The clock winds back as Calein breathes fresh vitality into their classic track “Oras” six years post-release. Known for crafting emotionally resonant indie anthems like “Umaasa” and “Someone,” the Filipino alternative rock outfit has delivered a carefully remastered edition. This updated release offers a fuller, crisper sonic landscape, giving listeners pristine modern audio quality without sacrificing any of the track’s original poignant charm.
When “Oras” originally debuted in March 2020, Calein was just hitting their stride in the local scene. To celebrate, they hosted a packed showcase at Social House in Makati, supported by sets from Unique Salonga, Arthur Nery, and One Click Straight, alongside guest appearances from fellow musicians like Blaster. For frontman and songwriter John Dale “JD” Mustacho, the night remains an unforgettable milestone. “I was surprised that so many people came to support us,” he recalls.
Just days after the song’s original release, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed live music venues and derailed global industry operations [Calein gives ‘Oras’ new life six years after its original release …].
Reflecting on the abrupt shift, JD notes that the band was forced to move their marketing plans entirely to digital platforms, stating, “Everybody was shocked and we all had to adjust. We didn’t really get to promote it properly, so most of what we did became online content.” Drummer Benjo Criste echoes this sentiment, remembering how their early momentum was frozen: “The fire was there, but when the pandemic happened, everything was cut short.”
Because the track’s initial rollout was cut short, the band views this remastered version as a second chance for “Oras” to find its audience. “I wanted to give the song new life and give the band a clear path this time,” JD says. Bassist Oliver Salaysay shares this sentiment, noting that the timing aligns perfectly for a fresh start. “Because the promotion was stopped before, this feels like the perfect time to reintroduce the song.”
With audio engineer Jan Aries Agadier Fuertez steering the remaster, the new edition delivers superior clarity and width while keeping the original composition untouched [Calein gives ‘Oras’ new life six years after its original release …]. “We didn’t change anything about the song because we wanted to keep its identity and emotions,” JD emphasizes. Oliver points out the immediate differences in the new mix, concluding, “the vocals are crisper, the sound is wider. It feels clearer.”
“Oras” (Remastered) Artwork (credit: Calein)
Watch “Oras” (Remastered) Lyric Video here
Listen to the song here
Deep down, “Oras” was born out of a classic tale of unrequited romance. JD penned the track following an evening where he invited his crush to a Calein show, intending to finally reveal his feelings—only to be crushed when she showed up alongside her boyfriend. “That was where the first line of the song came from,” he recalls.
Today, the track resonates with a completely different theme for the members of Calein. “Before, it was about someone else,” JD says of the chorus. “Now, it feels more like a hidden love for myself.” This deeply nostalgic sentiment is shared by Benjo, who adds that the track brings him back to an earlier chapter in his life: “When you listen to it and close your eyes, the music takes you back. It reminds you of your younger self.”
This remaster coincides with a brand-new chapter for Calein and its current three-piece lineup, consisting of frontman JD Mustacho, bassist Oliver Salaysay, and drummer Benjo Criste. “This version of Calein feels fresh and more mature,” JD says. “We have a clearer path now. But the sound, the heart, and the identity are still there.”
Oliver believes this rollout acts as a bridge to a new demographic, stating, “It’s perfect timing for those who haven’t heard Calein’s music yet.” Meanwhile, Benjo hopes the updated track inspires nostalgia and introspection among their original listeners: “I hope they remember how they felt the first time they heard it, and see how far they’ve come.”
Ultimately, Calein’s primary goal is for the music to evoke an emotional response from anyone who tunes in. “It doesn’t matter if it’s happiness or longing,” JD says. “As long as they feel something, that’s already the reward for us.”
