Filipino singer-songwriter Gab Cabangon explores burnout, heartbreak, and the courage to begin again in Learn to Love Again, his debut five-track EP released through Underdog Music.
Described by Cabangon as an “open diary,” the collection draws from his experiences navigating the music industry, balancing creative ambitions with professional demands, and rediscovering his love for songwriting and performing. Rather than presenting healing as a quick fix, the EP follows the gradual process of confronting disappointment, allowing space for rest, and reconnecting with the people and passions that matter.
The release marks a personal milestone for the Awit Award-nominated artist, who turned his frustrations about life, career, and love into a collection of songs shaped by collaboration with fellow musicians.
What Is Gab Cabangon’s ‘Learn to Love Again’ EP About?
Learn to Love Again follows five emotional stages, moving through frustration, vulnerability, rest, and rediscovery before arriving at a more hopeful understanding of love.
Cabangon began questioning his relationship with music after years of juggling live performances, behind-the-scenes work supporting other artists, and plans to release his own material. The pressure of managing these responsibilities affected his confidence and enthusiasm for his craft.
Instead of allowing those frustrations to end his creative journey, he worked with friends in the music scene to turn his experiences into songs.
“I also realized after writing everything that I just needed to show up,” Cabangon shares, reflecting on the importance of leaning on his wife, family, friends, and community during difficult periods.
The EP's message extends beyond romantic relationships. It also speaks to people who have struggled with creative burnout, career setbacks, or the feeling that they are falling behind while others move forward.
‘Love Again’ Leads the EP’s Message of Starting Over
The focus track, “Love Again,” captures the central idea behind the EP: stepping away from something meaningful does not necessarily mean losing it forever.
Cabangon wrote the song after taking a brief break from music during the pandemic. The pause gave him time to reconsider his relationship with songwriting and reconnect with the reasons he began making music.
That experience shaped the song's message about letting go, healing, and finding the motivation to return to a once-loved pursuit.
“I think it taught me to rest and to pause,” he explains. “That I didn’t have to be impatient and do music non-stop. It didn’t make me less of an artist.”
His reflection challenges the idea that constant productivity is the only measure of commitment. Sometimes, taking time away can help people understand what they want to return to and how they want to move forward.
For Cabangon, learning to love again is not a straight path. It involves accepting setbacks without losing sight of the reasons behind the journey.
What Are the Five Songs on ‘Learn to Love Again’?
Each track contributes a different perspective on disappointment, recovery, and renewed connection.
1. “Ikot Ulit”
The song confronts the anger and frustration that come with false promises, repeated disappointments, and obstacles that make progress feel difficult.
2. “Pieces”
This track embraces vulnerability, acknowledging that healing can involve grief, emotional breakdowns, and accepting help from others.
3. “Kama”
A reminder to slow down, “Kama” explores the value of rest in a culture that often places productivity above personal well-being.
4. “Love Again”
The EP's emotional centerpiece reflects on stepping away from a passion and gradually finding the courage and inspiration to return.
5. “ngayon at kailanman”
The collection closes on a hopeful note, looking toward love built on honesty, reassurance, and genuine connection.
Together, the songs present recovery as a process rather than a single turning point. The collection acknowledges frustration and uncertainty while leaving room for renewed affection, creative ambition, and personal growth.
Who Worked on Gab Cabangon’s Debut EP?
Cabangon collaborated with musicians and producers who helped develop the songs from acoustic demos into finished recordings.
David Lina handled arrangement and production, working with Cabangon through collaborative studio sessions. Shadiel Chan and Jan Fuertez of Nine Degrees North handled mixing and mastering, while Cha Martinez contributed lead guitars to “Love Again.”
For “Kama,” Cabangon worked with Gab Lazaro of Project Yass, vydd, Kyla Miel, and his wife, Geli, exploring different instrumental and vocal textures.
The collaborative process reflects the EP's broader message: creative work does not have to happen in isolation. Support from other musicians helped Cabangon shape a project rooted in personal experiences into a collection intended to connect with listeners facing their own uncertainties.
Where Can You Listen to ‘Learn to Love Again’?
Gab Cabangon's Learn to Love Again is out now through Underdog Music. Listeners can search for the five-track EP on their preferred digital music platform.
With this debut release, Cabangon offers a perspective on starting over that avoids easy answers. The songs acknowledge that disappointment, exhaustion, and uncertainty are part of life, but they do not have to mark the end of a meaningful journey.
Sometimes, moving forward begins with allowing yourself to pause, accepting support, and remembering why you started in the first place.
