FELIP’s Meteoric Rise

Musical roots

Rockstar. Visionary. Rising fashion icon.

Like a guitar riff that cuts through the noise, FELIP’s journey in music began in the soundscape of his childhood in the province. Born into a family where music flowed as freely as blood through veins, he was surrounded by a symphony of influences. His father tickled the ivories, his mother’s voice filled their home, and his sister fronted her own band.

But it wasn’t just the melodies of home that shaped this budding artist. The church, where his grandfather and father served as pastors, became another stage for his musical education. Meanwhile, his cousins introduced him to the raw energy of metal: a genre that would later influence his own sound.

As he grew older and moved to the city for university, FELIP’s musical palate expanded further as he encountered the pulsating rhythms of hip-hop. Artists like Usher, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem became the new headliners in his playlist. As a solo artist, FELIP is mixing all these influences into a potent musical cocktail. “I love hip-hop. I love rock. I love gospel music. I love everything related to music,” he affirms.

Creating his legacy

This fearless approach to music is evident in FELIP’s recent releases. His style has drawn comparisons to Playboi Carti, a parallel that FELIP acknowledges with a mix of surprise and admiration. It’s as if he’s found a kindred spirit in the music industry, someone who shares his love for blending genres and playing with vocal tones. FELIP’s admiration for Carti goes beyond just the music—he sees a reflection of his own fashion sense in the American rapper’s style, particularly in their shared love for leather.

But make no mistake, FELIP is no mere imitator. Like any great rockstar, he’s taking his influences and creating something entirely his own. His music is a reflection of his journey, his emotions, and his desire to express himself authentically.

This individuality extends to his fashion choices as well. FELIP’s wardrobe, dominated by leather, is his armor. “I really love leather. If people see my wardrobe, it’s all leather,” he admits with a laugh. It’s not just about looking cool, though he certainly achieves that; it’s about feeling confident and powerful. Yet, for all his solo success, FELIP hasn’t forgotten his roots. He sees no contradiction between FELIP the solo artist and Ken of SB19—viewing them as different expressions of the same authentic self. “Even if I’m with SB19, I still want to be genuine. No matter how I am in my solo, or in my group, I’m still the same.”

Looking to the future, FELIP’s ambitions extend beyond just music. He’s already established a clothing brand—a natural extension of his passion for fashion. But music remains at the heart of his dreams. He envisions releasing more albums, reaching bigger stages, and even breaking into the international scene. These aspirations are the stuff of rockstar dreams—world tours, platinum albums, global recognition. Yet, for FELIP, it’s not just about fame or success. It’s about aiming to connect to an audience who resonates with his artistic vision.

Throughout the interview, FELIP’s passion for his craft shines through. “When I’m doing music, my heart is always full,” he confesses. It’s the same energy that radiates from a rockstar during a live performance: that pure, unadulterated love for the art. For him, music is his means of self-expression beyond mere profession.

FELIP is not content to play by the rules or stick to a single genre. Instead, he’s creating his own sound, his own style, his own brand of stardom. From the gospel songs of his childhood church to the metal tracks introduced by his cousins, from the pop sensibilities honed with SB19 to the hip-hop beats he now incorporates into his solo work, all these influences come together to create an artist who is uniquely FELIP: a rockstar for the new generation.

This feature story appears in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!

Photography Jharwin Castaneda

Art direction Mike Miguel

Fashion Rex Atienza and Corven Uy

Grooming Gery Penaso

Hair Jay Wee

Photography assistants Arnaldo Catalan and Aljon Celis

Retouching Summer Untalan

Grooming assistant Cris Carlos

Special thanks Bea Charlyn Laino