Pop rock singer/composer Miguel Escueta breaks his self-imposed musical hiatus with the release of two singles, Summer Dream and Pangako ng Bukas.

Now a fledgling entrepreneur and a proud dad, Miguel was in his early 20s when he first burst into the then flourishing alternative rock scene in 2007.

Some of his singles include Falling Away (2007), Isipin (2007), Handa (2008), Blue Monday (2008), Only Hope (2009), Sleeping While The World’s Awake (2009), and Now It Starts (2010).

Under MCA Music Inc, he released the albums I AM M.E. (2007), I AM ME: Amplified (2008), Sleeping While The World’s Awake (2009), and Now It Starts (2010). He was also a mainstay of the GMA-7 Sunday noontime show, Party P.

Looking back, Miguel names some of his most unforgettable moments during his rockstar years.

He recounts, “Some of the highlights include releasing my first album as a fresh college grad (2007), opening for Kelly Clarkson at the Araneta Coliseum (2009), and having my song Now It Starts (and others), signed with U.S. placement companies and getting them used on TV shows abroad.”

In 2011, Miguel signed up with an indie label (Sly Doggie Productions) in Los Angeles, California, rebranded himself as The Morning Episodes and released the album, Never Felt So Alive. Some of the tunes from Never Felt So Alive got a lot of airplay on college radio across the U.S.

As The Morning Episodes, Miguel released a few more singles, including a collab with Solenn Heussaff, Until The Sunrise (2013), Devil (2017) and Feel the Night (2018).

At the height of his career, Miguel officially ‘retired’ from the music biz in 2019 to focus on building his own family and jumpstarting his coffee business, Frank & Dean Coffee.

Despite his initial decision to quit the music scene ‘cold turkey,’ Miguel, now a proud husband to wife Laia (he got married in 2014), a doting dad to eight-year old daughter Callie, and a successful entrepreneur with five outlets and counting, finds himself heeding the call of his muse.”

He says, “Earlier this year, I just had to write (music). It was so therapeutic at the time it happened. That’s when “Summer Dream” was written, and it just snowballed into recording, releasing, and more writing.”

Soon after, together with longtime buddy and Hale frontman Champ Lui-Pio, Miguel followed up his songwriting comeback with a fitting follow-up, Pangako ng Bukas, around October.

Miguel and Champ share a rich history in the local music scene. Once touring together under the same management, their paths continue to cross. Champ remains active with Hale (which recently celebrated its 20th year), while Miguel relishes his rekindled inspiration for songwriting.

Incidentally, Pangako ng Bukas was also written as a heartfelt tribute to mental health advocacy with its message of hope, with its October release coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month. The single also comes with a music video, creatively crafted by Director Gab Gucci, with Patrick Rodil as cinematographer.

A cursory listen to his new songs reveals a few telltale signs from his earlier influences, including Coldplay and the Foo Fighters.

Surprisingly, though the new material is more piano-driven, the songs build up to a heavier rock vibe, with Miguel’s brother handling the blazing solos.

Looking back, Miguel has no regrets about his early ‘musical retirement.’

He points out, “No regrets, at all. However my musical journey panned out is how God always planned for it to be. I truly believe that. But I suppose in terms of mindset, oftentimes worrying about what other people think was detrimental to progress.”

“When you’re young, I suppose it’s normal. And that’s one thing I’ve learned to let go off as I’ve gotten older. But that’s definitely one thing I want the younger generation to learn and realize sooner rather than later.”

As part of his musical comeback, Miguel recently signed up again with his former management company, Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit.

However, he clarifies, “But I’d like to clarify that I’m not keen on doing the heavy gig and touring circuit again. My family and business still remain my priorities, but any licensing deals are more than welcome, along with select / curated show opportunities.”

Harnessing his musical talent to the fore, Miguel is also optimistic about composing for film or television. With Summer Dream and Pangako ng Bukas sounding like perfect soundtrack material, he remains open to collaborating with like-minded artists.

“Aside from new songs that I’ve been writing, Arnold has also encouraged me to do renditions of a few old Filipino classics, so I’m looking forward to working on new material in that direction,” he adds.

Even with one foot back in the music biz, Miguel admits he has no further ambition for fame or fortune.

He humbly admits, “I think it’s as simple as getting as many people to listen to and hear the music, and allowing that to move them in whatever way. Anything after that is secondary.”

Asked to come up with a word that best describes his current relationship with his music, Miguel says, “It’s a mix of gratitude and having an appreciation/understanding of the importance of the present moment.”

Miguel Escueta is currently managed by ALV Talent Circuit.