There are interviews that happen across a table, inside a studio, or before a show.
This one happened through Facebook Messenger.
The questions were sent to JyEL Tagbo through Messenger, and he answered through voice notes. His health condition has made travel, performances, appearances, and even leaving the hospital difficult, so a voice note interview gave him a way to tell his story without having to physically go somewhere.
What came through those voice notes was more than a career story.
It was three decades of music, independence, faith, struggle, survival, and the decision to keep creating even when so much has changed.
JyEL Tagbo is an international multi-awarded recording artist, guitarist, songwriter, producer, arranger, vocalist, and audio engineer who has been part of the OPM music industry for more than three decades.
He grew up in a musical family. His mother was a piano teacher, while his grandfather was an orchestra conductor.
“Music is really part of my life from the beginning,” he said.
His own relationship with performing started very early. At around two years old, he was already appearing in commercials for products such as toothpaste and milk. By around 14, he was already playing guitar with bands and training as a musician.
Eventually, he was discovered and became a session guitarist for prominent Filipino bands and artists. From there, his work expanded into arranging, recording, producing, and mixing.
By around 2010, he felt ready to carry his own name professionally and began working under JyEL Tagbo.
By then, he already had three national awards, one international award, and his own clientele.
But his story in music was never limited to his own career.
He became deeply involved in the independent music movement in the Philippines. He coined the advocacy “Indie New Mainstream” and spearheaded independent music companies and labels at a time when independent music was still far from being part of the mainstream business.
He also fought for greater OPM exposure on radio, including the idea of having at least three OPM songs played every hour.
“Pinaglaban ko yun,” he said.
He brought the issue to Congress.
For JyEL, those things are not stories to tell simply to list achievements.
“I don’t really mention these things to brag,” he explained.
He looks at them instead as part of a time when being an independent artist was almost a dream.
Today, artists can build their own communities, release their own music, and operate independently.
“And if somehow I helped make that path a little easier, that’s good for me. That’s enough for me.”
A career built around music
After more than three decades, JyEL has worked on hundreds of songs.
He has lost track of the exact number because of the amount of work he has done through his own releases and the hundreds of projects he has handled as a guitarist, arranger, producer, and mixer.
But when asked about the music closest to his heart, his answer became more personal.
His heart, he said, is really in nu metal.
“A nu metal talaga ako.”
He grew up in the 1990s, during a time when hip hop and metal were still largely divided.
“Ang gulo ng panahon na yun.”
He was among the musicians trying to bring hip hop and metal together.
“Hindi lahat nagustuhan, syempre. But then nandun yung puso eh. That’s what, where my heart was.”
As a producer, however, his work eventually became multi-genre.
Growing older in the music scene taught him to step outside his comfort zone, learn different genres, adapt, and eventually master them.
His journey started with performing as a child. He became a guitarist, then a producer and engineer, became involved in the independent music movement, and after more than three decades, he is still making music.
“Every song has a different story”
When asked which of his songs was his favorite, JyEL immediately acknowledged how special it was to him that someone connected with “I Cry Holy.”
The song, he said, is very special to him.
But choosing one favorite song is difficult.
“I don’t have just one favorite song ‘cause I am not really a songwriter who just write songs. I really bleed literally for every song.”
Every word and every movement that comes out of his songs comes from somewhere real.
“Masakit talaga, Miss Issa.”
For him, every song carries a different story and represents a different part of his life.
“Hindi ko talaga kayang pumili ng just one song because every song has a different story in a different part of me. Kumbaga iba ibang chapters ng buhay mo eh.”
If he had to name his top three, he chose “I Cry Holy,” “Bagong Kanta,” and “What I Did for Love.”
But if he could choose only one, he would choose “I Cry Holy.”
“It probably go with I Cry Holy because that sounds very personal to me.”
He described it as a prayer that turned into a song.
Life changed with his health
The interview then moved into a part of his life that was difficult for him to talk about.
JyEL has been dealing with cancer, CKD Stage 5, cervical disc degenerative disease, and other serious conditions. He is under anti-epileptic medication and has reached what he described as his end-stage status.
“Malapit na akong mamatay.”
He has been living in the hospital for three years.
“For the past years, the hospital is practically become my second home.”
His health has changed almost everything about the way he lives and works.
