This math grad is racking up numbers—in the music charts
Amiel Sol has always known that he could write music as well as he could crunch numbers.
As a student at Makati Science High School, he excelled in math and science, all the while participating in battle of the bands-type events. Later, at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he took up BS Mathematics, Sol made the rounds of open mic nights, busked at food parks, and performed in school org programs, but still managed to graduate as a Department of Science and Technology scholar in 2023.
“I played within the campus and in nearby Quezon City bars. I would scour Facebook groups for places with slots—unahan ’yun. No one would be there, most of the time, except for me and my fellow singers. Kami-kami lang din nanonood. But there was a sense of community. There was no money in it, but I had fun. Besides, most college students are broke anyway!” he told Lifestyle.
For the past five years, the music artist churned out songs, mostly originals (“Ikaw ang Patutunguhan,” “Gunita”), with a cover here and there (“Ngayon at Kailanman”). He kept at it for the sheer joy of making music, and scoring a hit never really crossed his mind. But just when he least expected it, his diligence and patience paid off.
Sol’s latest single, “Sa Bawat Sandali” (Ivory Music)—a comforting guitar ballad about finally letting one’s guard down and finding rest in a romantic prospect—has been surging to the top of various local music charts. As of writing, the song is No. 1 in Spotify Philippines’ daily Top 50 chart. It also reached No. 1 on the weekly Top Songs Philippines chart last month, and spent 48 consecutive days at the top of the Viral 50 chart.
Released last December, the song has since accumulated 31.5 million streams on the said platform. And just this week, “Sa Bawat Sandali” has risen to the third spot—and could very well challenge for No. 1—on both the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and the Official Philippines Chart in the coming weeks.
Doing what he loves
“I can’t believe this is happening … I have been enjoying myself so much I didn’t realize it has been five years since I started releasing songs. But my motivation, really, is to just do what I love,” he stressed. “I just want to be grateful for each song, each gig. I want to maintain that kind of mindset.”
While “Sa Bawat Sandali” was already doing big numbers on its own, the song’s inclusion in the popular, coming-of-age romantic series “Ang Mutya ng Section E”—featuring Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga—helped it reach a different audience. The love team would eventually star in the song’s music video.
“The show’s fans engage with me, and they have also discovered my other songs, which is great,” he said.
The rising singer-songwriter had been working as a data analyst until recently, but decided to set aside his job to pursue music full time. Math and science are the more practical choice, and promise stability and security. Music, however, is a passion. And given the choice between the two, he would always be inclined to choose the latter.
“A day job is something I can go back to anytime. But an opportunity in music is something I don’t know if I will have ever again. So I don’t want to regret not giving it my all. The break I have been waiting for is here, and I want to make the most out of it,” he pointed out.
More bookings now
Besides, his streaming success has now translated into bookings. From doing two to four gigs a month, that number has gone up to 13 last month. “Back then, I could juggle music with my day job. Now that’s difficult to do. But that’s a good thing for me because I really want my music career to take off,” he said.
Sol looks up to the likes of Ebe Dancel and Johnoy Danao as his musical influences. And it shows in his work. Often soothing and yearning, his compositions have gentle echoes of folk-pop and kundiman—the kind you would play while slow dancing, or better yet, during a wedding.
“I love it when people tell me that they want to use my songs for their wedding. The idea of people using your work on one of the most important days of their lives is such a big compliment. And I have seen some couples tagging me on Instagram posts of their same-day edits. Next time they should get me so I can sing live!” he said, laughing.
But while he waits for his first gig as a wedding singer, Sol plans to continue writing new songs and releasing them as singles until such time that he’s confident enough to put out an EP. But no pressure.
Of course, it would be nice if his succeeding releases could build on the momentum “Sa Bawat Sandali” has built. And while it appears that numbers will continue to be part of his life—mostly as a metric of success—they’re not the be-all and end-all of what he does.
“I think my team is more pressured than I am!” he quipped. “But I’m not after the numbers. Being able to create music that I love is all that matters. Everything else is just a bonus.”
