This is your first project after so many years…

Oh yes. My last album was released in 2002 pa

What was it like having to sing again after being immersed in so much academic work?

Well, I never stopped singing naman. I still do the tours. Right now we are rehearsing for two concerts for the National Museum of Singapore and 'yung mga kinakanta ko for the past five to seven years ay mga prayers. So hindi bagay that I will sing in the clubs where people are drinking and smoking. So when I'm here, I mostly write. But I would be touring. 'Di naman natigil yan kasi first and foremost, I'm an artist.

Does it help that you have a personal relationship with your sources?

Yes, but relationships are started and then cultivated. Like si Lordina and Francisco, I met them around year 2005 lang, during research work. But I would still see them; it's not one time 'yung aming pag-uusap. Si Francisco, I went to his house a month ago and I didn't know he died last year. I got to visit his family and the relationship is ongoing. It's funny even in death, ang dami niyang naituturo.

For example?

Ay ang dami. Next book!

Photograph by Lilen Uy