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Bryan Termulo, currently living in America, remains dedicated to his passion for creating music.

This year, the Filipino singer-songwriter released his song “Almost There,” his first attempt at producing country music.

Bryan was previously known in the country as the “Prince of Teleserye Theme Songs,” so what fans often heard from him were love songs.

With the song “Almost There,” Bryan said it felt like a dream he had as a child had come true.

“Jumping to another genre like country music, siguro noong bata pa ako, mahilig na akong kumanta ng country music. Common naman na yung mga songs na 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,' pero gustung-gusto ko yung mga ganung genre.

“Now that I am living in the United States, especially in Tennessee pa, yung influence at drive ko, 'Sige na nga, since I'm working naman as a freelance singer, I am producing my own songs, and I am the one funding my material as well, e di gawin ko na talaga yung gusto ko when it comes to genre of music, which is country music.

“I know na [hindi popular] ang mga Pinoy kasi mahilig sa love songs. Pero ako, sige, gusto ko na talagang gawin itong country music.”

He said he wrote the song during the pandemic, when, unexpectedly, his stay in America began.

Bryan recalled, “Moving into the United States was never a choice. Gusto ko lang talagang mag-try na kumanta sa Filipino community. It happened during the pandemic. So, wala akong choice kundi mag-stay lang ako sa bahay.

“May mga confirmed shows ako at that time. May dalawa lang na [natuloy] and the rest ay na-cancel na dahil sa COVID.

“So, nagawa ko siya dahil there were times na nag-doubt ako kung babalik pa ba ako sa Pilipinas or if hihintayin ko pa ba na maging okay ang sitwasyon. Until, na-compose ko na yung kanta.”

The song “Almost There” became an inspiration for Bryan because, according to him, “Parang all you have to do sometimes is just wait because it's almost there. Hanggang sa di ko na namalayaan na kung ano yung ginagawa ko sa Philippines, ginagawa ko na rin dito sa States.”

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Missing PH showbiz

Aside from being an independent singer-songwriter, Bryan also divides his time between his day job as a staff member at a museum. “I'm all-around. I'm tour guiding, doing admissions.”

Because of his flexible schedule, Bryan said he can perform not only in Tennessee but also in other places across America. He considers going live on TikTok as a rehearsal.

“Malaking bagay sa akin yung livestream, and I don't want to miss a week na wala akong performance,” he said.

During the pandemic, Bryan admitted that he lost interest in livestreaming.

“Parang nawalan din ako ng drive. [Naisip ko] siguro magiging full-time cashier na lang ako at gawin ko na lang talagang hobby itong pagla-livestream. Pero ngayon, baligtad na siya. Every week, nire-remind ko ang sarili ko na hindi, dapat at least sa TikTok live… dapat ite-treat ko rin siya na parang actual performance. Online nga lang ito pero may audience pa rin, may nanonood pa rin, 'tapos, laging galingan,” he shared.

Despite his stable standing as a music artist in America, Bryan said he has not lost interest in returning to showbiz in the Philippines.

The Pinoy Pop Superstar alumnus said, “I still want to pursue showbiz in the Philippines if you ask me. Siguro naghihintay lang ako ng tamang timing. I also know the people na puwede kong lapitan, but may mga shows pa ako rito.

Kahit ang tagal ko nang nawala sa Philippines, hindi ako nawawalan ng trabaho rito, sa awa ng Diyos.

For now, Bryan said he is open to invitations to perform at private events in the Philippines.

“Sana makabalik [sa showbiz] kasi nami-miss ko ring mag-perform sa TV and nami-miss ko rin usual na ginagawa ko sa Pilipinas.”

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