MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- The first EP release from critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel, Habangbuhay is now out on vinyl format as a collaborative project between Widescope Entertainment and Backspacer Records. Dancel’s “Habangbuhay” EP leads the listener on an inspirational sound trip that brings you to new depths with his incredibly relatable lyricism and signature sound.

“Habangbuhay is a wedding-themed EP that I wrote and recorded during the lockdown,” Dancel said of his exciting new release. “Because of the restrictions back then, most of the musicians had to record at home. As for me, I would go to a studio to record vocals with Rico Blanco – who served as producer for the EP - on Zoom. It was very challenging but at the same time, very rewarding.”

In a recent media conference held to promote the album, Dancel described the songs on the record as songs for different parts of the wedding. "Sabi ko kay Rico, tayo na lang gumawa ng soundtrack sa kasal. The first one ('Manatili') is a (wedding) prayer song, there's a wedding vow ('Tanging Kailangan'), there's a wedding dance ('Ang Huling Unang Sayaw'), and what Rico and I call our SDE (same day edit) song ('Habangbuhay')."

"I think writing these songs was therapeutic. Wedding shows are always fun," Dancel added. "Always. Fun. There's always that one person who loves you. Masarap balikan yung mga alaala na yun and can you imagine the first few months of lockdown? EDSA was empty. That's hard. Sabi nga ng mga kaibigan ko parang primed ako for the lockdown, kasi back when I was living in Los Banos, nobody really knew who I was until I went out of the house to run, or buy, or take care of something. Not being able to see my parents, my Mama, my Dad, my siblings, my nephews and my niece, that was really difficult. So I channeled everything into these four songs."

When asked about "Tanging Kailangan", Ebe said he wrote the song, "with the intention of it being my future wedding vow. So, instead of promising someone the moon and the stars, you tell the person that life is hard. And sometimes I'm a victim of my own high expectations, and I fail all the time. That's what you're getting, but you're also getting a person who'll take care of you, who'll be a friend for the rest of your life, driver also, chaperone..."

The four tracks – “Manatili”, “Tanging Kailangan”, “Huling Sumayaw”, and “Habangbuhay” -- touch on passion and everlasting love, masterfully showcasing Dancel’s talent as a renowned storyteller through music.

“This is my first concept-based release,” Dancel summed up of his new music that is also his third on vinyl. Previous to this, he re-recorded some songs from his former band Sugarfree on an album entitled Baliktanaw in 2020. His second solo album Bawat Daan was re-released on vinyl last 2021 in a tie-up between Star Music and Backspacer Records.

“I feel very blessed,” he said of his music on vinyl. “I never imagined I’d be releasing my music on vinyl. This is coming from a guy who used to record demos on tape recorders.”

Although the song is available on all streaming and digital platforms, “Habangbuhay” is also available as a limited edition release on 10-inch silver colored vinyl with a gatefold cover. This also represents the first collaboration between Widescope Entertainment and Backspacer Records.

"We are happy to partner with Backspacer Records on this special limited edition of vinyl with our very own Mr. Ebe Dancel. We believe in OPM as we strongly venture into more pioneering efforts of breaking barriers and bridging talented Pinoys in realizing their dreams. Moreover, we will be introducing more artists as they join our roster of nurturing labels namely, Icons Music and Bandido Rekords releasing songs from various genres as we further create the best in Filipino Music to satisfy the industry we all love," said Vic De Vera, President of Widescope Entertainment.

Backspacer Records is the brainchild of Robert and Tasha Tuazon and has been the leader in new OPM vinyl releases since 2021. “Backspacer Records takes pride in releasing the best quality OPM records on vinyl. We are grateful that Ebe and Widescope trusted us to be their collaborative partner in this project. Now fans can enjoy an elevated listening experience of Ebe’s new songs through this vinyl release,” said Robert Tuazon, co-owner of Backspacer Records.

The album was produced by Ebe's manager, trusted friend, and fellow musician Rico Blanco, who faced the undaunting challenge of having to record during the pandemic. "I think I just felt that at tha t time especially, we were all home and living in this hard reality. I wanted to offer an escape. Everyone wwas doing home computer music. I think Ebe's songs were asking for a certain grandness, more like some scale, some grandness talaga. Of course, the occasion asks for it. I think if you ask anyone at that point in their lives, the wedding is the biggest day of their lives. I forced myself to commit to the strings even kind of knowing that it was almost impossible to do that via Zoom, where do you get the musicians, how are they going to record, will they sound cohesive or will they sound like an orchestra. All of these were questions back then. It was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. And I hope it stands the test of time."

Music fans nationwide may order Ebe Dancel’s Habangbuhay from Backspacer Records’ website at www.backspacerrecords.com or they may visit their vinyl shop at the 2nd Floor of ACE Plaza, Brixton St. corner United St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City.