By Patricia Taculao
Fans of He’s Into Her Season 2 are familiar with the heartbreak anthem “Did I Let You Go,” that’s rife with the powerful lyricism that leaves listeners wondering about the “maybes” and “what if’s” in their lives. However, not many know about the singer and songwriter behind the song, the 22-year-old Filipino-British musician Jon Guelas.
According to Jon, he drew inspiration from his previous relationship to write the song. He shares that he felt he could’ve fought harder or done more for their relationship and kept questioning his decision afterward.
“I write all of my songs, all of my music. I think it mostly comes from experiences, for example, heartbreak or something that hurt, so you can write about it and express yourself properly. And that’s how I express myself,” the up-and-coming artist said during an interview.
Yet as an artist who sees himself as open to change, Jon is curious to draw inspiration from more positive experiences or emotions because he knows that not everything is always negative.
The 22-year-old singer’s songs, which include “Out of Love,” “Wonderland,” and “Work This Time,” are all in English. But as he continues exploring his music and Filipino heritage, he also plans to write Filipino songs in the future. He’s slowly making progress as he’s taking tutoring to learn more about the language.
Writing a hit single for a well-received series marks the beginning of Jon’s career as a musician in the Philippines. It’s been six months since Jon arrived in the Philippines, but he’s keen on staying and leaving his mark on the local music industry.
Jon was born in Cambridge, England, to a British father and a Filipina mother. He has an older brother who inspired him to pursue his passion for music.
“My older brother is [very] shy, but I was surprised when I saw him play the piano. It inspired me to learn myself,” Jon said. Eventually, he taught himself how to play musical instruments and compose songs. Despite his efforts, Jon didn’t have the confidence at the time and decided to pursue another hobby: playing football.
Playing football brought Jon to the Philippines to play for local teams at 13. He recalls, however, that since he was just a kid, he was homesick and wanted to return to his family. After six months, he returned to the United Kingdom.
Besides singing and songwriting, Jon also hopes to enter acting someday. He’s very open to taking acting classes to hone his skills and become efficient. As for his acting debut, Jon aspires to participate in a romantic drama project. Not only will it be challenging for the young artist, but it will also be an appropriate venue for him to show his expressive side.
Jon recognizes that he still has much to experience before he can leave a significant impact on the local music industry. Until then, he’s taking all the necessary steps, slowly but surely, to become a household name when it comes to music.