This new era of MATÉO marks an age of genre explorations and sonic discovery as he unveils his debut full-band single 'POREBER'. The track claimed its spot on Spotify’s New Music Friday Philippines playlist, reinforcing the trailblazer's identity as one of the most promising voices in OPM history.
MATÉO explains the inspiration and story behind the track as he muses, "'POREBER' is about holding on to the promise of forever with the person you love, but instead of talking about it in a grand scale, it’s talked about in the everyday moments you have together that make up everlasting love.” In contrast to his previous releases, he notes, “‘Lalim’ is for goodnight—‘POREBER’ is for good morning."
The 'Lalim' hitmaker aimed to create an immersive soundscape with this new musical endeavour — broadening his horizons beyond his usual melodic and warm tunes. The buildup along the track creates a sense of richness that begins from just a simple guitar line and vocal, with an overwhelming crescendo that peaks with the soaring richness of the layered and swelling full-band sound.
"I love producing my own music, letting each instrument guide me to the final sound and allowing ideas to unfold naturally in the process.” He looks back on a comical moment during production when recording the harmonicas as he adds, “I recorded Ian Lofamia’s harmonica in his garage with no acoustic treatment, dogs barking, and someone outside cutting a tree.” Despite the playful chaos, he shares that “whether it’s a slow song or a midtempo one, my intentions for creating will always be the glue."
The captivating music video that pairs with the track brings its narrative alive as it captures the comforting familiarity the song exudes. MATÉO expresses the sentiment that the single evokes the soft vibrance of spring, filled with the kind of love that makes any place feel like home.
Its minimal, colorful visuals reinforce that mood. “I originally planned to have a leading lady, but we ended up using a mannequin… showcasing that metaphor was all up to how I acted towards it." MATÉO hopes fans feel the lightness of love: “It’s really just about unconditional love in broad daylight,” he adds.
His journey so far has already skyrocketed him into the spotlight, giving him the title of one of the acts to watch in the upcoming generation of talents in the Philippines. With 'POREBER' arriving on the heels of MATÉO’s growing recognition, including a Filipino Music Awards nomination for his viral hit 'Lalim,' and his nominations in two categories at the upcoming 11th Wish Music Awards in January 2026: Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year, his unique trademark sound is one that is helping him to establish his amazing talent.
This Christmas season, MATÉO adds a heartfelt touch with his rendition of 'Sana Ngayong Pasko,' written by his uncle Jimmy Borja for the MMFF film Rekonek. The stripped-back version is shaped by memories of a Christmas spent without his full family — an emotion he channels into a song about love, longing, and the people who make the holidays meaningful.
With 'POREBER', MATÉO continues to showcase his evolution as an artist, blending intimate storytelling, innovative soundscapes, and heartfelt emotion. As he navigates new genres, experiments with full-band arrangements, and channels personal experiences into universally relatable music, he gives fans a glimpse of what's coming next in his musical journey.
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