Maki recalls humble beginnings, turns emotional during send-off.

June 11 ------ Before Maki takes on his “Kolorcoaster” Southeast Asia tour, he took a moment to remember where it all started. The Filipino singer hosted an exclusive “Pink Room” farewell fan meet at the Quezon Club in Solaire North before starting his Southeast Asia tour, which begins on June 13 in Singapore and continues to Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 14.

The intimate gathering drew fans who had been with him throughout his journey, and the night quickly turned into something more personal than a typical pre-tour event. Maki opened with “Kahel Na Langit” before performing “Kailan,” “Namumula,” and “Abelyana.”

Early in the night, he acknowledged how rare the setup felt. “Ngayon lang ulit tayo nag-organize ng ganito,” he told the crowd. The venue’s intimate atmosphere brought him back to his earliest days in music: bar gigs, sparse crowds, modest stages, and a career that was only just beginning. He said that memory never gets old. “This setup really reminds me of how we started. ’Yung mga bar gigs. It really humbles me every time I remember our beginnings,” he said.

Maki was also vocal about what the fans in the room meant to him, making clear that their presence carries more weight than any streaming milestone or paycheck. “I’m so happy na nakikita ko ’yung mga faces niyo. You guys are the product of our hard work. Hindi lang ’yung streams, hindi lang ’yung pera,” he said. He added that seeing his fans in person is what keeps him grounded. “Whenever we see you guys, du’n ko nare-realize na we’re doing a great job. So every time we see you guys sa mga concerts, it really means a lot to us — especially your faces. Familiar na sa’kin talaga.”

The night took an emotional turn during his performance of “Dilaw,” with Maki visibly moved mid-song. The crowd responded by chanting his name. Once he composed himself, he spoke directly to his fans. “I hope my music gives you a little comfort every time,” he said. “At least alam kong hindi ako mag-sstop. Marami pa tayong pupuntahan, tama?” He also credited “Saan?” as the song that opened the most doors for him, leading to opportunities and plane rides he had not anticipated. He then ended the thought on a lighter note. “Hopefully, makabili na ako ng kotse ko. Kung meron lang akong sasakyan. Meron ako, pero hot wheels.”

Source: news.abs-cbn.com