Jace Roque Rise from the Ashes with PAGBANGON
In an industry driven by constant reinvention, few stories feel as deeply personal—and as hard-earned—as Jace Roque’s. With the release of PAGBANGON, the Awit Award-nominated artist steps into a new era, one shaped not just by sound, but by survival, loss, and rebirth.
More than just a single, PAGBANGON is a statement. It marks a turning point in Jace’s journey that began in grief and found its way toward healing. Behind the music is a story of losing a mentor, a father figure, and a guiding light: Direk Boy Roque. The loss shook both his personal and professional foundations, leaving him to navigate a space that once felt certain, now suddenly unfamiliar.
And yet, from that uncertainty came transformation.
A Song That Took Its Time
While PAGBANGON feels timely, its roots stretch back years. Originally written in 2019, the track went through a process of rediscovery and reinvention before arriving in its current form. It wasn’t just about finishing a song; it was about becoming the person who could finally tell that story.
“PAGBANGON has been years in the making—what made you feel that now is the right time to finally release it?”
It’s very timely now. The song centers around my grief. If I were to release this a few years back, I wouldn’t be able to tackle it because the song is that deeply personal. Now, however, I feel more prepared to share its meaning and the story behind it. Its release also resonates with everything happening in the world and within our entertainment company, ABS-CBN.
The delay wasn’t hesitation, it was intention. Growth demanded space, and the version of Jace who first wrote the song is not the same artist who releases it today. Now, it carries not just lyrics, but lived experience.
Evolving the Sound, Finding the Self
Known for his signature Pop-EDM style, Jace takes a bold step forward with PAGBANGON, embracing a more Urban Pop sound. It’s a shift that feels both fresh and deeply rooted; blending elements of Tropical, Latin, Reggaeton, and Dance, while still holding on to the essence of who he is.
This evolution was shaped through collaboration, including working closely with ABS-CBN Music and industry figures like Jonathan Manalo and Hazel Faith. Together, they helped transform the track into something that feels both intimate and expansive. But stepping into a new sound also meant stepping outside his comfort zone.
“You explored a different sound for this track, what was it like stepping into something new, and what did it teach you about yourself as an artist?”
Yes. Pagbangon serves as a transition from the sound I worked on before. I was previously known for pop EDM, but now we are venturing into urban pop and electronic sounds with a stronger pop beat. After Pagbangon, the music will lean even more toward pop. We will continue exploring more sounds within the pop community.
Of course, it feels uncomfortable at first because you are stepping out of your comfort zone. But as soon as you ease into the direction you are taking, your sound begins to grow. At that point, it’s a natural course that you’re going to take. I’m happy with the output that will come in the next few months. At the back of my mind, this is the direction I want to take because I’ve been doing EDM since 2017. I feel like I’m ready for a reinvention.
In the process, Jace didn’t just redefine his music but also rediscovered his voice.
A Message That Lingers
At its heart, PAGBANGON is about resilience. It’s about carrying grief without letting it define you, about honoring the past while choosing to move forward. It’s a song that understands pain, but refuses to stay there.
In a world that continues to face uncertainty, its message arrives with quiet urgency: healing is not linear, and rising takes time.
“At its core, the song is about rising and healing. After hearing PAGBANGON, what do you hope listeners take away from it?”
I just want listeners to know that even with everything that’s happening in their personal life or in their career, after the release of the track, there is no reason to give up. You just have to endure. You have to fight for what you want, and eventually, you will wake up from the depths of your despair.
At least with this approach, it becomes easier to address your emotions without the production feeling too heavy. You can dance away your pain. You can confront what you’re feeling without falling deeply into depression. That’s why I hope the song can uplift their personal life.
For Jace, this release is more than a milestone. It’s a declaration. A reminder that even after everything falls apart, there is always a way to begin again.
With PAGBANGON, he doesn’t just return, he rises.
