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Not all bands survive the test of time--but Freestyle isn't just surviving, they're thriving. More than two decades since they burst onto the OPM scene with soulful anthems that became generational soundtracks, the band continues to reinvent themselves while staying true to the heartfelt music that made them icons.

With classics like “Before I Let You Go,” “This Time,” “So Slow,” “Once in a Lifetime,” “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?” (with Pops Fernandez), and many more under their belt, Freestyle has secured their place in music history. Their soulful sound, heartfelt lyrics, and electrifying performances propelled them to superstardom and made them a staple in every Filipino's playlist.

Through the years, the band has released four studio albums and three live albums, cementing their status as one of the country's top musical acts. And despite their long journey since 1996, Freestyle remains as relevant and beloved as ever.

Today, the band--now composed of Ian Tan, Gibson Viduya, IJ Garcia, Buoy Manalo, and their driving force and lead vocalist Top Suzara--is ready to write a new chapter.

They are set to headline “It's About Time” on September 19, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City, where they will also debut their brand-new single “Surrender You,” written and composed by Top himself.

“Conceptually, noong wala pang title, pinag-uusapan namin, 'What can we call the show?' Naging it's about time na lang kasi, of course, kapag sinabi nating 'it's about time,' buti na lang mangyayari na. That's the automatic interpretation.

"But really, it alludes lang to the fact na lahat ng ginagawa natin, lahat ng iniisip natin, it's really about time. It's always been about time whether the time that you spend here or the time you're not spending here or the time we hope we had more of, the time that we cherish. Everything is about the time, that became the whole thread for what's intended for the 19th.”

Fans can expect a night of nostalgia and new beginnings as the band introduces their latest track “Surrender You,” written by none other than frontman Top Suzara.

IJ (keyboards, musical director) said, “Siyempre, you'll be hearing the OG titles of Freestyle. Reimagined din because of our new sound. Siyempre, we have to keep up din with fans, so we updated all of those. Of course, you'll be hearing our new releases. So far, we've had already five songs. Even on that day, our latest single, 'Surrender You,' we'll be performing it for the first time live.

“Siyempre, marami ring pakulo doon. We'll be serenading our guests with certain special medleys, our salute to OPM. Hindi ko lang masabi lahat, pero it's gonna be a really fun show. Maraming surprises.”

Adding even more excitement, fellow '90s powerhouse Neocolours will join as a special guest act, making “It's About Time” a must-watch celebration of OPM excellence.

Produced by Full House Theater Company and NY Entourage Productions, tickets are now available at TicketWorld and the Newport World Resorts Box Office.

On keeping up with the times in OPM

For fans, the big question is how Freestyle managed to stay at the top of their game for so long.

Top , who left the band in 2005, recalled, “For some crazy reason or divine plan, nahulog sa palad ko ang Freestyle ulit. I had to think about what I'm gonna do. That's when I thought, na it's in my hands again for reasons. Maybe I'll pick up where I left off, which is all about writing songs and sharing original music.

“Because it's about writing songs, I would say that it's the songs. Apart from the songs, the only things that really factor in a band standing the test of time, number one, the commitment and professionalism, of course.

'Tapos, yung relationships. If those fall off the table, I think it's the songs that help an artist stay and stand the test of time. It's what makes an artist an artist who is known for songs that have become or are becoming classics. Yung puwedeng pinapakinggan mo yung songs nila, and until ngayon it still resonates with you. So, I think it's the songs.”

Although the band is best known for their romantic R&B hits, Top noted that Freestyle's storytelling through music has significantly evolved.

“This next song that we're releasing is sad, and it's not romantic. The previous song was a romantic song, very positive. The first song na we released together was also ballad, nagkataon lang. But the second song that we released was not a ballad, and it's not about romantic relationships. It's about love but all encompassing, para sa daigdig natin. The title is 'Let Love Win.'

I guess perspectives are changing. Dati, wala naman kaming concept, na gawa tayo ng kanta about sa best friend mo na type mo pero hindi mo alam kung paano sasabihin... Those kinds of stories, but it's always a human experience that we try to impart.”

For their new song titled “Surrender You,” Freestyle tells a story of despair.

“It's about somebody who is in a situation where he or she is almost losing somebody to sickness. When you say, how do I surrender you, wala kang sakit pero yung mahal mo sa buhay may sakit. Siya mismo, ayaw ka niya bigyan ng problema, tuwing nakikita ka nila nakangiti siya sa 'yo.

“Kaya 'Surrender You' kasi ayaw niyang bumitaw, gusto niyang lumaban, ayaw niya siyang bitawan. Hindi niya ma-imagine ang sarili niya na wala siya. Parang surreal kasi, 'Sa akin nangyayari. Ang alam ko lang nangyayari sa ibang tao, pwede rin pala sa akin 'to. Totoo bang mawawala siya.' The more complete phrase is 'how do I surrender you because I don't want to do it.'”

Top then reiterated that like their other hits, “I think, naobserbahan lang namin, if it's a song from a human experience, na everybody is familiar with, that's where the connection stays. Di ba, may pinagsamahan tayo sa awit kasi alam n'yo yun, napagdaanan n'yo o baka may nasabi kami na di n'yo masabi.

“This song is something that nobody wants to talk about. I'm sure you would know somebody very close to you or knows somebody who is in that situation, mahirap. We all know how to grieve kapag wala na. But you don't talk about the grieving, the despair, and helplessness while you're fighting. The song is open-ended. It just speaks of the loved one who is hoping ang praying na hindi umabot sa kinatatakutan niya.”

Watch for the debut of “Surrender You” at It's About Time on September 19 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City.

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