Naga City Blossoms as a Hub for Original Music
A music movement popularly known as “Bicol Pop” has been taking root in Naga City. Since 2021, the movement has consistently developed live performance platforms to put the spotlight on original regional music.
Recently, Bicol Pop co-founder and multi-awarded singer-songwriter Karl Ramirez pushed the city’s music industry a notch higher with the launch of the Pagsibol Songmaking Classes.
“It’s the first of its kind, especially in Naga City. Pagsibol students are honed in both songwriting and song production,” said Ramirez. “Our classes are safe spaces where students can express ideas—musical or otherwise—without judgment. We also hold healthy discussions on composers’ rights, music marketing best practices, artist branding, and more.”
February’s National Arts Month saw the blossoming of seven new song makers: Angelo Perida, Charmelle, Ella Claire, Sepmari, Kim Silerio, Samot-Sari, and Thaddea. This pioneering Pagsibol batch produced seven new songs—two written in Bikol, one in English, and four in Filipino.
“Whatever the musical style or genre, we believe in supporting the existing artistry of every individual who comes our way,” Ramirez added. “While we welcome creations in Filipino and English, we continuously inspire them to create in Bikol and tackle themes of social relevance, such as human rights and good governance.”
With a growing number of initiatives for songwriters, Naga City is rapidly evolving into a vibrant hub for original music—a development well worth watching in the coming years.
Pagsibol Songmaking Class Batch 2 is now open for enrollment. Pagsibol classes are managed by musician Verna Abalayan-Velasco of the band Kilyab.
Carless Sunday
Experience #BicolPop at C(art)ful: Carless Saturday on February 21, 2026 5-9 PM at Barlin St., Heritage District, Naga City! Catch a showcase of Naga City’s original music at the Silyab! Bicol Pop Street Jam stage: Gabriel, Tntn, Ikay, Acaina. (Edwin Jude Fernandez), Hatinduyog, Guryon, Dwell, The Pagsibol Batch 1 song makers, and Kilyab!
Learn more about the featured artists:
ACAINA. (Edwin Jude Fernandez)
Acaina. is a singer-songwriter that features in his story-telling songs that tackle hope, love, and happiness. The musician/trio band hails from Bula and Naga City.
DWELL
Our kamusiko in Dwell are perhaps the youngest Bicol Pop members who originally performed as the accompaniment live rock band in Ateneo de Naga’s Sierra, the Javierada musical.
GABRIEL
Gabriel is a passionate 19-year-old singer and songwriter writing songs that explore love—its highs, lows, and everything in between—turning personal feelings into heartfelt melodies.
GURYON
Guryon is a Naga City reggae band whose music speaks about freedom, gratitude, and the simple joy of nature with laid back rhythms meaningful lyrics. “We bring calm and grounded energy that reflects a deep connection to life and the world around us.”
HATINDUYOG
An acoustic and saxophone musician/band. The band performed their original songs, Lapit Ka, Ililihim, Here Alone, and Di Na Lalayo in Sulog: Bicol Pop Songwriters, SM City Naga, April 2024.
IKAY (Erica Mae Jaucian)
A singer-songwriter and band member of Katarsis. She writes wonderful melodies that sing about love, compassion, and even about the environment.
KILYAB
Karl Ramirez at ang Kilyáb is a unique Bicol Pop musical performance blending pop and indigenous sounds to celebrate hope, advance good governance, hold high the flag of original and socially relevant music, and vibe with deep love for Bikol and country.
TNTN
Jonathan Ramirez “tntn” (pronounced tan-tan) is a Camarines Sur–based singer-songwriter blending indie alternative pop with a lighthearted carrying feel-good originals that uplifts and connects.
The header shows members of Pagsibol Songmaking Class Batch 1 together with their mentors, Verna Abalayan-Velasco and Karl Ramirez of the band Kilyab. Click to learn more about Bicol Pop.