It is only through the power wielded by true musicians that words find rhythm and melodies and transcend into an authentic experience. Deeply rooted in music with a rich bloodline of fellow enthusiasts, 25-year-old Jenzen Guino has embraced the art of storytelling through harmonies and lyrics since childhood. Music has since then molded into what to him became the art of musical storytelling until it was his turn to share his story on his own.

Truly embedded in a typical Filipino household, Guino’s family shares unique harmony when it comes to music. He absorbed this very love of music from his family and close relatives with the tradition of karaoke sessions, which he saw as one of his core foundations as a musical wonder.

“Earliest memory ko talaga with my family is connected sa music, lalo na sa side ni Papa—si Lolo, Lola, pati mga Titos and Titas. [Kung] may isang bagay kaming pag kakasunduan bukod sa food, yun ang music. Kaya bata pa lang ako, exposed na ako sa music, at naging bonding namin ang pagkanta sa karaoke. Yun ang naging training ground ko sa pag kanta.

Since then, Guino saw no limits in finding himself entering the world of music. Starting out posting soulful covers online through the pandemic, a growing fanbase quickly sprouted from it. From there, something awakened in him that something he fully embraced as a child could also be an avenue for him to be part of its magic. His love for the music brought out more creativity within his art as he also integrated the modern virtual landscape by posting numerous videos serenading people through an online web-chatting platform.

Crown, Ha.Mu. Pinstriped shirt, East of Eden. Mesh shirt (worn underneath), beaded pants, Antonina. Photographed by Chris Cantos.

He recalls, “Simula po nung nag-viral kami as a group doing covers, doon ko nakita sa sarili ko na ito talaga yung gusto kong maging career balang araw. Madalas ko ring piliin ang music over other things na ginagawa ko.”

He has since found himself diving deeper into his craft, creating covers that found a growing community of supporters, until he decided to take things into greater heights by putting out original music.

He continues, “Katulad noong pandemic, wala akong magawa sa bahay, to ease the anxiety na binibigay ng pandemic, doon ako nag-decide gumawa ng YouTube account at gumawa ng covers or vlogs. Yung paggawa ng covers, yun ang naging avenue ko para libangin yung sarili ko that time. Eventually, nakita ko rin na unti-unting nag-grow yung followers through covers and vlogs and somehow nakatulong sa family ko [using the platform]. Hanggang sa tumagal, mas nag-focus ako sa music.”

This very dedication allowed him to grow throughout his journey, as he improved not just his vocal ability, but also navigating the use of technical equipment needed to bring more quality in his music. His hunger for continuous growth easily demonstrated his full embrace towards becoming the next musical sensation. 

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam, kasi bawat song na nagagawa ko — original man o cover — nabibigay ko ‘yung best ko, at sobrang nae-enjoy ko rin siyang gawin.”

Denim jacket, Ha.Mu. Shirt, Blanc Nue. White button-down shirt (worn underneath), Uniqlo. Striped pants, East of Eden. Photographed by Chris Cantos.

In making his own music, inspiration never drew too far to find from other artists that defined our music taste. In his case, his biggest inspiration came from another viral wonder turned musical icon, Justin Bieber. The big Belieber that he is, then later on finding similar trajectories at the start of their careers, he believes shares how the global musician sparked his drive to take on the music journey himself, daydreaming of success in hit-making and bringing the same inspiration towards others as well. He shares with a smile, “Justin Bieber fan na po talaga ako ever since. Aside from listening to the old songs na lagi kong naririnig at pinapakanta ng family ko, masasabi ko po talaga na simula nung napakinggan ko yung mga kanta niya, pumasok na sa isip ko yung thought na, ‘Sana ako din, balang araw, makagawa ng mga ganitong kanta.’

Of course, he also found inspirations from local artists like J. Roa, Jay R, and TJ Monterde through their soulful rhythms and songs that can easily sweep you off your feet. These aural proclivities has found themselves influencing his own sound, in any shape or form. 

“[Doon] ko rin na-realize na, ‘Why not gawin ko ito sa paraan na maipapakilala ko naman ang sarili ko sa kanta?’ Kaya natuto akong gumawa ng sarili kong music — mga kantang kaya kong i-express the way I want, sa style at damdaming ako mismo ang nagdadala.”

Archive embroidered shirt, Kelvin Morales. Scarf, Blanc Nue. Pants, Ha.Mu. Photographed by Chris Cantos.

Testing the waters on original music, he drew experiences from anecdotes of life, love, and hurt from himself and close friends. Fully committed to not just being the main subject of his own stories, he stands on the importance of telling the stories of others, signifying the universal experience of magic of storytelling through music. After all, music is and has always been a shared experience, a universal truth that trickles down to the personal, where we find ourselves deeply immersed into the songs we dance, laugh, fall in love, and cry to. 

