Alluring love songs in Jolina’s return to top musical form

MAGDANGAL. Her songs are as emotively arranged as they are lovingly rendered.

There are a good number of catchy tracks in Jolina Magdangal’s latest album, “Back to Love.” The collection of ballads marks a return to form for the multitalented singer-actress who has been waylaid of late by underwhelming telenovelas.

With love songs that are as emotively arranged as they are lovingly rendered, Jolina makes full use of her hefty alto to breathe life into radio-friendly ballads that are far from disposable—especially when she sings about unrealized promises (“Paano Na ‘To,” “Nasaan”) or getting her heart broken (“Still,” the repertoire’s sole English number).

“Ikaw Ba ‘Yon” is a love-on-the-rocks ditty that allows Jolina to display her gorgeous notes as she scales the tune’s ascending melody. But, the songstress’ triumph goes beyond technical singing—in this particular track, she effectively delineates contrasting emotions that require her to shuttle between “holding on” and “letting go.”

Anchored by deeply resonant vocal chops that brim with sincerity and bottled-up longing, “Sa Panaginip Lang” is about a love that cannot be, and how a couple’s differences prevent them from making a connection, which is more apparent to her than to the object of her unrequited affection.

There’s an intriguing romantic shift in “Kaya Mo Pa Ba?,” about fading love and infidelity—a hum-worthy romantic charmer made more appealing by its frisky dramatic buildup and Jolina’s no-frills, straightforward singing.

Aside from “Paano Na ‘To” and “Sa Panaginip Lang,” the album’s other standout track is “Ganito Pala Ang Pag-ibig,” a midtempo number written for Jolina by her husband, Mark Escueta, with the special participation of their firstborn son, Pele.

Yes, it sure sounds like there’s going to be another warbler in the Escueta-Magdangal household—as soon as he outgrows those diapers!

The song is as noteworthy for its easygoing vibe as it is for its message about love’s all-encompassing and reassuring embrace!