Alamat On Finding Strength In What Makes Them Different

This year, Alamat have grown into more assured artists through their individual pursuits and the bond they share as a group.

Their different personalities, backgrounds, experiences, and influences have become a source of strength, shaping who they are individually and what they can achieve as a collective. These same differences have also helped them build a distinct identity as a multicultural boy groupBoy GroupA boy group refers to a multi-member male music act, a format central to P-pop's recent commercial rise, typically featuring coordinated choreography and vocal arrangements. SB19's chart breakthroughs helped establishGo to Boy Group Glossary in the P-pop scene.

From returning to Dubai for the second time to making their live performance debut in Paris, the six-member act have offered a glimpse of how much further they hope to go to showcase what makes them unique, for the whole country — and the world — to see.

Now, with a major concert lined up back home, they are bringing their year to a fitting close with ALX: ALAMAT THE LEGENDARY EXPERIENCE, set to take place at the New Frontier Theater on November 8, 2026.

As the highly anticipated concert draws near, Billboard Philippines sat down with members Taneo, Mo, Jao, Tomás, R-Ji, and Alas to reflect on a year of fulfillment, the experiences that have shaped them individually and collectively, and the stories they hope to continue telling through their music.

Billboard Philippines: Alamat have been on a steady run of performances and achievements this year, both locally and internationally. What has 2026 felt like for the members so far?

Jao: 2026 has been a year of discovering maturity. Back in 2025, when we made our album, DESTINO, we became more hands-on, and as time progressed, mas madami pa kaming natutunan (we learned even more). Especially this 2026. Habang nagre-release kami ng mga music videos (While we’re releasing music videos), focused on music that are part of our album, we also progressed in how we are as human beings — as people — navigating our way through this journey. Nagiging mas strong kasi ang individuality namin (Our individuality becomes stronger) as we grow. But at the same time, na-realize din namin na maganda din ‘yun kasi (we also realized that it’s a good thing, because) we are able to put something [different] to the table.

Taneo: Last year, hindi namin alam na kung ano man ‘yung ginawa namin this year ay mangyayari talaga (we didn’t know that whatever we did this year would actually come to pass). So, I think this year was like diving into the unknown. There’s a lot of unpredictable stuff that happened. But, we’re really grateful that we’re doing our job and we’re continuing to bring something to the table, really exploring everything. And somehow, we’re able to get somewhere.

You were able to go and perform in Dubai, and then Paris for the first time. How does performing for an international audience differ from performing here in the Philippines?

Alas: Siguro, isa sa mga ipo-point ko d’yan ay ang Pilipinas kasi kilala tayo as singers talaga. So, expected ng mga tao doon na magaling talaga ang mga Pilipino kumanta. Medyo pressured kami pero yakang yaka kasi araw-araw namin hinahasa ‘yung skills namin.  

(Maybe, one thing I’d point out is that the Philippines are known for being singers. So, people [abroad] expect Filipinos to be exceptionally good at singing. We feel a bit pressured, but we’re capable of handling it since we hone our skills everyday.)

Jao: Performing on an international stage, there’s this strong sense of belonging and nostalgia, lalo na sa (especially with) Filipino communities abroad. Sobrang lakas ng support nila. Nandoon din ‘yung feeling na (Their support is incredibly strong. There’s also that feeling that) they miss the Philippines, and we gave it to them by going there. Meron ding international audiences na super grateful kami kasi napapa-cheer at napapahanga sila (There’s also international audiences who we’re super grateful for because they cheer us on and are impressed). And, ‘yun ang gusto naming ipakita sa mga tao na globally accessible ang Alamat (That is what we want to show people — that Alamat is globally accessible). By performing there, they’ll discover that Alamat exists. 

You also have major stages lined up in the Philippines, including ALX: ALAMAT THE LEGENDARY EXPERIENCE, this November. What are you hoping this concert will show about how much the members have grown since your debut?

Alas: Ipapakita namin sa ALX kung ano talaga ‘yung totoong pinaglalaban namin. Hindi lang siya basta ginagawa-gawa namin, lalo na mahaba-haba na rin yung years na itinakbo namin. So, dito namin maipapakita na ito ang ginagawa namin, seryoso kami, at papanindigan namin ‘to.

