For those of us who are hopeless romantics, there’s nothing quite like the charm of a good rom-com. Whether it’s the scenes from Sarah Geronimo’s “A Very Special Love,” or the timeless banter of Jolina Magdangal’s “Kaibigan mo lang ako” in “Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang,” we’re reminded that love can spring up unexpectedly, in the most charming and delightful of ways.
And if we ever want to feel like the star of our very own rom-com, emerging Filipino singer-songwriter Rob Deniel has the perfect solution: “Listen to my music.”
With his retro-inspired romantic pop tunes and heartfelt lyrics close to home, the “RomCom” hitmaker’s artistry encapsulates the magic of love, making us feel like we’re living out our own movie-worthy love story. But before amassing over 4.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, he never thought all of this would ever happen, as he started making music in his bedroom with literally zero expectations.
“Just pure enjoyment of expressing my thoughts through music,” he expresses. “But I’m really grateful for where I’m at right now. Meeting new people who listen to my music has been so much fun.”
From having no expectations to experiencing soaring success, the “Miss Miss” songsmith never misses a beat in crafting melodies that tug at everyone’s heartstrings. It has been a long road for the OPM artist for sure, but he shares that he’s enjoying “labis na labis” every bit of the journey, including all the wrong turns and detours.
“Working with different people helped me gain all of this knowledge that I now use in my career. I think growing a deeper understanding of life helps me express all of my thoughts more clearly,” he further remarks.
Despite lacking extensive personal experiences in love, his vivid imagination, combined with other people’s stories and movie inspirations, adds depth and authenticity to his discography, from “Baby I Tried” to the most recent tracks gracing our playlists.
Starting with chord progressions on his guitar, Rob just lets the music guide him as the words flow naturally. It’s a process that’s been with him since the beginning of his songwriting journey. Once the song takes shape, he meticulously arranges every element on his computer, from drums to keyboard parts, before collaborating with a producer to refine the final product.
It’s definitely talent and courage combined for one of the chart-toppers of his generation. As he ascends to new heights and weaves his magic with each song, this young hotshot singer and multi-instrumentalist undoubtedly fills his younger self with pride, with a piece of advice that is a little kinder and more encouraging, “Trust your gut and keep enjoying the things you are doing.”
Parcinq sat down with Rob and talked more candidly about his life and music.
Q. Was there a specific moment in your life that made you decide that you wanted to become a musician?
Rob: “I once joined in a songwriting contest at our school back in 2020 before the pandemic. I made it to the top 10 finalists, but unfortunately, the contest was canceled due to the pandemic at that time. However, it definitely motivated me to write and produce more songs. Making it to the top 10 made me consider pursuing music more seriously.”
Q. For those who have just discovered your music, what song do you recommend they start listening to?
Rob: “I would recommend listening to ‘Sinta’ or ‘Ang Pag-Ibig’ first.”
Q. Who are some of your Filipino musical influences and how do they manifest in your line of work?
Rob: “Orange and Lemons and Itchyworms really inspired me to write those kinds of songs. They helped me understand my musical preferences, guiding me to focus on what I truly enjoy rather than just following trends.”
Q. If you were to choose one song to dedicate to your listeners, which song holds the most significance and connection for you?
Rob: “My song ‘Ang Pag-Ibig’ is really something special to me. I can dedicate it to them as a way of expressing gratitude for the love they show to me and my music.”
Q. Filipino artists you would like to collaborate with and why?
Rob: “I would love to write a song with Ben&Ben; they're such a versatile band, and I really want to learn a lot from them.”
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Photography by Rxandy Capinpin
Styling by Ton Lao
Grooming by Aron Guevara
Hair by Mycke Arcano
Words and Interview by Hans Ethan Carbonilla
Special thanks to Ken Opina of Viva Artists Agency