Mikoy bares his soul in 1st single

MANILA, Philippines – Kapuso star Mikoy Morales returns to his first love with the release of his first single, Pusong Hindi Makatulog, which he himself composed.

“It’s really overwhelming!” Mikoy told The STAR in an interview before his show last week where he launched his single at the Music Hall in Metrowalk, Pasig City. “To be able to sing my own composition was what I had been looking forward to do. It’s totally me. I’ve finally found my sound. This time, it’s not just written as a theme song for a show or movie.”

Mikoy revealed that he fell in love first with singing as a kid before the acting bug had bitten him. He cited Martin Nievera and Ebe Dancel as some of his musical inspirations, Martin for singing, while Ebe for songwriting.

In 2012, Protégé paved the way for Mikoy to enter show business and since then, he has been continuously displaying his acting chops in various GMA shows, including his stint in the Saturday sitcom Pepito Manaloto where he portrays a gay role.

Apart from acting, Mikoy has been busy writing songs for GMA 7, performed by his fellow Kapuso artists such as Julie Anne San Jose and Rita Guzman. He has also composed songs for Teen Gen, the Asianovela series Pinocchio and for GMA Films’ Overtime (topbilled by Richard Gutierrez and Lauren Young), and a couple of jingles for other companies.

The experience was said to have helped him discover and hone his identity as a musician. Now that he is making his own, he is proud to share Pusong Hindi Makatulog that evokes naked emotions and showcases a fresh take on the pop-ballad genre.

“The song redeems the nights when you just couldn’t and wouldn’t get some sleep because of some personal reason — may it be a broken heart or you just simply miss someone,” said Mikoy, describing it as the anthem for his fellow insomniacs.

When asked which he enjoys between acting and singing, Mikoy explained, “Music is my first love then acting came and I fell in love with both. It’s difficult to choose between the two because for me, they’re both different platforms to express my craft. Maybe time will come kung saan ako may matumbok, duon ako. But for now, I’m not letting go either of the two. I find joy in them and my passion is equally distributed on both crafts so I can’t choose, I really can’t.”

In fact, the 22-year-old GMA Artist Center talent is excited for his upcoming first indie film titled 4 Days directed by Adolf Alix Jr. The film speaks about the experiences of today’s youth that millennials can easily relate to. Mikoy plays the lead character in the gay-themed film, which hits theaters this month.

“I really enjoyed filming this. The material is really good and so far, this is the project that I am really proud of,” related Mikoy, adding that, “This film is also special because my single was used as its soundtrack and it really feels good. It’s like my first-ever single and my first-ever lead in an indie film joined as one. So what more can I ask for, di ba?”

Asked if he considers it his breakthrough role, he replied, “Honestly, I don’t know but for me, this is the material that really fits me. I really loved it instantly and I think I was able to display my craft.”

While Mikoy enjoys doing both, he said that he’s going to focus on his singing career for now. In the coming months, he will be busy coming up with an all-original album that he plans to release by the end of the year. On the side, producing concert and other events also keeps the Music Business Management third year student at MINT College busy from time to time. Last year, Mikoy and his team at SPARC Productions produced the concert The Music of Maestro Vincent de Jesus.

“My goal is, hopefully, to do more originals but in collaboration with other artists.”

(Pusong Hindi Makatulog is available for download via iTunes, Spotify and Deezer.)