Jace Roque finds healing in new music

Years later, OPM singer  Jace Roque  has found himself back inside a recording studio, now ready to release new music as he continues to navigate a period of loss that left both his personal life and career at a standstill.

In 2019, the death of his uncle, former action star  Boy Roque, marked a turning point for him. He described his uncle as a father figure and a constant guide, someone who helped shape not just his career, but his sense of discipline and purpose.

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In a one-on-one interview with  Manila Standard Entertainment, Jace opened up about that period in his life.

“When he passed away, both my personal and professional life collapsed. I didn’t know how to move forward,” Jace recalled.

At the time, he turned to writing as a way to cope, putting into words emotions he could not yet fully process. The result was an early version of what would become “Pagbangon.” But the song, heavy with grief, was eventually set aside.

“Back then, I wasn’t really processing my emotions, so I was just writing everything I was feeling that I couldn’t say. After I finished the song, I archived it because I really didn’t want to deal with the pain. I never thought it would be published one day,” he shared.

It would take several years and a series of personal and professional challenges before Roque felt ready to return to the material. Now 34, he describes himself as more grounded, shaped by the obstacles he has had to confront along the way.

“All of those experiences deepened my perspective. I had to go through them to become who I am now,” said Jace.

That sense of growth anchors “Pagbangon,” his upcoming single set for release on April 10 under ABS-CBN Music. Originally written in English, the track was later translated into Filipino with the help of his friend and singer-songwriter  Hazel Faith, allowing him to reconnect with the song in a new way.

Revisiting it, he said, became part of his healing.

“Even just performing it, especially in the recording studio, felt therapeutic for me. Performing a track that I had archived for a very long time allowed me to finally express it through singing. Even if it’s not through live shows yet, just recording it let me release the emotions I needed to express,” the singer shared.

For him, the release also signals a shift in his sound. Known for his EDM roots, Jace is now exploring a more urban pop direction, a transition shaped in part by his collaboration with producer  Jonathan Manalo.

“Sir Jonathan really pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. With ‘Pagbangon,’ he challenged me to deliver fuller vocals and explore a different vocal style. He’s very particular about what he wants in a song, and he really pushes me to become better,” Jace said.

While the song began as a tribute to his late uncle, its meaning has since expanded. Jace now sees “Pagbangon,” which translates to “recover” or “getting back up,” as a reflection of resilience—not just for himself but for listeners facing their own struggles.

“Healing takes time. Whatever you’re going through, you really have to go through the process; you can’t skip it. It’s not something you can rush. You go step by step until you get through it,” he stated.

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