Vlad Bunoan

Hiro Ozaki (left) moved from Japan to the Philippines three years ago and has joined singer Ivo Gatela (center) and drummer Lem Belaro (right) in the band Route xYz. Handout

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 960px; display: block;" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775714662950IMG_20260312_212017.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align: left;">Hiro Ozaki (left) moved from Japan to the Philippines three years ago and has joined singer Ivo Gatela (center) and drummer Lem Belaro (right) in the band Route xYz. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>Hiro Ozaki is a Japanese musician who was formerly a member of SkyGarden, a trio (with fellow Japanese Iwa Maegawa and Japanese-Filipino Ryo Rivera Nagatsuka) which began as video content creators before signing up as local recording artists in 2023.</p><p>Ozaki was so serious about pursuing a music career in the country that he sought ways to improve his craft and gain more confidence. He hooked up with former Callalily member Lem Belaro, who took Ozaki under his wing.</p><p>Only last month, Belaro launched a new band, Route xYz, with a single, &ldquo;Madama,&rdquo; and two young members, Ivo Gatela on vocals and Ozaki on guitar. The band performed live at &rsquo;70s Bistro with members of media in the audience.</p><p>ABS-CBN News engaged Ozaki in an online chat.</p><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>You first came to the Philippines three years ago. What made you want to stay here?</strong></div><p>Last February, I almost gave up. One of the reasons I stayed is Route xYz. Sir Lem helped me redirect [my plans] and hang on. And now, here I am, still burning with my passion and love for music.</p><div><strong>You also learned to speak Filipino. How did you do it?</strong></div><p>Usap-usap lang with Filipinos, [learning by listening to conversations] on the streets. When I was doing vlogs, I communicated and bonded with Filipino street vendors.</p><div><strong>When did you hook up with Lem, and why did you want to be mentored by him?</strong></div><div>In 2023 he saw my vlog, titled &ldquo;OPM turns into anime Magbalik.&rdquo; He said he saw my passion for music &hellip; Hilig niya tumulong, especially sa younger generation in the music industry. Sobrang galing niyang mentor, not just in music. He also taught me good etiquette in the music industry and discipline sa sarili.<span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 960px; display: block;" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1775714780279IMG_20260312_203329.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align: left;">The band Route xYz at its launch in &#39;70s Bistro. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Did you imagine you&rsquo;d get to join Lem in a band like Route xYz?</strong></div><p>Actually, no. Kasi Sir Lem came from a legendary band, and I&rsquo;m not like other guitarists who have a high level of skills. I was shocked when he invited me to join Route xYz. He said skills can be built and improved, but not all musicians have passion.</p><div><strong>Like Ivo, you seem totally caught up in the energy and passion of rock &rsquo;n&rsquo; roll onstage. Do you also get into a particular mood or state of mind, as Ivo said at Route xYz&rsquo;s launch?</strong></div><p>I just enjoy it. Every time I perform onstage, kahit walang tao, I always give my best and enjoy playing, sobrang saya ko. I really love performing onstage.</p><div><strong>How long have you been playing the guitar?</strong>&nbsp;</div><p>I started playing guitar at 17 years old. In Japan, while watching TV, I saw a guitarist and felt like he was so cool. I wanted to be like that. I learned on my own.&nbsp;</p><div><strong>Are there any particular guitarists you admire or whose style you emulate?</strong></div><p>Toru Yamashita of One Ok Rock and Jomal Linao of Kamikazee.</p><div><strong>Do you see yourself writing songs, too?</strong></div><p>I had composed three songs when I was a GMA artist. With Route xYz, we plan to compose a Filipino song with Japanese lyrics.</p><div><strong>What have you learned so far as a young musician in the Philippines?</strong></div><p>If you don&rsquo;t have discipline, you cannot be a good musician.</p><div><strong>What do you do in your spare time?</strong></div><p>I make my own [video] content for my personal page, &ldquo;OPM turns into J-rock,&rdquo; and also for Route xYz. Every day, Ivo, Sir Lem, and I are in the [recording] studio.</p>

<p>Hiro Ozaki credits ex-Callalily member Lem Belaro for improved skills and renewed passion</p>

Hiro Ozaki credits ex-Callalily member Lem Belaro for improved skills and renewed passion

Japanese musician joins new Pinoy band Route xYz

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Japanese musician joins new Pinoy band Route xYz

Jingo Zapata

Published April 09, 2026 02:11 PM PHT

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Hiro Ozaki

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