Rising Filipino singer-songwriter, Mona Gonzales, also known by her stage name ‘Mona’, pens five-track album, ‘Love, Mona’.
The self-composed debut EP by the Tiktok sensation turned recording artist is inspired by the handwritten letter-culture from the 1990s which Mona wishes to bring back in the modern digital era where messages are simply sent through online platforms.
Tackling love in all its forms, the full release of ‘Love, Mona’ is on December 13, 2024.
“This album talks about the many facets of love and connection with other people. Each song represents different emotions and experiences,” said Mona.
Boy From The 90s
Leading the album is the easy-listening playful and nostalgic title track ‘Boy From The 90s’, a song that encompasses the admiration for someone who embodies the charm and simplicity of the 1990s era. Released on November 22, the song marks Mona’s comeback that spotlights the biggest inspiration behind the album.
Lapit Sa Akin
The intimate retro vibe of the second track, ‘Lapit Sa Akin’ mirrors the magnetic pull between two people and the overwhelming feeling of wanting something or someone so badly. Topped with smooth and sensual musical layers, the song was released on November 29.
Luntiang Mundo
Written as a gift for her friend, ‘Luntiang Mundo’ is a soft pop tune that shares hope and encouragement, inspiring listeners to have their own version of ‘luntiang mundo’ that will serve as a gentle reminder to take things slow and reflect as they navigate the challenges of life. This track is set to be released on December 6.
Sandstorm
As powerful as a sandstorm, this dark pop-funk song is all about getting caught up in a love that dances between light and dark. Together with ‘Tayo Na Ba’, ‘Sandstorm’ will be available on various streaming platforms by December 13.
Tayo Na Ba
Unleashing her creativity and imagination when it comes to the concept of love, ‘Tayo Na Ba’ is a mix of different types of instruments that reflects the ups and downs of falling in love, but still ending up in a bright and positive mood.
According to Mona, she wants the listeners, especially her fans whom she calls by the endearment ‘Mooncakes’, to listen to each song from the album and pick those that they can strongly relate to.
“I want to take the listeners on a journey through heartfelt moments, vulnerability, and self-discovery, all wrapped in different genres, catchy melodies and relatable lyrics. It’s about celebrating love in all its forms, whether it’s romantic, platonic, or self-love reminding everyone that love is a powerful force that shapes our lives and stories.”
Road to Stardom
To celebrate the release of ‘Love, Mona’, the singer-songwriter is set to hit both the local and global stage this December.
Representing the Philippines for the second season of Asian Top Band, Mona is currently going through intensive rehearsals for the Asian-wide group competition collaboration launched in 2022 by Gwangju MBC, one of the leading television and radio broadcasting companies in South Korea.
Happening on December 7, the event, which will be participated by Vietnam, Mongolia, Philippines, Kazakhstan, and Korea, aims to ‘discover and feature talented Asian musicians’ and ‘promote Asian friendship and peace’.
Following the momentum of Mona’s passion is an album showcase on December 14, at Viva Café in Cubao, Quezon City, dedicated to her fans and everyone who has expressed their love and support for her throughout the years.
Tickets are available by messaging ShowBT Philippines’s official Facebook page, ranging from PHP 800.00 to PHP 1,200.00. Fans can also top-up an additional PHP 500.00 for early entry, soundcheck, photo session, and signed poster benefits.
Before ‘Love, Mona’
While Mona is proud of her roots as a content creator that gave her more than 19 million followers on TikTok and counting, Mona hopes to conquer the local music scene with her overflowing passion and creativity for music.
Proving her immense global potential as a P-Pop star, she dropped her debut single, ‘Always Remember’ in 2022 to mark the beginning of her music career after training and being managed under ShowBT Philippines.
It was then followed by ‘Tagahanga’ in 2023, a song inspired by her point of view as a fan.