And with his commitment to tell a story comes the debut of his first original song “Hangganan” in 2022. Depicting a story of reminiscence and longing to grow from falling out of love, his first pride in songwriting came from immersing himself from stepping on the shoes of the subject in the song, letting him drive the rest of the song in fully depicting heartbreak in a raw acoustic tone. He notes, “The song is about a relationship na nagkaroon ng hangganan, and isa sa mga favorite lines ko dun ay yungIkaw ang sumuko, ikaw ang nawala, ikaw ang napagod sa ating dalawa.’ Inilagay ko po yung sarili ko sa situation na wala na ako magagawa kundi bumitaw, kasi in reality tapos na talaga ang lahat.”

Being the artist that he is, Guino is always finding to satisfy his thirst for growth as a songwriter from collaborating with fellow musicians like Gab Tagadtad. In a new releases “Rosas” and “Marupok”, he found a new world of possibilities in the way he uses his craft in telling narratives he feel strongly for and about. He divulges, “Na-inspire akong mas maging open sa bawat experience ko sa buhay, at ilagay ‘yun wholeheartedly sa kanta. Hindi lang siya basta lyrics for me, part siya ng buhay ko kasama ang stories ng mga tao sa paligid na gusto kong i-share sa mga listeners ko.”

Blazer, Edwin Tan. Deconstructed shirt, Proudrace. Velvet pants, Antonina. Eyewear, Sunnies Studios. Boots, Zara. Photographed by Chris Cantos.

Finding the drive to push through in the middle of the climb can be tough when you have little to no support from people around you. In his continuous climb, he fully recognizes the help and support he received finding new home in EMI Records and UMG Philippines. This led him to bring his music out of the confines of the four corners of his home’s makeshift recording studio for his loved covers and select originals, now with wings to step into an all new realm in his musical journey.

He opens up, “They’ve given me experiences na hindi ko magagawa kung mag-isa lang ako. Lahat ng kailangan ko when it comes to music, sinusuportahan nila, at ramdam ko yung efforts nila sa bawat gig, event, at lalo na tuwing may music release ako. I’m really looking forward to working with them for a long time.”

As such, as he currently embraces the mellow beats that grasps the many dimensions of love and heartbreak that make up the DNA of the Jenzen Guino sound, he looks to explore different sounds and messages while also keeping his identity as a musician. As an artist, he continues his journey in experimenting new sounds by expanding his music taste from different artists, even ones outside of his usual listening space.

Sobrang grateful ako sa kung nasaan ako ngayon, pero sana, through my next songs, makuha ko yung big break na inaasam ko. Gustong-gusto ko talagang ma-share yung music ko sa lahat ng tao—dito sa Pilipinas at siyempre worldwide. Ang sarap talaga sa pakiramdam kapag yung mga tao sumasabay sa’yo habang kumakanta ka. Nakakakilig sobra.”

Patchwork denim jacket, Ha.Mu. Archive embroidered shirt, Kelvin Morales. Scarf, Blanc. Nue. Pants, Antonina. Photographed by Chris Cantos.

With only five years since his first step towards the music industry, Jenzen Guino is a testament of where grit, passion, and a limitless worldview and vision bring an artist on a mission. Early on in his career as an emerging artist, he already encapsulates the heart of a true musician by believing in his musical trademark, while also allowing himself to venture many paths in his journey. As someone who once fell in love with music as a kid, he now takes on the other side of his journey in hopes to break the music scene and be an inspiration to many kids eager to be inspired that he once was.

Now, with a string of recent releases backed by a new label and artistic home that’s set out to harness his inherent flair for telling stories through heartfelt hymns and catchy melodies, along with lyricism that’s reflective of his youth and with it, his universe of truth, Guino marks himself ready for take off and onto higher ground with a crescendo of new pursuits from upcoming new hits and a promise to shift gears and take his artistry to new, greater heights.

Produced and made in partnership with EMI Records PH and UMG Philippines
Creative, fashion, beauty direction, interview, and additional text: Leo Balante
Photography and art direction by Chris Cantos
Beauty by Lars Cabanacan
With fashion by AntoninaHa.Mu , East of Eden Blanc Nue Kelvin Morales, Edwin Tan, and Proudrace
Creative Partner: Studio LAJ
Editorial and multimedia associates: Christian Almendral, Czairus Ronquillo, and Ash Pino

UMG PHILIPPINES INC.

Managing Director: Enzo Valdez

A&R and Marketing Director: Victoria Malong

Commercial & Digital Strategy Director: Pauline Naomi Bonifacio

Head of A&R: Tiny Corpuz

Head of Artist Management: Joe-nel Garcia

Head of Marketing Services: Armi Jayco

Label Head – EMI Records PH: Bel Certeza

Marketing Manager: DM Pedracio

Creative Supervisor: Paolo Manalac

Marketing Executive: Li Marie Meso

Senior Executive – Artist Strategy and Development: May Pearl Enejosa

Artist Development Executive: Paula Jean Amor

Admin Assistant: Kevin Mactal