“As the days and years pass my condition gets more difficult. It is what it is.”
Then came one of the hardest lines in the interview.
“Ang hirap sumagot, nasa ospital ako hindi para gumaling. Nasa ospital ako para magkaroon ng quality of life, bago ako mamatay.”
He explained that his time in the hospital is about removing the pain, the burning, and the aches.
“Bago ako mamatay.”
He said it took him a long time to accept that reality.
For an artist whose life has been built around music, one of the biggest struggles is no longer being able to work the way he used to.
He cannot perform live anymore.
He cannot go on tour.
He cannot travel for shows, projects, or even simple appearances.
There are still invitations.
People still invite him to perform or guest, including radio tapings, studio appearances, and interviews.
Most of the time, however, he has to say no because he cannot physically go.
That is why this interview was easier for him.
He could answer through voice notes without leaving the hospital or having to travel home.
“Going out kasi can be detrimental to my condition.”
His world has become smaller.
“My world has become very small.”
He described his life as being centered around three places.
His studio.
His home.
The hospital.
“That’s basically my life now.”
The struggle is not only physical
There is another struggle that comes with not being able to work physically as much as before.
Finances.
As his ability to work decreases, his expenses continue to rise.
“Yung trabaho mo nahihirapan ka, expenses you know.”
Sometimes, he has to ask for help.
“Sometimes nakakahiya man I have to ask for help.”
He admitted that he feels ashamed to do it.
But he continues to create whenever he can.
He may not be able to do everything he used to do, but music remains something he can still do from where he is.
“100%… 150% ,1000%”
When asked if his condition became a hindrance to his performance and songwriting, there was no hesitation.
“Oo naman.”
Then he answered:
“Yes. 100%. 151%, 1000%.”
His condition has become a huge hindrance to his performance.
He cannot perform live anymore.
He cannot go on tour, whether in the Philippines or abroad.
Even his schedule is no longer completely his own.
It revolves around the hospital and his connection to machines.
“I’m at the mercy of the machines.”
Physically, his hands also no longer have the same dexterity.
“Mahira[p] nang gumalaw, masakit.”
For a guitarist and performer, he said, it is a major hindrance.
While answering the question, he became sad.
He apologized, but then explained why.
“Questions like this sometimes open doors that I’ve been keeping close to my heart.”
The questions made him revisit things that were difficult to talk about.
But he was also clear about something.
“Don’t worry. I still have joy in my heart.”
What illness took away, music gave back
Something unexpected happened when he talked about songwriting.
While his condition has taken away much of his physical ability to perform, he believes it has also changed the way he writes.
“Surprisingly I think my condition actually make me better.”
He became more connected to himself.
When he writes, he feels more connected to his heart, mind, and spirit.
He creates from a deeper and more honest place.
“Every time I create something there’s something real behind it.”
For JyEL, music is no longer simply about fame or making art.
“It is for survival.”
Every song has a purpose.
“Every time I write something, there is a purpose.”
Music is also his job and his bread and butter. He considers himself fortunate that people continue to trust him enough to pay him for his work.
That work helps him survive.
His condition has taken a lot from his ability to perform.
But songwriting has become deeper.
“Songwriter, hindi na ako nagsusulat just because I can. I write because I have something to say, something to feel and sometimes something I need to survive.”
Then, after becoming emotional during the interview, he laughed lightly.
“Grabe ka, pinaiyak mo pa ako sa mga questions mo.”
And then he moved on.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be good.”
Is it easier to be an independent artist now?
After more than three decades in the industry, JyEL has seen the music business change from the inside.
He does not believe there is a simple answer to whether being an independent artist is easier now.
There is a trade-off.
When he started, getting music out was difficult.
Artists needed connections.
They had to bring demos to record labels and radio stations.
There was also payola, which he described as bribing DJs or radio stations to play music.
“That was part of our old reality.”
Recording a good demo was expensive.
The industry was transitioning from analog to digital. There were only a few good studios and engineers.
Performing live could also mean paying to play.
“So yeah, it was hard to get in.”
Then came 2026.
“Now everything is at your fingertips.”
An artist can record using a laptop and interface or even a phone.
Music can be released worldwide without a major label.
Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and online distributors have changed access to music.
