Six years after its original release, Filipino alternative rock band Calein is giving “Oras” another chance to connect with listeners through a remastered version that preserves the song’s emotional core while delivering greater clarity and sonic depth. Known for tracks such as “Umaasa” and “Someone,” the band revisits the song with a renewed perspective shaped by time, change, and personal growth.
Originally released in March 2020, “Oras” arrived as Calein was gaining momentum. The band marked the occasion with an intimate launch at Social House in Makati, featuring performances from fellow artists including Unique Salonga, Arthur Nery, and One Click Straight. Blaster and other musicians also joined the celebration.
For vocalist and songwriter John Dale “JD” Mustacho, the night remains a memorable milestone. “I was surprised that so many people came to support us,” he recalls.
Days later, the pandemic brought live events and much of the music industry to a standstill. “Everybody was shocked and we all had to adjust,” JD shares. “We didn’t really get to promote it properly, so most of what we did became online content.” Drummer Benjo Criste adds, “The fire was there, but when the pandemic happened, everything was cut short.”
A Second Chance For “Oras”
With the song’s original promotional run interrupted, Calein sees the remaster as an opportunity to bring “Oras” back into the spotlight. “I wanted to give the song new life and give the band a clear path this time,” JD says. Bassist Oliver Salaysay shares the sentiment, describing the release as the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the track.
Remastered by Jan Aries Agadier Fuertez, the new version retains the original recording and arrangement while enhancing its clarity, width, and overall sonic depth. “We didn’t change anything about the song because we wanted to keep its identity and emotions,” JD explains. Oliver adds, “The vocals are crisper, the sound is wider. It feels clearer.”
Listeners can watch the “Oras” (Remastered) lyric video and stream the song through the band’s official platforms.
From Unspoken Love To Self-Reflection
At its heart, “Oras” began with a story of unspoken affection. JD wrote the song after inviting someone he had a crush on to a Calein gig, hoping to confess his feelings. Instead, she arrived with her boyfriend. “That was where the first line of the song came from,” he recalls.
Over time, however, the song has taken on a more personal meaning. “Before, it was about someone else,” JD says of the chorus. “Now, it feels more like a hidden love for myself.”
For Benjo, listening to “Oras” brings back memories of his younger self. “When you listen to it and close your eyes, the music takes you back. It reminds you of your younger self.”
The remastered release also marks a new chapter for Calein, now composed of JD Mustacho on vocals and guitar, Oliver Salaysay on bass, and Benjo Criste on drums. JD describes the current lineup as fresh and more mature, with a clearer direction while retaining the band’s original sound, heart, and identity.
Oliver hopes the release will introduce Calein to listeners who may have missed the song in 2020, while Benjo hopes longtime fans will reflect on their own journeys since first hearing it.
Ultimately, the band wants “Oras” to continue resonating with people in whatever way feels personal to them. “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.”
About Calein
Calein is a Filipino alternative rock band known for emotionally driven songs about love, longing, and nostalgia. Best known for tracks such as “Umaasa” and “Someone,” the band currently consists of John Dale “JD” Mustacho on vocals and guitar, Oliver Salaysay on bass, and Benjo Criste on drums.
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