Singer-composer Ron Jansen Solis has been living in New York City as a single gay guy for many years now, balancing his time between his finance job and his activities that keep his musical passion burning.
“Being single in a big city with four seasons has its pros and cons, but I guess I’ve gotten used to living life by myself in New York,” he volunteered. “Life just took on a dramatic shift because of the worldwide pandemic and I, like many others, constantly shift from being cool and relaxed to being cautious and careful. But all is good.”
Solis, who clarified that he is not closing any door on love and romance, spends most of his time at his Harlem home these days. It is almost the end of spring in that side of the world, and he looks forward to mapping out his musical plans for the coming weeks. “There’s a lot more activities to do in summer, unlike winter when it’s cold and gray and the mood usually is slow, melancholic and pensive.”
He gladly told us that he has already finished the videos for his first-ever visual music album. Included are the songs “Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Last Love Song,” both original compositions of Solis’ that made it to Himig Handog, a songwriting competition in Manila.
“Last Love Song” was originally performed by the boy group 17:28 and Heart Evangelista, while True Faith interpreted “Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak.”
“When I had a quick trip to the Philippines last year, I reconnected with Jonathan Manalo who heads the ABS-CBN music department. I proposed that we rearrange the music and record my own version of these songs. We also agreed that I make music videos in New York that can cater also to the LGBTQ+ community,” he said.
The visual music album will also include the songs and videos of “Ngayong Nandito Ka Na,” “Laging Ikaw” and “Sana Naman,” all original creations of his musically active mind. “Four of these music videos were shot during the different seasons in New York, and one song will feature four pairs of LGBTQ+couples—montage, interviews, musings, and many interesting aspects of their love stories. My good friend Ken Javines helped me shoot the videos,” he shared.
“We wanted to create a platform to inspire creativity, to encourage awareness, understanding and acceptance of the members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially in the Philippines. The album is set to be released this month, in time for the Pride celebrations in most parts of the world,” Solis said. The songs will be available in all digital streaming platforms via Ron Solis Music, and the beautifully shot and conceptualized videos can be viewed on Star Music’s YouTube channel.
Solis shared that he also composed, wrote and recorded the theme song of the soon-to-be-released Joel Lamangan movie Lockdown, produced by Jojo Barron, starring Paolo Gumabao and Max Eigenmann. It is titled “Sundan Mo,” and is about following the desires and dictates of one’s heart.
The once-shy boy who won a singing contest during his grade school days in Cavite City has truly gone a long way. He is out and proud of who is and the person that he has become, and remains grateful for the God-given gifts of voice and music.
“In the spirit of hope and love, in this happy month of Pride, I hope my songs can spread the message that we all live, laugh and love just as much as the next person, and that we all dream of a better, kinder and happier world just like everybody else,” he said.