Belle Mariano's 'And Solemn' Album Delves Further Into Music as Narrative | ABS-CBN

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Belle Mariano's 'And Solemn' Album Delves Further Into Music as Narrative

Belle Mariano's 'And Solemn' Album Delves Further Into Music as Narrative

Grace Libero-Cruz

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Updated Jan 25, 2024 11:11 PM PHT

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Belle Mariano on her Belle Mariano Photography by Pat Buenaobra


Music is a form of storytelling. And in every song in her albums, there’s a piece of Belle Mariano that can fit into a bigger puzzle that is other people’s narrative.


Just as how life is a series of events, there is a sense of continuity and flow in Belle’s musical repertoire and emotional reservoir. She’s intentional in setting the tone of her music and sustaining it. And Solemnthe second installment of her two-part record, following the Somber album—is like “the resolution,” Belle said.


Whereas the tracks in Somber tackle the complex stages of loss, And Solemn has a reassuring mood that hopes to inspire people to make peace with their broken pieces. Once whole again, the search for one’s purpose continues, a journey that constantly feeds one’s heart and soul with the positivity to get through any day.



“I wanted it to be more of, like, a storytelling: how a person goes through life, encountering ‘sombers’ in life, but at the same time, there’s always something to look forward to and that’s the ‘solemns’ in life,” Belle pondered.

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Themes of highs and lows encapsulated in the relatable lyrics meld beautifully with Belle’s mellow voice. And Solemn features the tracks “Walang Pake,” “Shot Me Right Through,” “Nobody Else,” “I Choose Me,” and “Autumn” (which is in collaboration with Ben&Ben and also part of the Can’t Buy Me Love soundtrack).


When asked to describe And Solemn using the letters B-E-L-L-E, the quick-witted Belle answered with a well-crafted sentence instead: it’s that the album is about “Being Enlightened in Life and Love Everyday.”



With Belle’s songs in the background, fans and casual listeners alike can have a constant source of inspiration from, for instance, hearing stories about not letting anything or anyone dictate their next steps, like in “Walang Pake.” “Shot Me Right Through” is about being hopeful for brighter days when it comes to relationships. Loyalty, eternal love, and that constant yearning for someone are at the core of “Nobody Else.” Self-love during a healing journey is the timeless and universal topic explored in “I Choose Me.” Finally, “Autumn” sends the message that no matter the uncertainty that comes along with being away from a significant other, know that seasons come and go, and that happier and more vibrant seasons in our lives await.


Currently, the song Belle can relate to the most from this track list is “I Choose Me.” “Lahat tayo makaka-relate du’n,” she said of the empowering song that emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the progress one has made in a difficult journey.


Belle Mariano on her


Belle co-wrote two songs in Somber (Roadtrip” and “Somber & Solemn”), and although she has no songwriting credits for And Solemn, she made sure to share her input and give justice to her collaborators’ works. Trisha Denise (“Walang Pake”), Angelica Tagadtad (“Shot Me Right Through”), KZ Tandingan (“Nobody Else”), Anjila Lim (“I Choose Me”), and Paolo and Miguel of Ben&Ben (“Autumn”) shared their songwriting/composing talent and expertise in Belle’s latest EP.


“We recorded [And Solemn] at the same time Somber was recorded, too. Maybe I just love not just being able to sing those amazing songs composed by amazing artists but also having my input in them. Have a bit of my taste in them. How I would imbibe the song and how I would translate the song to the audience—I think that was the most memorable for me [during recording], like how I would articulate them to the listeners,” Belle shared.


She did add, though, that she intends to further exercise her songwriting skills. “Hopefully, in the future, I get to write more songs and, you know, be able to inspire more people through my songs,” she said.



On January 27, Belle will sing these songs live for the first time at “The Solemn Album Launch” to be held in Skydome. In July last year, she held her first-ever sold-out solo concert at the New Frontier Theater titled Beloved: Belle,” showcasing her strong and charming stage presence. Now, on what to expect from her upcoming event, this actress-singer teases, “Maraming pasabog! It’s going to be very exciting, hopefully inspirational… I hope they [her fans] receive the solemness I’m sharing with them.”


What is a “solemn” moment for this busy lady anyway? Every day can be a solemn moment, Belle emphasized, saying, “One thing I really look forward to whenever I go through my day [is], you know, just having a cup of coffee in the morning or being able to, you know, dine with my family, eat with them, watch a movie, like those small things make it solemn. Like, interacting with my supporters, too, to be able to see them. Working, and being able to be with my team.” It’s a little bit of everything, inspiring storylines worth sharing in a new narrative.


Photography by Pat Buenaobra

Interview by Mikaela Yusay


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Watch BINI Maloi Jam With Kitchie Nadal

Watch BINI Maloi Jam With Kitchie Nadal

Grace Libero

 | 

Updated Feb 14, 2025 07:29 AM PHT

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Kitchie Nadal and BINI Maloi Ricalde | Photo from @bini_maloi


The "Same Ground" hitmaker Kitchie Nadal on the same stage with BINI's Maloi Ricalde? Epic! 

The OPM icon, who's based in Spain, returned to Manila for the "Tanaw: The Repeat Concert" with her sisters in the music scene: Barbie Almalbis, Lougee Basabas, Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, and Hannah Romawac. 

After their sold-out show last February 9 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Kitchie performed at Turning Tides Cafè and Gastropub in Marikina a couple of days later, where there were surprise performances from BINI Maloi, Barbie, Hannah, and Lougee. 

Guests were treated to an epic jamming with BINI Maloi performing alongside Kitchie, singing the latter's hit, "Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin." Kitchie posted a video of their onstage performance with Zild Benitez and Blaster Silonga, captioning her post with the hashtags #millennial and #genz which prove how universal and timeless music can be. The said song was released in September 2004, and two decades later, it still resonates with the younger generation.  

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BINI Maloi is a fan of Kitchie Nadal. In July last year, they had a social media interaction when Kitchie said "hello" to Maloi on Instagram as a caption to a photo of the BINI member holding a signed copy of Kitchie's self-titled debut studio album on vinyl. 

"I LOVE YOU PO FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY RIBBONED HEART," Maloi commented. To which, Kitchie replied, "Un eso muy fuerte!!!! Collab soon?"



Their recent onstage performance sure is a great start for a collaboration!

BINI Maloi also shared snaps from their epic night together, captioning it with a long hashtag of the lyrics of "Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin"— #huwag_na_huwag_mong_sasabihin_na_hindi_mo_nadama_itong_pagibig_kong_handang_ibigay_kahit_pang_kalayaan_mo

Maloi also shared photos with Barbie, Lougee, and Hannah, as well as a photo of a paper where the titles of Kitchie's songs are listed: "Fire," "Run," "Breathe," "Ligaya," "214," "Same G" ["Same Ground"], "Lahat," "Landas," "Wag" ["Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin"], and "Bulong."



BINI Maloi is gearing up for their group's Biniverse World Tour 2025, which kicks off tomorrow, February 15, at the Philippine Arena. BINI also just released a new R&B-pop single titled "Blink Twice."


Lead photos from @kitchienadal @bini_maloi

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