Michael Pangilinan hooked on R&B

MANILA, Philippines – There’s something about R&B that makes recording artist Michael Pangilinan feel like singing forever.

The singer-composer just can’t pinpoint what it is. All he knows is that he’s hooked to Luke Mejares and Duncan Ramos’ R&B style.

Michael has adopted R&B (along with pop) and made it his own in Tayo Na Lang, which opens his second album (Star Records). Followers of ABS-CBN’s teleserye Magpahanggang Wakas will recognize the album’s carrier single, Hanggang Kailan, and its soul R&B feel.

“The melody stops, then returns somewhere in the middle,” Michael describes Hanggang Kailan.

Michael, who placed second runner-up in last year’s Your Face Sounds Familiar, also did a cover of Bread’s Everything I Own in his eponymous album, but made sure his version is different from the David Gates hit song. 

The song, which Gates dedicated to his late father, struck a chord in Michael, whose love for his family inspired him to write the track Tanging Ligaya Ko.

After all, Michael owes his artistry to mom and dad. Michael can sing and play the guitar without taking up formal lessons because his parents are into music.

“My dad (a businessman) would have been a singer had my grandfather allowed him,” Michael recalls. 

His mom is so at home with the karaoke, relatives love to hear her sing in family gatherings.

Michael made sure he never forgets to respect his parents when he endured the pain of having a biblical verse about honoring mom and dad permanently tattooed on his arm.

Michael chose Matthew 15:4 because he believes in what it says about honoring one’s father and mother.

“‘Whoever curses his father or mother shall die,” he quotes one of his favorite lines.

It’s but appropriate that Michael tattooed his birth date — Nov. 26 — beside the biblical verse.

In doing so, Michael is honoring the people he owes his life to.

These reminders of who he is and who he can be could become even more interesting, as Michael moves from one milestone to the next in his journey as an artist. 

For instance, Michael plans to come up with a third album, filled with his own version of songs for female artists.

Michael’s dreams aren’t confined to singing, however. He also wants to inspire others to stay fit and show the well-developed abs and toned muscles he worked hard for by gracing the cover of a leading women’s magazine.

Michael aims high, but vows to keep his feet on the ground.

“I won’t ever change,” he promises the press during his album launch.

Michael’s many showbiz friends, who know that behind that easy laughter is a man dead serious about his craft — are hanging on to his every word.