Zack Tabudlo went above and beyond with his Episode music video series, which starred a who’s who of stars from James Reid, SethDrea, MavLine, and more.
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Zack Tabudlo had an amazing 2021, to say the least. After dropping his single Binibini in early 2021, he went from a musical prodigy into a rising OPM star. The single became a smash hit and Zack churned out standout tracks throughout the year. His songs topped charts and Binibini even became the most streamed song in Spotify Philippines, beating out superstars like BTS and Olivia Rodrigo. But Zack didn’t just releasing singles, he also dropped his debut album, the exceptional Episode.
Proving just how booked and busy he was in 2021, he also shot music videos for each song of the album, 14 in total ala Beyonce when she dropped her surprised self-titled album in 2013. To do such an ambitious project while working on your album is a feat in itself. But the fact that he and his team did it all during a pandemic is quite impressive. When it came time to filming the Episode music videos, Zack enlisted a cadre of stars and personalities from varied fields to help bring to life his vision of love, heartbreak, and everything in between. Here are all the celebs featured in Zack Tabudlo’s Episode music video series.
GELAI PENALES and PAT CORTEZ – HEART CAN’T LOSE
Episode one begins with the album’s opening track, Heart Can’t Lose. The accompanying music video stars artists and social media personalities Gelai Penales and Pat Cortez where they play two souls falling in love with one another. Directed by Samantha Lee, Heart Can’t Lose is a touching love story about two people comfortable with each other, not to mention the LGBTQIA+ representation.
JAMES REID – PARA SA MGA EX
Para Sa Mga Ex stars James Reid as a man who recently went through a breakup and spoilers, he’s not taking it so well. Directed by Kani Villaflor, who directed most of the Episode music videos, Para Sa Mga Ex serves as the actor and singer’s return to acting in a while outside his own music videos and he does not disappoint. Despite their being no audible dialogue, James expressively emotes the anger and pain one understandably goes through after leaving a stinging breakup.
LA AGUINALDO AND EMMANUEL VERA – LOST and CALM ME DOWN
Lost and Calm Me Down standout in the entire project because both tell the same story from different perspectives. In Lost, beauty queen Emmanuel Vera plays a woman who recently split from her boyfriend, played by model and influencer LA Aguinaldo. She goes to see him but gets her heart broken again when she sees him giving flowers to someone else. But in Calm Me Down, it shows LA’s character also wanting to get back with his ex and buys her flowers. But he gets shocked to see that she already has flowers from somebody else. The two videos tell a heartbreaking yet all too real tale of how wrong impressions can ruin what was meant to be a good thing.
PAULO AVELINO and CHARLIE DIZON – HINDI KO KAYA
For fans of the critically acclaimed Fan Girl, Hindi Ko Kaya serves as a bit of a treat. Not only does it see the movie’s stars Paulo Avelino and Charlie Dizon reunite once more, but the MV is directed by the film’s director, Antoinette Jadaone. Avelino and Dizon play two people who broke up. Early on, we see that Dizon’s character wants to get back with her ex, but he’s unresponsive. She sees that he’s going to a Zack Tabudlo gig and decides to go with the hopes of rekindling their romance. But unbeknownst to her, he’s already dating someone else, leaving her heartbroken at the gig. The video really hits home the song’s message of longing for someone again, but realizing it’s too late.
ANDREA BRILLANTES and SETH FEDELIN – BINIBINI
The song that helped supercharge Zack’s journey into becoming a star, Binibini is the most popular on the album and that’s in part thanks to the songs exceptional music video starring Gen Z power couple, Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin. Directed by Dan Villegas, Binibini is presented as a love story in reverse. It starts of with the couple breaking up before rewinding to show how the couple got to where they were. Not only does this make for a novel concept, but it makes the video sting even more knowing that the happiness the two are experiencing will just lead to a break up.
H2WO and MIKA SALAMANCA – BA’T GANTO ANG PAG-IBIG
Have you ever liked someone but they never liked you back that way? If so, then you can very much relate to the music video for Ba’t Ganto Ang Pag-Ibig. Starring YouTuber Mika Salamanca and her boyfriend John Paul Salonga, more popularly known as esports player H2WO, the video sees them get close while doing household chores and other mundane activities. It seems that the two are going to be more than just friends, but it turns out that the guy has someone else, leaving Mika’s character saddened. We feel you, girl.
