Mark Carpio writes the ending he never expected in new EP, Huling Pag-ibig

OPM hitmaker Mark Carpio drops his highly anticipated new EP, Huling Pag-ibig—released under EMPIRE.PH Music and ONErpm. Marking a milestone in his 10-year career, the 4-track EP weaves themes of love, loss, and emotional closure into one cohesive sonic package. Both introspective and freeing, the project also serves as an ending to a well-loved music era—one that positioned Carpio as both a prominent balladeer of his generation and a gifted songwriter known for his poignant yet earnest storytelling.

With nearly 400 million streams on Spotify and a catalog of hits, Carpio continues to build on his strength as a reliable pop artist. His latest offering reinforces this reputation, presenting an introspective collection of songs that connects his music roots with present-day narratives.

Conceptually, Huling Pag-ibig is a continuation of Carpio’s earlier works: the optimistic yearning of “Hiling” and the romantic realization of “Kay Tagal.” This time, Carpio shifts the narrative and confronts the possibility that long-awaited love may not unfold as hoped. The result is a cohesive exploration of love’s evolution: from persistence to loss, heartbreak to acceptance. The intentional structure enables listeners to experience Huling Pag-ibig not merely as a collection of tunes but as a continuous emotional journey.

“This EP is the twist of that story,” explains the entertainment multi-hyphenate. “It asks, what if, after all that waiting, things didn’t turn out the way I hoped? Huling Pag-ibig is about that journey—fighting for love until your very last drop of hope and learning to let go when there’s nothing left.”

The EP’s emotional depth is matched by its meticulous songwriting, which has evolved over the course of ten years. Many of the songs started as unfinished ideas during the early stages of Mark Carpio’s career, only reaching its full potential later through personal reflection, lived experience, and shared stories of his fans. Through platforms like TikTok and his “Kape Tayo” series, the chart-topping solo artist helped empower his listeners to participate in the creative process, ultimately contributing to an EP that uniquely functions as a shared emotional experience.

All the tracks in the EP showcase a distinct style that adds up to the record’s emotionally rich sound. The title track, produced by RJ Pineda, draws inspiration from Adele’s sweeping ballads but is reimagined through a distinctly Filipino lens. “Ayaw Mo Na,” co-written with Ethan Loukas, taps into a more organic folk direction—thanks to its storytelling-driven lyrics and heart-tugging warmth. “Paano Ba Mag-isa” sounds like a return to form, offering a stripped-down, melodic approach that is steeped in classic ballad traditions.

Serving as the EP’s masterpiece is the focus track “Paalam Na,” produced by Line In Productions’ Nikhil Amarnani. A clear departure from his mellow, piano-backed ballads, the tune leans toward alternative pop/rock sensibilities. As the final chapter of the EP, “Paalam Na” reveals itself as a powerful meditation on closure: accepting that some things are meant to end, even as healing is still underway.

Carpio shares, “It’s also the song that took me the longest to write. I started writing it right after Hiling and Kay Tagal, but it took me almost 10 years to fully understand what it was about.”

According to Carpio, the finishing touches on the song came after a recent interaction with a close friend. “It was only when a friend of mine came to my studio after a breakup. He didn’t say much—he was just sitting there, trying to hide his sadness after ending a long-term relationship. That moment stayed with me. It gave me the clarity I needed to finally finish the song. In the EP, it represents closure—accepting that she has already moved on, even if you’re still in the process of letting go.”

Coinciding with Carpio’s decade-long anniversary as a recording artist, the new EP represents a moment of creative transition. Shedding off his “hugot” king persona, Carpio hints that the current record may signal the end of his ballad-driven era while opening doors to new creative reinventions for future music releases.

“This could be the closing chapter of that side of me,” Mark Carpio reveals. “What comes next is something I’m really excited about—but I’ll reveal that after this EP.”

Mark Carpio’s “Huling Pag-ibig” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.