Jan Roberts
Filipino singer-songwriter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jan Roberts Baloloy is a Filipino singer-songwriter and guitarist from Albay. He started sharing his music during the COVID-19 pandemic through online busking on social media platforms. His 2024 single "Sagip" (transl. Save) charted on Spotify Philippines' Viral 100. He is currently signed under Warner Music Philippines.[1]
Jan Roberts | |
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| Born | Jan Roberts Baloloy |
| Origin | Albay, Philippines |
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| Years active | 2020–present |
| Label | Warner Music Philippines |
Early life and education
Roberts grew up in Legazpi, Albay in a family with a background in music and theatre. He learned how to sing from his grandmother and was introduced to playing the guitar by his uncle. Karaoke sessions at home played a large role in his early exposure to music.[2][3]
Roberts earned a Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPeA) majoring in Theater Arts, at Bicol University College of Arts and Letters.[4] During his early recording career, he split his time between Bicol and Metro Manila to balance his studies with music-related work.[2]
Career
Roberts started writing songs in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With live performances put on hold, he began busking online on platforms such as Discord and TikTok, which helped him gain a following.[2][1] When restrictions were lifted, he moved into street busking and small live shows. He later met executives from Warner Music Philippines through a friend from the band Dilaw, who introduced him to the label.[3]
Roberts made his official debut as a recording artist under Warner Music in 2022. His single "Sagip", reached number three on the Spotify Philippines Viral 100 chart and garnered millions of streams.[1][3]
He later released songs including "Patlang" (transl. Space) and "Hirap Kalimutan" (transl. Hard to Forget). In 2024, "Sagip" had exceeded five million streams on Spotify.[2] He performed "Sagip" on the Wish 107.5 Bus, and participated in Rappler's Live Jam sessions.[5][6]
In 2025, Roberts collaborated with the folk band shirebound on the single "Hingalo" (transl. Gasping).[7] He said the experience was meaningful, as shirebound had been an early influence on his musical style.[8]
Artistry
Roberts performs mainly acoustic music, often in the form of soothing and contemplative ballads.[9] He is influenced by artists such as Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, Gary Granada, and Johnoy Danao, and has said he would like to collaborate with Dilaw, Dwta, and Munimuni.[2] Kyla Vivero of Pulp Magazine wrote that Roberts shows being a musician is not only about fame or success, but also about making songs that connect with listeners and reflect shared experiences.[3]