The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By ISABELLA CUARTERO
A new voice in Original Pilipino Music is steadily capturing hearts. Isha Ponti, who goes by the title, Asia’s Pop Sweetheart, Isha Ponti.
The emerging singer-songwriter is set to release her first studio album, LIKAS, an emotional collection of songs that explores love, growth, healing, and self-discovery.
The title LIKAS stands for Longing, Illusion, Kindness, Acceptance, and Self-love—five powerful themes that shape the soul of the album and the emotional journey behind every track.
“This album is about my personal experiences when it comes to love, to my dreams, to my heartaches,” Isha shared during a media conference in Quezon City, May 30.
More than just a collection of songs, LIKAS serves as a reflection of the moments that have shaped her life.
“These are experiences that changed me, challenged me, and helped me grow. I wanted to turn those moments into music that other people could connect with,” she said.
The album features ten emotionally charged tracks:
‘Darating’
‘Numero’
‘Hinga’
‘Kabanata’
‘Halika’
‘Warmth’
‘Gulong’
‘Bakas’
‘Riversky’
‘Mismo’
For Isha, music has never been about competition. Instead, it has always been about connection and inspiration.
“I pursued music not because I want to compete, but I want to share something that could inspire people, heal them, or be part of their special occasions,” she said. “Me sharing my music is more important than competing.”
That passion for storytelling is evident in her songwriting. To date, Isha has written more than 29 songs, drawing inspiration from her own experiences and emotions.
“I can turn my stories into songs, into music. And I can share them with people that I love,” she said.
Musically, Isha embraces the sound and sentimentality of late 1990s and early 2000s OPM. She cites MYMP, Nina, and Juris as some of her biggest influences, whose music helped shape her artistry and songwriting style.
Looking ahead, the young artist hopes to collaborate with some of the industry’s respected performers, including Sarah Geronimo, Yeng Constantino, Janine Teñoso, and Maki.
As her audience continues to grow, Isha is steadily making her mark in the local music scene, with over 6,490 monthly listeners on Spotify. Through LIKAS, she hopes to reach even more listeners with songs that inspire, comfort, and remind people that they are not alone in their journeys.
With heartfelt storytelling and a genuine desire to connect, Isha Ponti is emerging as one of the promising new voices in contemporary OPM.