Keanna Mag Asks ‘Saan Ba Pupunta?’ As She Navigates Life with New EP

Only a few among the up-and-coming singer-songwriters capture the intricacies of youth quite like Keanna Mag. From her first single “to the bone” to being one of the talented roster from Vicor Music, to having a collaboration single titled “Lahat ng Bukas” with Cup of Joe — Keanna never failed to share her stories through her singles along with her evocative vocals.

Keanna has steadily carved out a distinct space for herself in the local scene with her fan-favorite singles like “Takipsilim” and “Walang Sigurado.” Now, she marks a massive milestone in her career with the release of her highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Saan Ba Pupunta?’.

For Keanna, the core question of the EP – “Saan Ba Pupunta?” is more than just a catchy phrase; it is a reflection of a lifelong inner dialogue.
“That line just stuck with me even after releasing [in “Sasabay”]. I resonated with it because all my life, I’ve had these questions about where should I go, what should I do next, or who should I be? [Because of that] I always try to control things, even when they’re not in my hands,” Keanna shares.

She opens up about how the constant cycle of planning and overthinking overshadowed the present moment: “I spent every second of my life planning and overthinking about my future that I forgot to be in the moment; to live, to pause, to breathe. I tend to compare myself and ask “when will it be my turn?” that I forget to celebrate and neglect my own accomplishments.”

Keanna shares that the creation of the EP was an organic evolution rather than a rigid blueprint. What started as individual releases with “Babalik” and “Sasabay,” it snowballed into a cohesive narrative about navigating life’s uncertainties.
Surely, collaborating closely with trusted peers made the process a full-circle experience. Keanna notes, “I’m grateful that I got to write and make songs with my friends, 12th Street, and my partner, Raphaell Ridao. They were some of the first people I met when I started being in the industry, so it’s a full-circle moment, and I’m happy they got to be with me on this journey.”

She also leaned on industry veterans for production, working alongside acclaimed producers, Jean Paul Verona and Migz Haleco, while visual artist Antoinette Tejada (@ankulitmoh) brought the project’s aesthetic to life through a seamless cover art collaboration.
As ‘Saan Ba Pupunta?’ EP leaves its listeners the feeling of spontaneous wanderlust, Keanna anchors the release with a thoughtfully sequenced tracklist, designed to guide listeners through emotional highs and introspective pauses. She started it with the new tracks like “Dulo,” the collaboration track with 12th street “Palaisipan,” “Hahanapin,” “Red Light,” and the previously released crowd-favorites with “Babalik” and “Sasabay.”

Among these, the track “Red Light” holds a specific structural purpose: “I wrote a song called “Red Light” specifically for this EP and placed it in the middle of the tracklist to remind listeners to pause and breathe for a moment in the middle of their journey, especially when they’re going through something.”

Meanwhile, “Sasabay” holds the deepest personal resonance for her, “because I’m blessed that I am surrounded by so many people who love and support me in everything that I do. It also makes my heart warm and fulfilled when people tell me how much my music helps them with their healing, because that is one of the main reasons why I started making music. I want people to find stillness in my art.”
Ultimately, Saan Ba Pupunta? EP serves as a comforting soundtrack for anyone trying to piece their life together. It challenges the pressure of having a strict timeline and encourages grace amidst confusion. As Keanna says, “I dedicate this EP to those who are figuring things out, taking the long way, and getting lost. I hope you find comfort in these songs and learn how to live with no regrets.”

Her ultimate takeaway for anyone questioning what comes next is simple yet liberating: “I realized while making this project that you don’t have to have it all figured out or have all the answers right away. Some things are not meant to be planned; you’ll just figure it out along the way. Sometimes, you just have to go with the wind and see where it takes you.”

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