari. And I really just want to be grateful for everything. I don’t want to take anything for granted. So I want to seize every opportunity ngayong 2025. That’s why I really want to be more consistent… lalo na ngayon na medyo umaangat na ‘yung music natin. Sobrang excited lang ako for what the future holds, especially this year.

In retrospect, I’m sure you were a musician before the pandemic, and it seems like the pandemic was your lightbulb moment. But how did your passion for music begin?

Noong Grade 2 ako, doon ako nag-start mag-guitar. Meron kasi kaming spare guitar sa bahay. And then, nagpaturo lang ako sa kapitbahay ko. And then, I started singing actually noong college lang ako. I was in a band noong high school, along with my high school friends. We were joining battle of the bands — but I was a guitarist, ‘di ako kumakanta. 

Noong hiwahiwalay na kami nung college, hindi na kami nakakatugtof together. I decided: I really wanted to continue this. Kahit ako lang, acoustic, so I had to sing for myself… I was forced to sing for myself. And then, nag-tuloy-tuloy siya.

How about your songwriting process?

Actually, wala naman akong specific process when it comes to writing songs. I really just attack whatever comes first. So sometimes, it's the chord progression. Sometimes, it's the melody. Sometimes, it's the theme of the song itself or a specific hook of a song. So whatever comes first, I build it from there.

Growing up, who were your musical influences?

Johnoy Danao. ‘Yun talaga. Gusto ko ‘yung kung paano siya magsulat ng kanta. And isa pa si Ebe Dancel. Silang dalawa ‘yung pinaka nagmo-mold kung paano ako magsulat ng kanta.

Speaking of your creations, can you talk about “Ikaw Ang Patutunguhan?”

Actually, ‘yung isa kong kanta “Sa Bawat Sandali,” ‘yun ‘yung nag-number one. And then ito, I think number five. Sobrang saya kasi, kahit anong chart, hindi ko siya na-expect. 

I think, I really just write songs because I love to do it. And everything else is a bonus. And syempre, napakalaking bonus nito. So, sobrang thankful lang ako. Just like I said earlier, I just really want to be grateful for everything. Especially ‘yung mga ganito na... Ako, I really like my songs. What more kapag nagustuhan ng ibang tao? So, sobrang thankful ko lang talaga.

What’s the song all about?

I think ‘yung pinaka-core ng kanta na ‘to is the invisible string theory na we all have someone meant for us. And whatever we do in life, we will end up there. That's what this is about, specifically, the hook: Saan man maglayag, ikaw lang patutunguhan.

What about “Sa Bawat Sandali”?

As I mentioned earlier, gustong gusto ko ‘yung mga kanta nila Johnoy Danao. And one thing about their songs is it’s always about yearning. 

Ito, it’s about the type of love that comes after ‘yung kilig. Tipong hindi ka na masyadong kinakabahan — Ano bang susuotin ko ‘pag magkikita na?. Ganyan. More on, pahinga mo na siya. And I think that's the kind of love that we all strive for. Syempre, masaya ‘yung kilig-kilig sa simula. But after that, ang sarap din na umuwi ka sa taong pahinga mo.

Your milestones are not an overnight success. Can you talk about the challenges you faced while starting in the music industry?

I started releasing songs in the middle of the pandemic. Walang gigs. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung way na maka-connect ka sa audience mo, ‘di ba, other than social media. So, ‘yun, isa sa mga naging struggles ko during the pandemic. 

And another siguro is when I was independent, ‘yung mismong business side of music — doon ako nahirapan. How to market myself, how to book my gigs. So, everything was a first time for me, which is why I really was very happy nung pinick-up ako ng record label.

Amiel Sol creates popular, romantic songs with heartfelt lyrics, as seen in his hits like “Ikaw Lang Patutunguhan” and “Sa Bawat Sandali.” Watch our Roadshow Interview with him below:

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Editor’s Note: Minor edits have been made to the interview for clarity and grammatical accuracy.