Crisanto Ramos Jr

The Singapore-based Filipino singer-songwriter embraces his heritage in a deeply personal Tagalog release that explores love, loss, and closure.

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ICEBOX Revisits OPM Roots with Emotional Single "SA AKIN" - One Music PH

<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>The Singapore-based Filipino singer-songwriter embraces his heritage in a deeply personal Tagalog release that explores love, loss, and closure. </strong></div><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">Following the breakthrough of his viral hit, <strong><u>“ikaw ikaw ikaw,”</u></strong> which has amassed more than 30 million streams on <strong>Spotify</strong> alone and introduced him to a rapidly growing Filipino audience, Singapore-based singer-songwriter and producer <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> returns to his OPM roots with the release of his new single <strong><u>“SA AKIN”</u></strong>—out today via <strong><u>PARKA</u></strong>. </p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bb7tJ6HDlYQ?si=h6qJbUPgF06rFDD6" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><div style="text-align:justify"><strong></strong></div><p style="text-align:justify">Embracing the language and emotional depth that have long been central to his identity as a Filipino growing up overseas, <strong><u>“SA AKIN”</u></strong> reflects his evolving commitment to reconnect with his heritage through music.</p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">Lyrically, the song serves as an intimate portrait of the emotional limbo that clings to one after the end of a relationship. Rather than presenting heartbreak as a singular moment, the track lingers in the liminal space between abandonment and longing: a place where one person has already let go while the other remains haunted by memories, unanswered questions, and the hope that refuses to disappear. In summary, the song captures the exhausting cycle of searching for closure in a place that no longer feels like home. </p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">Although much of the song’s lyrical foundation was written nearly three years ago, <strong><u>“SA AKIN”</u></strong> underwent an extensive creative transformation before reaching its final form. Initially conceived as a school project collaboration with a longtime friend, the song has evolved through countless demos before <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> revisited it alongside producers <strong><u>Dominic</u></strong> and <strong><u>Timothy</u></strong> of <strong><u>PARKA</u></strong>. </p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify"><strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> also credited the success of <strong><u>“ikaw, ikaw, ikaw,”</u></strong> his crossover collaboration with Filipino singer-songwriter <strong><u>Eliza Maturan</u></strong>, as an inspiration in shaping the final sound of his latest track.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jD3P4RaXVnE?si=AbuFf9suip1G5m1X" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qwEspWsaCnw?si=bP_5-GZJnJrh3X8C" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YqYle1y0ziM?si=7zxQ39s0aMttJBGI" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/duWs8cHEX8c?si=WjQgY1R7VCo6CjTp" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">“That song has obviously been such a monumental part of the catalysis of my music career,” <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> admits. “I never really expected those three-hour writing and production sessions with <strong><u>Eliza</u></strong> amounted to such a hit, unlocking the doors to the Filipino market for me and exposing my art to a familiar yet new audience. Being able to garner and meet so many new fans both online and in person through my performances is one of the best privileges I&#x27;ve been able to experience after releasing ikaw, ikaw, ikaw, and it has definitely influenced how I produce and write my new songs (both in English &amp; Tagalog) to fit the so-called ‘sound’ my new audience knows me for.”</p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">After spending countless months listening to and consuming <strong>OPM</strong>, <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong>, along with his co-producers <strong><u>Dominic</u></strong> and <strong><u>Timothy</u></strong>, revisited <strong><u>“SA AKIN,”</u></strong> and the rest, as they say, is history. “I knew <strong>&#x27;SA AKIN&#x27;</strong> had to be more than just a school project demo. Not to mention, I was also planning to put it in my upcoming album, which included me really exploring new soundscapes and songwriting styles that were very different from the demo. What came out of those sessions is a track that carries the story and core of an OPM song but is fused with production techniques and textures that are derived from the sounds of my upcoming album.”</p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">While <strong><u>“SA AKIN”</u></strong> serves as a personal statement on its own, it also offers listeners an early preview of <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong>’s forthcoming second studio album, which is scheduled for release sometime in September this year. Developed over the past year and a half, the 12-track project promises to further expand his musical identity through new sonic textures and a more intimate style of storytelling. </p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify"><strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> adds, “Lots of hard work, soul, and passion have been poured into this project, and we&#x27;re looking to do more shows in the Philippines for the album as well, and I sure hope nobody misses it because these coming songs are more than just earworms—they&#x27;re stories that you might resonate with one way or another, and I wouldn&#x27;t want to miss seeing them live.” </p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify"><strong><u>Leo Matias</u></strong>, professionally known as <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong>, is a multifaceted singer-songwriter and producer who hails from Singapore’s emerging music scene. With an ever-growing curiosity and dedication to music, the 21-year-old Filipino’s musical journey displays his unabated pursuit of developing his craft.  </p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">Drawing inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences spanning genres and styles, <strong><u>Leo</u></strong> sculpts a sound that transcends auditory boundaries. Imbued with a sense of honesty and vulnerability, he translates his life’s intricacies into every word he pens. Leo’s commitment to authenticity sets him apart not just as a songwriter but also as a storyteller adept at creating resonance with his audience.</p><div style="text-align:justify"><br/></div><p style="text-align:justify">As he continues to evolve his artistry, <strong><u>ICEBOX</u></strong> remains unwavering in refining his art, positioning himself to leave a significant mark on Asia’s music landscape.</p>

<p><i>The Singapore-based Filipino singer-songwriter embraces his heritage in a deeply personal Tagalog release that explores love, loss, and closure. </i></p>

ICEBOX Revisits OPM Roots with Emotional Single "SA AKIN" - One Music PH

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ICEBOX Revisits OPM Roots with Emotional Single "SA AKIN" - One Music PH

One Music PH

Published August 01, 2026 12:25 PM PHT

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SA AKIN

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