In the pilot episode of The Philippine STAR’s On The Rise, Amiel Sol revealed that he finished a degree in mathematics at the University of the Philippines in 2023 before entering the music industry.
Amiel said that while he doesn’t use his degree in creating music, there’s a specific trait that was helpful when he transitioned from being a mathematician to a full-time musician.
“Feeling ko hindi specifically ‘yung math ‘yung nagagamit ko, but the discipline that it takes to study math, ‘yung nagagamit ko. Kasi, when it comes to writing songs, you have to set aside time to write. And ‘yung mismo process of delegating and managing your time,” he said.
“Kasi minsan, ang sarap lang humilata. Pero ‘yung songwriting process, sometimes it’s so tedious na parang ilang oras na ako nandito, wala pa rin ako nasusulat. So, ‘yung discipline na nakuha ko lang sa pag-aaral ko sa math, ‘yun ‘yung masasabi kong nadala ko into my music career,” he added.
Amiel also shared why he ended up taking BS Mathematics in college after graduating from a science high school. He later became a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholar.
“Parang expected talaga sa amin na STEM ang related course ang kunin namin pag college. Hindi ko naman gusto mag-engineering. And hindi ko rin masyadong gusto ‘yung mga sciences, like biology. So ‘yung pinaka siguro okay ako nung high school was math. So ‘yun talaga ‘yung tinake up ko and niresearch ko rin naman na medyo marami rin ‘yung career opportunities ‘yung math,” he recalled.
Adding, “Isa rin ‘yung factor kung bakit ako nag-BS math. Kasi sa DOST scholarship, meron lang mga specific courses na pwede kang mag-apply para sa scholarship. Eh, malaking bagay siyempre ‘yung scholarship and mga allowances kapag ka-college student ka.”
At a very young age, Amiel recognized the importance of finishing his studies while pursuing his passion for music.
“Though gusto ko rin i-pursue ‘yung music, gusto ko lang din maging practical na if ever wala success sa music, I could always go to corporate. Kasi isa sa mga gusto ko lang naman sa music is ‘nagagawa ko ‘yung gusto ko, it doesn’t matter if I make money, as long as I get to pursue music. ‘Yung maganda kasi nung nag-work ako, hindi ko iniisip ‘yung pera sa music. Talagang, just doing it just because I love to do it,” he noted.
It was also Amiel’s dream to study at the University of Philippines saying, “Ever since bata ako, UP talaga ‘yung gusto ko, to the point na mas importante sa akin na makapasok ako sa UP kaysa makakuha ng course na gusto ko.”
With his dedication and passion, Amiel was able to finish his degree in 2023. He once tried juggling his time to build his music career while studying.
“Nung 2022 ako, third year college, nag-sign ako with Viva Records. Tapos nung graduate ako ng college, naisip ko, kinaya ko namang i-balance ‘yung acads ko tsaka ‘yung music. So why not i-balance ko naman ‘yung corporate tsaka ‘yung music. So naging data analyst ako sa isang BPO company. Up until a few months ago, nung dumadami na talaga ‘yung gigs ko, which is really a blessing, nag-decide ako na i-pursue ko na full-time ‘yung music,” he said.
His family was very supportive of his bold move as he promised them that he could go back anytime to the corporate world if his music doesn’t work out.
“Advice lang nila is really think about it and pray on it kasi malaking siyang life decision. Siyempre support lang naman sila. Nung 2020 ako nag-start mag-release ng mga and for two years, independent ako. Labas na ako ng labas ng mga kanta. Parang divine intervention na pumasok ‘yung record label na Viva nung time na kailangan ko talaga ng team,” he said while recalling his humble beginnings.
Amiel is famously known for his original song “Sa Bawat Sandali,” the official soundtrack of “Ang Mutya ng Section E.”
Amiel, along with other P-pop artists Earl Agustin, Rob Deniel, and GAT, is having a concert titled “MUTYA OST: Live in Concert”, directed by Paul Basinillo, on June 20, 2025, at the New Frontier Theater.
