Bringing the soul of OPM to a new generation under a global spotlight
WATCH MUSIC VIDEO HERE
July 25, 2025, Manila, Philippines – With his laid-back musicality and tender lyrics, singer-songwriter Matthew Ong, a.k.a. MATÉO, breathes new life into the modern kundiman (Filipino love song tradition) and harana (serenade), crafting music that speaks to the soul and reflects his own vulnerability.
MATÉO’s interest in music began in grade school and was fueled by his time working in the entertainment industry. His enthusiasm for music developed when he auditioned and was accepted into Kundirana, a high school music ministry from La Salle Greenhills, recognized as one of the most esteemed musical groups in the country with notable alumni such as Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Mon Faustino, and Louie Ocampo. He confesses that he never received formal training in singing and, much like any typical Filipino, sang solely for fun. Nonetheless, he gained the discipline and exposure to the kind of music he would later feel comfortable creating on his own by participating in the high school musical ensemble.
Being part of Kundirana allowed MATÉO to discover and perform a multitude of genres and styles, including “kundiman” and “harana” songs, which greatly refined his love for the classic OPM sound. MATÉO admires local artists like Rey Valera, Johnoy Danao, and Unique Salonga, while also enjoying the music of international acts such as Bruno Major, Jacob Collier, and Jason Mraz.
The crooner wears his heart on his sleeve. When asked about his first release, “Lalim,” MATÉO reveals that he wrote it for the girl he admires. It wasn’t initially written for public release or to gain popularity; it was simply a serenade, created to convey his emotions in the way he knew she—an artist and musician herself—would understand best: through a song. However, once it was decided to be produced and released as a passion project, the impact of social media had different intentions, transforming it into an internet hit.
“It’s a series of singles, actually, with ‘Lalim’ as the debut track. It was meant to help me de-stress because, at that time, I was busy. Being part of the music corporate world, I was working on projects that consumed my mental space,” MATÉO says. He shared snippets and lyric videos of “Lalim” on TikTok prior to its release, capturing the attention of many who urged him to release the complete version of the song, which he eventually did on Spotify in September 2024. The song debuted at #1 on the Viral 50 Philippines chart on Spotify after the first week of release and now has millions of organic streams and counting.
“Although we all wish to see more advancements in Philippine music, I must admit that I still really enjoy the sound of the country’s old yet timeless music. As an A&R myself, I also understand that easy-listening, sweet love songs are ingrained in Filipino culture. Probably, by presenting a soft love song, I somehow touched a bit of people’s culture—being Filipino—that ‘harana’ remains in the heart of the Filipino people,” MATÉO explains.
Fellow artists like Janine Teñoso, Colet of BINI, and Eliza Maturan, among others, shared it on social media, creating even more buzz. MATÉO wrote and produced “Lalim,” with Monching Carpio on guitar, Ronald Tomas on flute, and Emil dela Rosa handling mixing and mastering.
He followed “Lalim” with another romantic tune, “Pinipili,” released in November 2024. A perfect acoustic wedding aisle song, it captures the enduring promise of love. The lyrics paint a picture of a love that knows no doubt, fear, or hesitation. MATÉO shares, “I wrote it on behalf of my lolos and dad—expressing their will to romantically choose my lolas and mom, respectively—but in the form of a song.”
With over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, MATÉO continues to grow his audience while staying true to his vision of heartfelt, culturally rooted storytelling. His February 2025 single “Tungo” explores that fleeting yet powerful space between attraction and intention. “‘Tungo’ became a reflection of what it’s like to be in your head when you notice someone. It’s about the spark, the build-up, the courage to act on a feeling,” he shares. “I do hope it emphasizes that very specific moment of attraction… nostalgic for some who have it and exciting for some who have yet to be in that moment—yung you’ll act on it, ‘tungo’ sa kanya.”
Following that is MATÉO’s much-anticipated fourth single, “Bato Sa Buhangin”, out today, July 25, 2025 —a remake of the classic OPM hit by Cinderella, originally released in 1976. “It has been and always will be my favorite OPM song,” says MATÉO, who first encountered it while in Kundirana. “I never tried to play around with it. The song already had the soul in it. It’s such an iconic song that it carries you, and you never try to carry it.” Through his version, he hopes to help pass the song on to younger generations: “Let’s leave love out of the fast-paced and disposable. I hope this message about love—the kind that is sure, mabagal, and lasting—lives on.”
“Bato Sa Buhangin” is MATÉO’s first official single as a signed artist under Korean entertainment label Abyss Company, home to renowned Korean acts like Sunmi, MeloMance, and Sandara Park, as it expands operations to the Philippines. This release marks a meaningful step for MATÉO as he joins a diverse and respected roster of artists.
“It’s an honor to be part of a label that supports such talented artists I’ve long admired,” he shares. “Abyss has a strong vision, and I’m proud to represent Filipino music alongside a team that values authenticity and creativity—not just in Korea, but around the world.”
With his sound rooted in deep emotion and Filipino tradition, MATÉO leads the way for a new generation of modern kundiman—making timeless love songs that feel right at home in today’s world and bringing them to a global spotlight.
Follow MATÉO:
Instagram / TikTok / Spotify / YouTube / Threads