CONG TV and VIY CORTEZ – HABANG BUHAY
Habang Buhay is a standout track from Episode so it’s only right that its music video is also just as memorable. Directed by Moises Zee, the video stars OG Pinoy YouTube star Cong TV and his real life girlfriend and fellow YouTuber, Viy Cortez. They play a couple who recently move in to a new apartment where they spend quality time together, get into fun hijinks, and even show off a few dance moves. The music video emanates the song’s fun and upbeat vibe as well as it’s message of spending the rest of your life with someone. The mv hits extra hard when you realize that Viy is currently pregnant with their first child.
CASSY LEGASPI – ELIZABETH
Now this is a love team we weren’t expecting but happy it’s here. Elizabeth is a bop and a half, standing out from the album with its 80s retro throwback mood. So, the music video captures that vibe with its throwback American high school setting. It stars Cassy Legaspi as the titular Elizabeth and Zack as her love interest. Zack and Elizabeth like each other but don’t know that they like each other. When Zack sees that the school is holding a talent show, he uses that opportunity to confess his love for her. Aside from the mv’s sweet storyline, we’re also loving the nostalgic vibe of the video from the outfits to the cassette player.
EMPOY MARQUEZ, ALBERT NICOLAS, and ADRIANNA SO – SIMULA PALANG NUNG UNA
While most of Episode‘s music videos deal with romantic love, Simula Palang Nung Una is memorable for the fact that it deals with a different kind of love, brotherly love. The offbeat and comedic music video sees actor Empoy Marquez and influencer Albert Nicolas take on the roles of the Buko Bros, two amateur wrestlers aiming to win the championship belt. With their combined might, the two are unstoppable.
But problems abound when Nicolas’ character falls in love with a woman, played by actress Adrianna So. This causes a rift between the two and it looks like they will lose the championship. But the two reunite to win, proving that the love that you have for your best friend is one of the strongest that you can have. Directed by Mike Livelo, the video is the least serious out of the entire series, but that works in its favor thanks to the comedic energy between Empoy Marquez and Albert Nicolas.
AGASSI CHING and JAI ASUNCION – FIRST & LAST
Out of all the videos in the series, First & Last might hit the hardest emotionally. Starring YouTubers and real life couple Agassi Ching and Jai Asuncion, the music video sees them live their lives normally as a loving couple. But tragedy strikes half way through the video as it becomes a reflection of how one moves or doesn’t move on from the loss of a loved one.
KYLINE ALCANTARA and MAVY LEGASPI – HUWAG MONG PAHULAIN
Even though school has shifted to an online setup, that hasn’t stopped students from developing feelings for each other. This is the tale that is being told in the music video for Huwag Mong Pahulain. Starring Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi, it follows the two of them during online class. Both have a crush on each other but haven’t admitted it. But Mavy’s character makes the first move and the two start their relationship from, at least virtually for the time being.
JAKE CUENCA and KYLIE VERSOZA – HIGH
Jake Cuenca and Kylie Verzosa live out their action movie fantasy in the music video for High. Kylie plays the damsel in distress while Jake plays the super spy on his way to rescue Kylie. But a twist happens halfway through the video to make for an interesting set-up. Given how Jake and Kylie are dating in real life, the chemistry the two have is explosive. Also, Zack’s role in this MV is arguably one of his most fun, up there with Elizabeth and the wrestling referee in Simula Palang Nung Una.
EUGENE FABREGAS, HEDY ACAYAN, and NATALIA GUERRERO – GIVE ME YOUR FOREVER
Zack Tabudlo really said, save the best for last. To close out his Episode music video series, he dropped the video for the closing track, Give Me Your Forever just a few days after Christmas. Directed by Enzo Valdez, it stars Eugene Fabregas and Hedy Acayan as an elderly couple. Fabregas’ character lovingly recreates their love story with the help of a young girl, played by Natalia Guerrero. Over the course of the video, the two reenact the couple’s love story, from how they met to where they end up and it might just leave a tear in your eye. While most may just know Natalia as Ranz Kyle and Niana Guererro’s younger sister, she’s a natural on camera steals the show with her preciousness.
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