The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Isabella Cuartero
What better way to welcome a new decade than with a birthday concert and the launch of a debut album?
Marking both milestones, emerging singer-songwriter Isha Ponti celebrated her 20th birthday with a special concert at Viva Café in Araneta Center, Cubao on June 20, where she introduced the audience to LIKAS, her 10-track debut album.
“LIKAS” is an acronym for “Longing, Illusion, Kindness, Acceptance, and Self-love”— five powerful themes that serve as the emotional core of the album and reflect the experiences behind its songs.
Opening with “Darating,” Ponti led the audience through a set that included “Kabanata,” “Numero,” “Hinga,” “Halika,” “Gulong,” “Bakas,” “Mismo,” and the English tracks “Warmth” and “Riversky.”
Dubbed Asia’s Pop Sweetheart, she also premiered the official music video for “Kabanata,” produced by Ponti Entertainment Production. The video tells the story of young love and the emotional highs and lows that come with it. In English, “kabanata” translates to “chapter,” symbolizing a significant phase in a person’s life.
A surprise guest appearance by singer-actor Kelvin Miranda delighted the audience as he joined Ponti for a duet of Daniel Padilla & Moira Dela Torre’s “Mabagal,” a song they previously recorded together. Miranda, one of Ponti’s close friends in the industry, added a personal touch to the celebration.
Throughout an evening of storytelling, Ponti shared heartfelt insights, reflecting on the experiences, realizations, and lessons that shaped her teenage years.
She also performed curated covers such as Lola Amour’s “Raining in Manila,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” Ben&Ben’s “Leaves,” and December Avenue’s “Kung ‘Di Rin Tayo sa Huli,” among others, with each song carefully chosen to align with the themes of LIKAS.
She capped off the night on a note of acceptance and closure. Looking back on her journey, Ponti said the experiences chronicled in “LIKAS” ultimately taught her the importance of self-love. “I realized I am enough,” she said. “The love that I longed for at the start of this story had been with me all along.”
Beyond showcasing her music, Ponti also gave a glimpse into her personal journey. Reflecting on a recent heartbreak that influenced some of her songwriting, she shared, “I want to rest from love. Nothing romantic for me at the moment.”