A bright future awaits Wynn

One of the youngest finalists in the first Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song songwriting competition, Wynn Andrada, 19, looks like he can have a future in acting in youth-oriented shows, what with his fresh-faced, boy-next-door looks.

That may be the case, but the student of the Asian Institute of Distance Education (where he is taking up Political Science) seems deadset on building a career in music. After the P-Pop competition in February 2013, he spent several months writing songs, and by May, had signed up with Star Records. It actually seemed like a foregone conclusion, because even during the competition, people were already saying that Wynn stood a good chance of being signed up by a recording label since his sound is highly commercial and easy to market. The fact that he’s young makes it even easier for him to connect with the mostly young CD-buying, music-loving audience.

Recently, Wynn met with the entertainment press to formally announce the release of his self-titled debut. Among the tracks included in the album is his Himig Handog song entry Tamang Panahon; it also includes a revival of Vehnee Saturno’s Sana Kahit Minsan, Ako’y Sa’yo, Ika’y Akin, Sa May Bintana, Akin Ka Na Lang and the carrier single, Dito Ka Lang Sa Puso Ko. There is even a song written by no less than Ryan Cayabyab (Sa May Bintana). The album also comes packaged with the minus-one tracks of the songs.

However — and considering that Wynn is a songwriter — it’s hard to miss the fact that the carrier single is a song that he did not write himself (it is written by Arnie Mendaros). But Wynn says that ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether he writes the songs or doesn’t. Just because he is a songwriter doesn’t mean that he has to write every single song in his album. Right now, he is focused on being a singer, and that means being the best one he can be. “Para sa akin, OK lang naman po ‘yun na hindi ako ‘yung nagsulat. Ang mas importante sa akin,” he says, “ay makanta ko ng maayos ang kanta.”

That doesn’t also mean he is putting his songwriting dreams aside. It is the dream of every songwriter to be given the chance to interpret a song he wrote. It’s why he joined Himig Handog to find a showcase for his music. “Kahit nakapag-release na ako ng album, tuloy pa rin naman ang pagsulat ko ng kanta,” says Wynn. “Sa ngayon, meron pa din akong mga ginagawa. Dito naman sa album, halimbawa, sa carrier single, ‘yung Dito Ka Lang sa Puso Ko, I shared some ideas din sa songwriter.”

Wynn dreams of one day becoming both a singer and songwriter. Others, like Gary Valenciano — who Wynn considers a major musical influence — have done it before him, so he knows it could work. “I think pwede pong pagsabayin kung may chance,” he says. “Siguro ‘yung mga ibang kanta na naisulat ko, sa next album.”

He’s also not closing his doors to a possible acting career. “Mas priority ang singing career ngayon, pero siyempre, interested din po ako umarte. Pero kung dadaan naman sa acting workshops, OK lang naman din po sa akin,” says Wynn.

For now, though, it really is his music that he is giving his full attention to. He gave his album his all, and he wants to see it succeed, not just for himself, but for all the people who’ve supported him since the beginning so that his dream could come true. “I put my heart and soul into this album. It’s for everyone who’s in love, longing to be loved, and those who just want to cherish the feeling of special romance,” says Wynn. “I dedicate it to everyone who has supported me throughout Himig Handog because if not for them, my dream of becoming a recording artist would not happen.”