For many emerging bands, finding an audience can take years. For Filipino indie pop band It All Started In May, the journey began with a handful of familiar OPM songs shared online. Their TikTok covers of classics such as Hotdog’s “Manila” and Parokya ni Edgar’s “Your Song” helped introduce the group to a wider audience before they had even released their first original single.
In today’s digital entertainment landscape, where audiences can discover everything from new music to platforms such as Jiligames through online channels, visibility can open unexpected doors for emerging creators. For It All Started In May, and that visibility became a starting point for something bigger: moving from familiar covers to original music while developing a sound that combines the warmth of ’70s Manila music with a modern indie pop approach.
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How It All Started In May Began
The name of the band provides information about where it comes from. It All Started In May was established in May 2024 and consists of five people from Cavite. The members of the band include Red with vocals and guitar, Jai with keyboard, JP with bass and vocals, Pau with guitar and vocals, and Mikee with drums.
After starting out as a band, they gained popularity by giving their interpretation of famous Filipino songs. They became popular on TikTok, posting their covers of songs, especially the ones called “Manila” and “Your Song,” at the beginning of 2025. All that allowed them to get an audience that was interested in hearing their originals.
From Familiar Covers to “O’ Kay Tamis”
In May 2025, the band It All Started In May launched “O’ Kay Tamis,” which was their original first single with Universal Records. The single gives fans their first glimpse of the band’s songwriting and musical style beyond their cover songs.
The song shows the band’s capability to combine nostalgic sensibilities and modern execution. Their music draws influences from the music and style of the 1970s but comes across in an indie pop package.
Soon after, the debut made headway on different streaming sites. “O’ Kay Tamis” was included in Spotify Philippines’ New Music Friday and Fresh Finds Philippines playlists.
Building Their Own Sound
After the successful debut single of the band “O’ Kay Tamis,” the word was out, and the new releases followed. Their second release, “Pasado,” in June 2025, elaborated on the state of knowing somebody at a distance and wondering if you are good enough for them even though the song had an upbeat sound.
Next, the group came out with “Manila,” the official version of the Hitdog composition. This song had already benefited them, as many people online had noticed the band since then, generating many people online had noticed the band since then, which generated interest in their music.
In the later months of 2025, the group continued to expand its catalog by releasing the song “Naaalala” along with its music video, which further confused the song “Naaalala” and its music video that confused things more for the fans.
A New Chapter in 2026
The group It All Started In May began its career in 2026, releasing a plethora of songs that were widely accepted by its fans. During the year they released songs like “Paraiso” and “Di Ko Man Masambit,” the latter In 2026, they released songs like “Paraiso” and “Di Ko Man Masambit,” with the latter debuting on May 29. on May 29, 2026.
This date was significant since May was also the month of the group’s second anniversary, which they decided to celebrate with a concert organized in Quezon City. As a result, “Di Ko Man Masambit” appeared on lists of new songs in the Philippines’ Spotify service and had also been subsequently added to other playlists.
This event indicates the fact that the band made much progress during the period of its existence. The band went from making covers of OPM songs in the beginning of its career to becoming well-known original song creators and live performers.
More Than Where It Started
The tale of “It All Started In May” ultimately explores what happens after an audience engages with a band through a shared experience.
The TikTok covers have provided the public with a reason to become more attentive to their songs, while their original compositions gave the audience something to follow. By using inspiration from traditional Filipino music and creating music in the style of indie pop, the band managed to create one-of-a-kind tunes that combine the past and the present.
Even though the band is still very far away from achieving their goals, with their new releases until 2026, everything suggests that the formative years of It All Started In May were just the beginning.
