Gab Cabangon Releases Debut Single "Pieces"

Gab Cabangon has officially released his debut single, entitled “Pieces.”

Released on September 19, 2025 (Friday) via Underdog Music, the Filipino singer-songwriter’s “acoustic indie pop” debut is described as his “it’s okay to not be okay” anthem. “It’s about saying that it’s okay to go through the grief, the sadness, and the frustration kasi hindi ka naman nag-iisa sa mundo (because you’re not alone in this world). You’ll always have people to help you go through all of it,” said Cabangon to Billboard Philippines. “I don’t want listeners to wallow in self-pity. I want that, in the process of going through grief, the listeners will also find light at the end of the tunnel or, as I sing in the song, ‘pick up the pieces.'”

“Pieces” was originally created by Cabangon as an anniversary gift to his then-girlfriend (now wife) during the COVID-19 pandemic, before resonating among various people thanks to Cabangon performing it during livestreams and, eventually, live gigs. Alongside this, Cabangon also reveals that he sees “Pieces” as his “most consistent” song so far in terms of its structure, which further helped him choosing it to be his debut single as a solo artist. All of this, along with encouragement from his wife and friends, would eventually help him decide to finally take the song to the studio and officially record it.

Notably, “Pieces” was created in collaboration with Cabangon’s “long-time friend and music director David Lina, who brought warmth and tender instrumental work to the arrangements. Additionally, it was mixed and mastered by Shadiel Chan and Jan Fuertez of Open Heaven Studios, “whose sonic touches complemented the poignant feel of the material.” “It’s really important to have a vision but having the humility to be open to other ideas,” states Cabangon when asked what he has learned from working with other artists over the years that has helped him in bringing “Pieces” to life. “I’m really fortunate to have people who helped out with this song because they wanted me to achieve my vision for it and get it to the point where we’re all proud of it. I’m really grateful for them.”

Prior to releasing “Pieces,” Cabangon had been active as purely gigging artist and as the frontman of his band K.E., with whom, he states, was the last time he released music officially, which was back in 2016. Additionally, Cabangon is recognized for his extensive work within the Filipino music industry, most especially as the Program and Marketing Director of the PhilPop MusicFest Foundation, as well as the Executive Director of Organisasyon ng Pilipino Mang-Aawit (OPM) or Organization of Filipino Singers.

“I say a lot to artists na ‘wag silang mahiyang mag-release ng music tapos it felt hypocritical of me that I say all of that pero hindi naman ako nagre-release ng akin (I say a lot to artists that they shouldn’t be shy about releasing music, and it felt hypocritical of me that I say all of that but I don’t even release my own),” Cabangon further reveals when asked what else motivated him to finally release his debut single. “I didn’t even have a good reason not to release music, especially now that I am in a position where I am able to. In terms of having collaborators, there’s also no shortage.”

“I guess I was just making a lot of excuses and getting in my own way. I don’t know if I will succeed or fail but I would rather have tried than deal with what-ifs,” he adds, noting how big of an impact it had for him to finally stop making those excuses and just go for it. “I really wanted to be able to release a song that is true to the vision and to the quality that I wanted it to be.I don’t know if people will like the song. But at the very least, kapag lumabas na siya, I can sleep well at night and I feel like I’ve done something that’s good.”

Following this, Cabangon notes that listeners can definitely expect more music from him from now on. “Not to give away too much, but I’d like to think that it’s the opening song to a letter that I’m writing for the people who are trying to learn to love again.”

Listen to Gab Cabangon’s “Pieces” below:

Gab Cabangon Is Picking Up The “Pieces” In His Debut Single – Listen