“And ang dali na ngayon gumawa at mag release ng music.”
For JyEL, this is probably the best time to be an independent artist.
He says that as someone who actually fought for independent artists to have the freedom to create and release their own music.
But there is another side.
Before, entering the industry was difficult, but there was also a certain level of quality control.
Producers, engineers, and labels screened music before it reached the public.
Today, everyone can be an artist.
JyEL sees that as a beautiful thing.
“Everybody has a voice.”
His concern is not DIY music itself.
His concern is the loss of quality control.
Music is subjective, he said. What sounds good to one person may not sound good to another.
But engineering still matters.
He can hear the difference between a good composition and a poorly recorded or badly mixed song.
That is why producers and engineers remain important.
“Technology can give you the tools but it cannot automatically give you the ears, experience and judgment.”
So is it easier now?
“Yes, absolutely.”
It is much easier to enter the music industry.
But becoming successful or getting heard?
“No.”
In fact, he believes that part may be harder now.
Before, the door was difficult to open.
Now, the door is wide open.
But millions of people are trying to get through it at the same time.
“The challenge has shifted from access to attention and from getting a chance to getting heard.”
“I don’t really call you fans”
When asked what message he wanted to give his fans, JyEL immediately corrected the word.
“Naku, wala naman akong fans.”
He then thanked everyone who has listened to his music since the 1990s.
“Salamat for staying with me through all these years, through all the different chapters of my life and my music.”
He also thanked those who are only discovering his music now.
“Thank you for listening and for giving my music a chance.”
He believes there is no such thing as old music.
“There’s no such thing as old music. Everything becomes new music to new ears.”
Then his message moved beyond music.
He knows that everyone has their own struggles, problems, and battles.
“Whatever you’re going through, please keep going. Keep fighting and don’t give up on yourself.”
He also spoke about his faith.
“I’m not here to push my faith on anyone. I respect all.”
For him, however, he chose Jesus Christ, and that is where his faith is.
What he hopes for everyone is simple.
That people continue to become better versions of themselves.
“Kumbaga, keep moving forward.”
And again, he does not call the people who listen to his music fans.
“Not fans. Listeners, friends and people who have become part of my journey. Mga kapatid.”
Still making music
His message is not a farewell to music.
As long as he is alive and God gives him the strength, he says he will keep making music.
His music is available on digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and YouTube.
He continues to post regularly, especially on Facebook.
“If it happened to like what you hear, follow, share and stay connected.”
For him, that already means a lot.
“Sa mga kapatid ko, maraming maraming salamat po.”
He also thanked Excapelabs for giving him a platform to share his life, his music, and everything that comes with it.
He described Excapelabs as one of the more powerful platforms among artists and creatives who have stories to tell.
“I’m just really full of Thanksgiving.”
Before ending the interview, JyEL had one small request.
He asked that his name be written exactly as he spells and stylizes it.
“Now it’s JyEL Tagbo.”
He wanted that spelling and styling to remain intact on the website, feature, or article.
Then came his final words.
“Thank you for the interview, for the invitation and most especially for giving me the space to share my story. I really, really do appreciate it.”
“God bless you, ma’am.”
And then, one final detail from a voice note recorded while he was preparing to leave.
“I’m off to the hospital now.”
For those who wish to help JyEL Tagbo
JyEL has openly shared that his health has affected his ability to work physically and that financial struggles have become part of what he is facing.
For anyone who wishes to extend help, the following details were provided:
GCash: 0926 638 7583
Maya: 0926 638 7583
PayPal: polyphiasky@gmail.com
BDO Account Name: Jayelle Tagbo
BDO Account No.: 0125 2600 5120
Still here
After more than three decades in music, JyEL Tagbo is still here.
Still writing.
Still creating.
Still working from the places available to him.
Still connected to the music that has been part of his life since childhood.
His world may now be smaller, but music remains inside it.
The performances may have stopped.
The tours may no longer be possible.
His hands may no longer move the way they once did.
But the songs remain.
And for JyEL, every song still has a purpose.
Something to say.
Something to feel.
Sometimes, something to survive.
“Keep going. Keep fighting and don’t give up on yourself.”
Those were his words for the people listening.
And perhaps they also explain why, after more than three decades, he is still making music.
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