(We will show through ALX what we are truly fighting for. This isn’t something we’re simply doing — especially with how many years we’ve been at this. So, this is where we will show that this is our craft, that we are serious about it, and that we will stand by it.)

Jao: Dito sa next concert namin, it sums up all of our experiences. ‘Yung growth namin, since naka-dalawang concert na din kami, tapos when Alamat started, we started out with a super strong Filipino concept. So, this time, we want to cherish that, we want to treasure that, and give birth to something new while still remaining grounded.

Moving on to your releases, you’ve put the spotlight on “Sinigang” this year, later winning R&B Song of the Year at the Filipino Music Awards 2026. What made it the next song from DESTINO that you wanted to bring to the forefront and what made this the right moment to release it?

Taneo: I think the original plan was to give each song a highlight and it just so happened that “Sinigang” was the next one. In the next few weeks, few months, there’s gonna be a next one also. We wanted to give each song their own highlight, because I think each song in that album deserves that.

As Jao has also mentioned earlier, Alamat have been growing increasingly hands-on with the creative process of DESTINO. So, has being more involved in the process changed how you see yourselves as artists?

Mo: Malaking factor ‘yun kasi sa sarili namin mismo, napatunayin namin na kaya namin as a group na gumawa ng gusto namin at patok sa panlasa ng mga tao. And, at the same time, connected parin siya sa concept at sa gusto namin iparating. May dagdag din siya sa team chemistry namin. ‘Yung bond namin and ‘yung growth namin as a group and individually as artists, kumbaga sabay-sabay kaming natututo. Kaya maganda siya sa buhay.

(It’s a big factor because we’ve proven to ourselves that, as a group, we’re capable of creating what we want and what resonates with people’s tastes. And, at the same time, it’s still connected to our concept and what we want to convey. It also adds to our team chemistry. Our bond and our growth as a group and individually as artists, we’re all learning together. It’s a great thing to have in life.)

Taneo: I think what makes it great is how we’re all so different. Yet, when we’re working on music, we become one. We’re on the same page for a moment. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing that we’re all different. It’s actually a good thing. It’s that moment where we feel like maganda siya sa buhay (it’s great to have in life). Sabi nga ni Mo (As Mo said). Parang maganda (It’s nice) that you get to feel that you’re one with people.

Tomás: Tsaka, ‘yung pagkakaiba ng knowledge sa music. ‘Yun ‘yung nagpapa-unique sa music namin kaya nagiging maganda. Kasi iba-ibang timpla, iba-ibang kwento, pero iisa ang gusto. Kami, dahil may pagkakaiba, mas maganda ‘yung pinatutunguhan. Iba-iba kami ng pinanggagalingan, iba-ibang ugali, iba-ibang nakasanayan. Basta ang treatment namin sa music, universal language talaga siya. Kahit hindi nila maintindihan lahat ng lengguwahe namin, iisa lang naman ‘yung damdamin.

(Also, there’s the difference in our musical knowledge. That’s what makes our music unique and why it turns out well. We bring different flavors and stories, yet we share the same goal. Because we’re different, the destination becomes better. We come from different backgrounds, have different personalities, and are used to a different way of things. But the way we treat music is that it’s a universal language. Even if people don’t understand all the languages we use, the emotion remains the same.)

This year, you’ve also continued exploring opportunities outside of the group. Have there been things you’ve learned as individual artists that have influenced the group?

Jao: Feel ‘ko mas namo-mold ‘yung individuality ‘ko (I feel like my individuality is being molded more). I feel so much more fulfilled by taking on so many side quests. Because, there was Stars on the Floor, Hell University, and Manila Fashion Week. Iba-iba pero (It’s different but) it all molds me into something that I’m liking right now. And with that, mas nakakapag-provide din ako ng (I’m also able to provide) better insights and thoughts sa Alamat. I think it goes the same din with the others.

Tomás: Ang ikinaganda kapag nag-try ka ng bago ay malalaman mo kung saan ka mahina at kung saan ka makakatulong. Minsan, may mga bagay na hindi mo pa nagagawa pero kapag nagawa mo tsaka mo lang masasabi na bagay pala sa’kin ‘to. (The beauty of trying something new is that you discover your weaknesses and where you can help. Sometimes, there are things you haven’t done yet, but once you actually try them, you might realize it suits you.)

