LEYO Reimagines Filipino Harana With New Six-Track EP ‘Akda sa Pag-alala’
Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Over Here Toronto
Filipino singer-songwriter LEYO brings a modern approach to traditional Filipino harana with his new EP, Akda sa Pag-alala. Released worldwide through Sony Music Entertainment, the six-track collection blends classic OPM, acoustic pop, R&B, and subtle jazz influences.
Built around affection, longing, vulnerability, and self-discovery, the EP explores the different ways people experience and remember love. Its stripped-down arrangements, warm bass lines, catchy guitar riffs, and velvety vocals give the songs an intimate feel.
LEYO Gives Traditional Harana a Modern Sound
LEYO draws inspiration from the music he grew up listening to, including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, APO Hiking Society, and the Manila Sound.
He brings these influences together with contemporary pop and R&B elements, creating a sound that connects familiar Filipino musical traditions with his own style.
“Every song on this EP was written using just an acoustic guitar. I made the harana tradition my own by blending it with the music I grew up listening to, combining classic OPM influences with Western pop and R&B elements,” LEYO shares.
Six Songs Explore Different Experiences of Love
Each track on Akda sa Pag-alala presents a different perspective on romance, from everyday affection to unspoken feelings and memories of the past.
The EP opens up familiar situations through six songs:
- “Pritong Itlog” – Finds affection in the simple act of preparing a meal for someone.
- “Kapag Umuulan” – Explores longing through the perspective of a hopeless romantic.
- “Torpe” – Confronts the uncertainty of feelings left unspoken.
- “Pwede Ko Bang Itanong” – Continues the theme of navigating emotions that are difficult to express.
- “Kung Magugunaw ang Mundo” – Expresses devotion and the desire to hold on to love.
- “Kumusta Ka Sinta” – Reflects on nostalgia and coming to terms with the past.
For LEYO, the collection also represents a personal period of growth.
“Ultimately, it captures my journey as a young man figuring out who I am and discovering what love truly means,” he reveals.
Brian Lotho and Rain Santana Help Shape the EP
The project also brings together the creative approaches of producers Brian Lotho, Rain Santana, and LEYO himself.
Lotho, a 2026 Awit Awards winner, and Santana helped develop the EP’s overall sound while bringing different perspectives to the production process.
LEYO explains that Santana encouraged him to experiment and approach the songs more playfully. Meanwhile, Lotho pushed him to become more intentional with each production decision.
Acclaimed sound engineer Emil Dela Rosa mixed and mastered the first two tracks, while Hazel Pascua handled the remaining four songs.
Listen to ‘Akda sa Pag-alala’
At its heart, Akda sa Pag-alala is a collection about youthful romance, personal growth, and the memories that shape how people understand love.
Through acoustic arrangements, contemporary OPM influences, and personal storytelling, LEYO gives the traditional harana a sound that reflects his own experiences.
LEYO’s six-track EP, Akda sa Pag-alala, is now available worldwide on digital music platforms through Sony Music Entertainment.
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