Draft:Aljon Cruz

Aljon Pangilinan Cruz (born April 6, 1993) is a Filipino singer-songwriter. Born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, he began as a solo artist. He released his first single "Heartquake" last 2023. He recently released his 5th single "Huling Ulan" last Valentine's Day, February 14, 2024.

Early life
Aljon Pangilinan Cruz was born on April 6, 1993, in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines to Alfredo Cruz and Marilou Pangilinan. He wrote his first song, "Huling Ulan" during his college days and the song would later be released a single.

2018: First gig
December 10, 2018 was the first time Aljon was able to showcase his songs in front of a crowd. He was able to sing "Ulan" (the original title of his single "Huling Ulan") as well as "Gusto Kita" (another song which he has released as a single last September 29, 2023.

2022: Joining Moira Dela Torre's Songwriting bootcamp, meeting his producer and several gigs
Aljon has joined Moira Dela Torre's Songwriting bootcamp where he met co-songwriters who have burning passion in music. Meeting them pave way for Aljon to continue pursuing a career on music and releasing his own tracks on Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

He played his comeback gig for 2022 in Cafe In The Sky, Rizal on June 11, 2022 for Voice of the Voiceless, a fundraising event for the benefit of PAWSsion Project and Community Alliance for Paws.

His next gig happened in Eton Centris on September 9, 2022 where he has been part of the lineup for FYA Radio Live Concert Series organized by FYA Radio where he sang several of his songs which includes "Promesa Rota", "Ulan" among any others and a cover of "Sampip" and "Harana" by Parokya ni Edgar.

On September 17, 2022, he got another gig for Kwerdas Musics Acoustic Session vol.2 organized by CD's Atbp. and F&D Productions where he sang a cover of "Your Guardian Angel" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus as well as "Creep" by Radiohead and "Harana" by Parokya ni Edgar. He also sang several of his songs which includes "Ulan", "Kryptonite" and "Promesa Rota".

Last September 28, 2022, he has been part of online release party by Musikerong Pagodt for David Amarillo's "Sapat" release where he met Stephen Tan, owner of Metro East Records who has become his arranger and producer for his songs.

He has also been interviewed by SandboxTv where he has able to showcase some of his songs that he created which includes "Promesa Rosa" and "Kahit Ika'y Matulog Na" last October 10, 2022.

He has also been part of the front act for Otelik Presents: Iyak-Sayaw at Mow's Bar, Quezon City last October 27, 2023 organized by Autotelic.

His last gig for 2022 was for Robin Ildefonso's Birthday Special gig in Cafe In The Sky, Rizal last November 27, 2023.

2023: First Single "Heartquake" and subsequent releases
Around April 2023, Aljon contacted Metro East Records for "Heartquake" to be arranged and produced by them and on July 14, 2023 he has finally released "Heartquake" as his first single. "Heartquake" is a wordplay combining "Heart" and "Earthquake," intended to create a memorable and unique title with a deeper hidden meaning. It can be treated as a metaphor, drawing a parallel between the shaking sensation of an earthquake and the emotional turmoil experienced within the heart. In the context of the song, the protagonist feels a "heartquake" upon seeing the girl for the first time, and the feeling resurfaces when they meet again after many years. The term encapsulates the intense emotional impact and the seismic effect it has on the protagonist's heart.

Aljon then released his 2nd single "Gusto Kita" last September 29, 2023. The song is a song of confession that expresses joyful and unexpected feelings for someone, unsure whether to say it or just stay friends, and finally happily declaring that you like the person.

Aljon continuously released his songs and on November 10, 2023, he released "3318". "3318" means "You and I Together" and it's a song narrating the feeling of having a crush, from the initial meet-up through a friend to the excitement of developing feelings with a hopeful wish for a shared future.

Aljon does not stop at releasing '3318' and he released his last song for the year during December 15, 2023 titled "Spellbound Muse". It's a A song narrating and celebrating a crush on a girl, a song which captures the admiration and the essence of being spellbounded by a certain girl's laughter, joy, and the unique things that make her special.

2024–present: 5th Single "Huling Ulan" and Upcoming album
In February 14, 2024, he released his 5th single "Huling Ulan". It is a song about the aftermath of a heartbreak or the bittersweet memories of lost love. The title, "Huling Ulan" (Last Rain), metaphorically captures the essence of the final cry associated with the end of a relationship or the departure of a loved one. It symbolizes closure and the beginning of the healing journey, where emotional expression leads to newfound strength and resilience. Aljon has released the song on Valentine's Day as he believes that Valentine's Day is not only a celebration of love and romance but also a time of introspection and reflection. It's a day when people cherish cherished memories and contemplate the complexities of love and loss. By sharing "Huling Ulan" on Valentine's Day, he wanted to invite listeners to explore the depths of their emotions and find solace in the healing power of music.

He plans to release his first album titled "Diary of a Torpe Kid" around summer of 2024 which will contain all of his previously released tracks (excluding "Huling Ulan") with new tracks.

Musical style and influences
Aljon has said that he was heavily influenced by Parokya ni Edgar and was the artist that inspired him to write his own music. Aside from Parokya ni Edgar, he was also influenced by other iconic OPM artists like I Belong To The Zoo, Sponge Cola, Sugarfree, Ebe Dancel, Silent Sanctuary, Mayonnaise, Eraserheads, Rivermaya, Rico Blanco, Yeng Constantino, Moonstar88, Moira Dela Torre, Tanya Markova among many others. His music is primarily alternative rock.

Discography

 * Heartquake (2023)
 * Gusto Kita (2023)
 * 3318 (2023)
 * Spellbound Muse (2023)
 * Huling Ulan (2024)