Kean Cipriano opens up about Callalily departure, band tensions

Kean Cipriano has opened up about his decision to leave Callalily in 2022.

In an interview in "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda" on Thursday, the OPM star said he reached a point where he wanted to explore opportunities beyond the band.

"During that time, Tito Boy, in 2022, I felt like there was something else I wanted to do," he said in Filipino.

He also admitted that the members of Callalily had begun pursuing different things, which contributed to his decision to move on.

"I think it's safe to say that, at that time, we were already doing different things. So for me, I thought, 'No, I want to do something else,'" he said.

The actor and singer also admitted that he and his bandmates were no longer on good terms when he left.

Looking back, he acknowledged that their relationship had become strained after 17 years together.

"It wasn't happy anymore at that time. There was tension, there was friction," he said.

"Being in a band for 17 years, you think you know each other enough. You think you really know everyone, but of course, things change. Times change," he added.

According to Kean, one of the unfortunate aspects of their split was that their issues were not resolved through a private conversation among the band members.

"Instead of talking about it behind closed doors and, as bandmates, discussing it, what happened was there was suddenly a social media circus," he said.

"I feel bad that it happened that way because we could have talked about it," he said.

When asked about his relationship with his former bandmates today, Kean said they remain civil, although they have yet to fully reconnect.

"Callalily became a business, right? There are royalties there, whatever is involved with the band, so of course, you have to fix those things," Kean said. "That's it. In terms of talking or being OK, we haven't really talked," he said.

Following Kean's departure in June 2022, Callalily changed their name to LILY. Months later, they introduced their new vocalist, Joshua Bulot.

In November 2025, drummer Lem Belaro left the band.

Callalily was formed in 2006 and is best known for the hit song "Magbalik." —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News