By now, both loyal fans and casual audiences have grown accustomed to Ely Buendia’s boundless creativity. The iconic frontman has proven once again that his artistry knows no bounds, this time stepping into acting with remarkable conviction. Earlier this year, Buendia appeared in Pandamlagan (2025), a full-length period film featured at Cinemalaya, the country’s most prestigious independent film festival. His performance in the film reflected the same emotional depth that runs through his latest musical work, particularly his single Kandarapa.
Kandarapa marks the third single from Buendia’s latest solo album Method Adaptor, a 10-track introspective record born from deeply personal narratives. The album explores themes of vulnerability, growth, and self-reflection, and with the release of the Kandarapa music video, Buendia opens yet another chapter in his evolving artistic journey.
Produced by Buendia under his label Offshore Music, the Kandarapa music video was crafted as a true passion project. Directed by Gada Nyssa Zayco, one of Offshore Music’s in-house creatives, the video is a striking fusion of emotion and imagery. “When I first heard Kandarapa, I felt the courage behind it,” shares Zayco. “It takes a certain kind of bravery to start a song by admitting something isn’t okay before any instrument even begins. I wanted the visuals to feel like a dream you’re half-aware of, caught between wanting to wake up and being trapped within it.”
While Zayco has long been part of Offshore Music’s creative team, producing photos, videos, and visual materials for its roster, her directorial work has already drawn attention. She previously helmed the music video for Pinkmen’s Di Pa Rin Sapat (Ang Sahod), a hard-hitting visual statement that mirrors the struggles of the working class through gritty, guerrilla-style imagery and political symbolism.
For Kandarapa, Zayco took a different approach, leaning into a more art house aesthetic. She played with contrasting colors, metaphorical props, and recurring ocean imagery to express the song’s cyclical themes. “They all echo what it feels like to live through cycles,” she explains.
Despite her growing experience, Zayco admits that working with Buendia carried a unique weight. “This project means a lot to me, not just because I’m still fairly new to filmmaking, but because it’s my first time collaborating with someone of Ely’s stature,” she says. “He gives you space to create, yet challenges you to see things from a deeper place. I used to see him as someone almost unreachable, a legend whose work defined generations.”
Zayco recalls that Buendia’s trust in her was what guided her through the creative process. His openness and faith in her vision became the foundation for a collaboration that blends raw honesty with artistry, an embodiment of what Kandarapa truly represents: courage, connection, and the beauty of confronting one’s truth.
