Music often tries to fit human emotion into neat, three-minute packages, but true feeling is far messier. OPM’s resident yearner, Maki, has quietly built a reputation as one of the genre’s most intentional emotional architects. Celebrating three years of his breakout EP Tanong and one year of his debut album Kolorcoaster, Maki relies on craftsmanship over algorithms, pairing intimate, diary-like lyrics with dynamic production to reflect the nuances of growing up, breaking down, and healing.

From navigating the intricacies of love to celebrating sudden emotional resets, ZEEN picks nine Maki tracks that served as our soundtrack through heartbreak, friendship, doubts, and comebacks:

“Kailan?” 

Serving as a foundational pillar of his debut EP Tanong, “Kailan?” captures the exact moment the rug gets pulled from under you. It is a track built on the agonizing back-and-forth between trying to fathom what went wrong and slowly breaking under the truth. 

Maki basically asks the single question that keeps people up at night: when did the other person fall out of love? The track highlights his strength as a lyricist, allowing the quiet grief of realization to hit far harder than a dramatic outburst.

“kahel na langit“

We all harbor an innate, quiet longing to be understood, and “kahel na langit” encapsulates that universal desire for a constant, a “someone” who will simply sit with you and listen regardless of the weather. Set against a backdrop that feels like a sunset drive after an exhausting day, Maki uses soft, ambient production to turn a simple sky into a symbol of emotional safety and shared quietness.

“Kurba“

Written and composed by SunKissed Lola’s Alvin Serito for the PhilPop x Himig Handog Songwriting Festival, “Kurba” is an instant, feel-good anthem dedicated to the simple sensation of someone making you smile. Interpreted by Maki, the track feels like a breezy train ride with your favorite person, capturing that playful, constant nakaw-tinginan across a crowded space. Its smooth, bouncing groove earned well-deserved recognition, taking home the MYX Choice Award for Best Music Video and the Smart People’s Choice Award.

“Dilaw“

“Dilaw” will always feel like warm sunlight breaking through a long storm. An absolute powerhouse track, it made history as the very first song to top the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and earned Maki a spot on the global Spotify charts. 

Beyond its historic commercial success and awards (including Awit Awards Best Pop Recording), the track’s true brilliance lies in its core concept: it’s an ode to finding your personal hue and your way back to happiness. As Maki himself shared, the kilig woven into the lyrics isn’t just about a crush but is about feeling your spark reignite after feeling gray for so long.

“Abelyana“

Standing tall as one of the OG anthems for the torpe, “Abelyana” captures the sweet, terrifying tension of gathering the courage to steal a glance at someone you admire from afar. Grounded in warm acoustic arrangements, Maki captures the subtle, delicate dance of silent admiration delivering every line with the gentle nervousness of someone holding their breath.

“Halaga“

“Halaga” feels like a slow dance in a slow-burn romance. Its lush melody and deliberate, sweeping lyrics capture what it feels like to finally settle into security—not necessarily in a wedding-aisle sense, but in the quiet, comforting realization of being chosen and valued for exactly who you are. It remains a masterclass in how Maki handles romantic reassurance.

“Para Sa Buwan“

“Para Sa Buwan” stands out as an underrated and ambitious multilingual track from Maki’s discography that blends local linguistic nuances into a seamless musical tapestry. 

The song plays like a solemn anthem to our personal vows, promising to choose someone no matter the distance, time, or circumstances. Its acoustic, mellowed-down melodies wrap around the listener like a warm hug amidst a cold, dark night.

“Siguro?”

Capturing the defeated angst of modern dating, “Siguro?” voices the endless, painful question: “When will I be the one?” 

It speaks directly to the experience of being a supportive pitstop in someone else’s journey, helping them heal or grow, only to realize you won’t be the person tagged along toward the end of their road. Maki turns that quiet, lingering existential doubt into an oddly cathartic track.

“Nangungulila“

The ultimate closer to this emotional spectrum, “Nangungulila” represents the quiet art of acceptance. It is the feeling of letting someone go with grace while continuing to root for them from a distance. Free of unnecessary tricks, Maki relies on sweeping vocal arrangements and lived-in, raspy tones to capture a mature, unselfish kind of love that chooses peace over possession.