R-Ji: Para sa’kin, recently, napasok kami ni Mo sa My Husband is a Mafia Boss. So, for me, I think I took it as a new story for Alamat’s music. Pwede siyang inspiration. Iba’t ibang klase ng story na sabihin na na’tin na mapa-personal o sa trabaho, pwede siyang ma-aaply sa aming music as inspiration. (Recently, Mo and I were part of My Husband is a Mafia Boss. So, for me, I think I took it as a new story for Alamat’s music. It can serve as an inspiration. Various types of stories — whether personal or work-related — can be applied to our music as a source of inspiration.)

Alas: Nalalabas namin kung ano talaga ‘yung meron kami, with the help na nasa group kami. Ako, as a producerProducerThe person who guides the creative and technical process of making a recording, shaping its sound, arrangement, and overall quality. Producers can write, compose, engineer, and direct performances, and aGo to Producer Glossary, kung wala naman ako sa Alamat, hindi naman ako matututo mag-produce. (We’re able to bring out what we have to offer, thanks to being part of a group. Personally, as a producer, if I weren’t in Alamat, I wouldn’t have learned how to produce.)

Tomás: Actually, hindi ‘yung skill ‘yung mas niloo-look forward ‘ko. ‘Yung mga taong mamee-meet ‘ko doon sa bagong skill na pupuntahan ‘ko. Kasi ‘yung mga tao na nandoon, may iba silang knowledge and way kung paano gawin ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yun.

(Actually, it’s not the skill that I’m most looking forward to. It’s the people I’ll meet while pursuing that new skill. The people there possess different knowledge and unique ways of doing things.)

Mo: Totoo ‘yun, ‘yung pakikitungo mo sa tao. Makakilala ka ng mga bagong tao. Pakikisama. Hindi lang kasi pwede na talented ka, skilled ka, tapos hindi ka marunong makisama sa tao. Laging magkasangga sila. (That’s true. How you treat people, meeting new people, and getting along with others. It’s not enough to just be talented or skilled, but not know how to get along with people. The two always go hand in hand.)

Finally, after this year of milestones and fulfillment for Alamat, what else does the group want to achieve or impart to audiences before the year ends?

R-Ji: After the concert, gusto naming itatak sa mga tao na kailangan nilang pakinggan ang DESTINO. Ang Alamat. (After the concert, we want to leave an impression on people that they need to listen to DESTINO. To Alamat.)

Jao: Hindi naman siya instant, pero mag-add sa progress ng recognition namin. We also want to stay true to what makes us different. What makes us Filipino. 

Tomas: Ako, meron akong dalawa. Una, ang kahalagahan ng kulturang Pilipino. Pangalawa, na mapansin nila ang Alamat. Kasi kapag napansin nila ang Alamat, magkakaroon kami ng budget para magkwento pa ng marami. Tsaka, yayaman din sila sa kaalaman about sa Philippines kasi marami pang hindi nakukuwento ang Alamat about sa Pilipinas.

(For me, there’s two things. First, the importance of Filipino culture. Second, for people to take notice of Alamat. Because if they notice Alamat, we’ll have the budget to tell many more stories. Plus, they’ll also become richer in terms of knowledge about the Philippines because there is still so much about the Philippines that Alamat has yet to share.)

_{Photographed by Lyndon Asuncion. Creative Direction by Kenn Dimaano. Art Direction by Megan Lim. Styling by Bettina Bañez.
Production by Liezel Restauro. Written by Andrea Manuel. Billboard Philippines, November 2026.}

_{This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.}

Andrea Manuel

Writer

Andrea Manuel is a Writer at Billboard Philippines, covering the latest developments in Filipino music and culture. She reports on daily news spanning OPM, P-pop, hip-hop, and mainstream international releases that resonate with Filipino audiences, helping readers stay informed on the artists, releases, and trends shaping today’s music landscape.

Her coverage includes music releases, artist debuts, concert announcements, festival appearances, industry developments, and notable milestones, with a particular interest in documenting the evolving stories of both emerging and established artists across genres.

Andrea has also written concert and album reviews, as well as feature stories drawn from artist interviews. Through timely and engaging reporting, she highlights artists, releases, and cultural moments driving conversations across the Philippine music industry and beyond.

See more stories by Andrea Manuel