Ang sarap maging single?

MANILA, Philippines - The month of love is upon us. It’s the sickly, rose-tinted time of the year when flower shops turn into war zones (especially if it’s Ecuadorian roses you’re dealing with) and fancy chocolate boxes fly off shelves. While Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a happy occasion designedfor couples, it would be just be too much of a cliché if the rest of us single people take it as our cue to wallow in the fact that there are seven billion people in the world and we’re still alone. Boo-freaking-hoo. Besides, we’re pretty sure that more couples fight, even breakup — pretty harsh — on Valentine’s Day, so where’s the love there?

Being alone doesn’t necessarily translate to being lonely — just ask OPM band Eevee. This four-piece band from Davao City started their slow rise to fame after winning Soundskool, the Nescafe 3-in-1 Battle of the Bands, in 2009. They recently released their new album entitled “Playtime.” Their first track off their sophomore album, Ang Sarap Maging Single, is a humorous take, Parokya Ni Edgar-style, on being single and alone, while assuring people that being unattached is something to celebrate. Though a little cheesy, Ang Sarap Maging Single is a catchy anthem if you’re looking for love or if you need to vent out bitter feelings — in a healthy way — as V-Day slowly inches up the calendar.

SUPREME: Who wrote the song and how was it conceptualized? 

Enzo Villegas: I wrote the song after winning Soundskool in 2009. We were in a hotel room, still (with) a hangover from everything that happened to us. Paolo and I were just jamming with the guitar when the idea popped up. We had won P250,000 and asked ourselves, “May pera nga tayo wala naman tayong mga girlfriends. Okay lang, masarap maging single, pero mahirap mag-isa.” And the song was born.  

Paolo Segura: Ang Sarap Maging Single was just Enzo doing some chords on the guitar, and all of a sudden he was singing the chorus. So I asked the word “pero?” Kasi tayong mga Pinoy, minsan mahilig tayo maghanap ng excuses. Honest lang ang pagkakasulat ng kanta. You don’t have to be single to like our song, pwede rin yung mga married, mga children, at mga bitter na iniwan ng partner. 

S: Why did you choose that song to be released in your new album? 

EV: It was the first song we recorded in the studio for our second album “Playtime.” We thought it was the right transition from wanting a love life to accepting what is there and looking at the bright side of life and love. We wanted to experiment with new sounds and a heavier tone for Eevee. 

PS: Out of all of Enzo’s demos, we decided on trying to play-slash-test drive this new song during band practice. We played it a few times live and our fans and friends loved it. 

S: All of you guys are single. Is it by choice? 

EV: Not necessarily. Siguro the right one hasn’t come along pa. Siyempre love can’t be explained talaga. Once you feel it, you can’t avoid it ‘cause you know there’s “something” na: Insomnia and sitting by your phone waiting for her reply sa text. 

Paul Alef Hapita: Yup. Single. Ako, by choice, not by force, but the force is strong. 

S: Valentine’s Day plans? 

EV: We have a couple of gigs on Valentine’s, so busy kahit wala pang love life. Career muna. Siguro magdi-dinner kami ng bandmates ko. Itataas ang kamay at magce-celebrate ng buhay.

.PS: I might ask a girl out this Valentine’s, just to try my luck in love. If she’s not going to say “Yes,” I might be staying home lang, drinking wine and talking to everyone else online who are also staying home on a Tuesday. 

PAH: No plans yet. Bitter pa ako. Hashtag #BITTER 

S: From your first ever song, Gusto Ko Lang ng Girlfriend to Ang Sarap Maging Single, have there been any changes in your love lives? Or do you just like making songs about being single and wanting to be in a relationship? 

EV: Not much, we’re pretty much the same. Siguro a few are making “paramdam” sa amin, pero we’re very friendly and malambing, so steady lang. We have other songs in the album na about friendship, destiny, and even places that we go to when we close our eyes. 

PS: Meron naman. We’ve finally rid ourselves of the frustration and bitterness by playing the song night after night. A person can’t really get the girl if you call out to her. Sabihin mo lang na “Okay ka,” then someone’s gonna go up to you. Like ghost hunting, you can’t see them if you’re really looking. Yes, girls are like ghosts. 

PAH: Wala pa naman after the breakup. You should love yourself muna.  

S: Lastly, masarap bang maging single?  

EV: Masarap maging single, pero napakahirap ng mag-isa. 

PS: Masarap maging single because you can spend a lot of time alone, pursuing your dreams and everything. Masarap maging single habang bata ka pa. 

PAH: Masarap. Pero mahirap mag-isa.