Harlem Jude Ferolino Reimagines Filipino Fantasy Through AI-Driven Music

 

While AI-generated music continues to spark debate, Harlem Jude Ferolino has shown that technology, when guided by artistic intent, can unlock new creative possibilities. His Encantadia-inspired AI compositions have gained significant traction online, with some tracks going viral and earning praise from fans and even the series’ creators.

“I’ve always believed music is a kind of spell—a language that carries memory and magic,” Ferolino shares. “When I discovered how AI could shape sound, I wanted to fuse that power with Filipino mythos. Encantadia was the perfect realm to explore: fantasy rooted in heritage, courage, and culture.”

Ferolino, Executive Director of Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network and President of Certified Voice Artists Philippines, Inc. (CVAP Inc.), channels his creative work into advocacy and youth empowerment. For him, Encantadia became a canvas that reflects the richness of Filipino imagination.

“It’s mythology wrapped in our own language and values. I saw it as a chance to reclaim our sense of wonder through sound.”

One of his strongest influences was Bayang Barrios, whose ethnic chant for the show’s theme song resonated deeply with Ferolino’s Mindanaoan roots.

“As a former dancer and choreographer, that rhythm spoke to my soul. It was ancestral—it carried the pulse of our origins,” he says, citing artists like Joey Ayala as inspirations for blending folk, identity, and sound.

Encantadia taught him that fantasy can be cultural, mythology can be modern, and art can preserve memory. Through music, Ferolino found a way to give voice to that dream. 

His creative process begins with a concept—often a line or essence from a Sang’gre character—which he researches and distills using AI tools like ChatGPT. He crafts lyrics and melodies, then guides the AI by describing style, mood, and tempo, remixing outputs until the soul of the song emerges. Sometimes it takes 10 versions, other times over 80.

Blending Filipino indigenous sounds with African and Latin tribal elements, Ferolino’s most viral track, Awit ng Lupa (Himig ni Danaya), earned widespread praise.

The video garnered 1.4 million views and over 5,000 shares on Facebook. 'Awit ng Lupa' has become a dance trend on TikTok, with various creators using it to express not only their fandom for the series but also their appreciation for Ferolino’s work. His Encantadia-inspired AI music is now available on streaming platforms.

“The success reminded me that Filipino imagination is alive and hungry. We crave stories that sound like us, look like us, and sing in our own rhythm. That’s why it connected—it was the sound of belonging.”

He believes the song resonated because it came from authenticity, not algorithms. AI was merely the instrument; the emotion came from a Filipino heart.

“If it doesn’t move me first, I know it won’t move others. It has to flow naturally so people focus on the music, the lyrics, and the meaning.”

Ferolino intentionally avoided using specific Encantadia terms or character names, aiming for broader appeal.

“Other AI creators include those, and that’s their choice. But I wanted the song to go beyond Encantadia. My goal is for Filipinos to sing and dance to it—whether they’re fans or not.”

He is clear-eyed about AI’s limitations. “AI can’t replace artists. It’s not the composer—it’s the instrument. The artist remains the heartbeat, the dreamer, the soul that shapes every note into something timeless.”

For Ferolino, AI is a tool to amplify imagination, not shortcut effort. “It’s like fire—dangerous in the wrong hands, illuminating when used with purpose.”

Looking ahead, Ferolino dreams of officially collaborating with the Encantadia universe or creating original Filipino fantasy scores that merge myth, music, and machine. Under his label, Papa Lem Music, he envisions albums, stage performances, and digital collaborations that honor folktales while introducing new legends.

“AI will continue to be my tool, but the heart will always be human. The goal isn’t to sound futuristic—it’s to make the future sound Filipino. If one day a young artist hears my work and thinks, ‘Pwede pala ito, kaya ko rin,’ then that’s the real prophecy fulfilled.”

To aspiring creators, Ferolino offers this advice: use AI to expand your imagination, not escape effort. Let it be your brush, but let your soul choose the colors.

“Don’t chase the algorithm—chase the story. Learn the rules of technology, but master the language of emotion. AI will give you a thousand sounds, but only you can decide which one means something,” he said.

Above all, he urges artists to stay rooted. “The future belongs to those who merge innovation with identity. Remember where your story began—that’s what will make your art immortal.”

“When I compose with AI, I don’t see the end of human art—I see its evolution. The soul of music will always belong to the people. We’re just learning new ways to let it sing.”