With talents spanning songwriting, poetry, scriptwriting, and journalism, this creative force has shaped a distinctive career in the arts. Olongapo City native Lolito Go brings his passion and versatility to every corner of the Philippine music and entertainment landscape.
He gained national acclaim when he won the Himig Handog 2017 Grand Prize as the ukulele arranger of “Titibo-tibo,” performed by Moira Dela Torre. “It’s a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to write songs for film, television, and theater,” Lolito shares. His other notable achievements include being a finalist in the Philpop Songwriting Festival 2020 with the song “Balikan,” interpreted by Benj Manalo, and winning the Smart People’s Choice Award in the same competition.
Lolito’s creative reach also spans television, having written songs for MMK’s 28th-anniversary theme and the OST of GMA-7’s Koreanovela Another Ms. Oh. He has collaborated with artists like Moira Dela Torre, Ken Chan, Bituin Escalante, Juris Fernandez, and Elaine Duran. Beyond mainstream projects, Lolito also composed tourism songs for San Antonio and Masinloc, Zambales.
Influenced by legendary bands such as The Beatles, Eraserheads, and Sugarfree, as well as songwriters like Gary Granada, Rico Blanco, Ebe Dancel, and Ryan Cayabyab, Lolito says, “I decided to just write and stay in the background because my voice isn’t good enough for singing.”
Despite his accomplishments, Lolito remains grounded. “My motivation has never been fame. I write because I love it. Fame would just be a bonus,” he says.
A chess enthusiast, trivia lover, and occasional movie critic, Lolito believes these hobbies sharpen his creativity. In the entertainment industry, he made waves as a co-writer for Vivamax’s first film, Paglaki Ko Gusto Kong Maging Porn Star and as a lyricist for several TV shows.
Lolito has faced challenges, including controversies surrounding his politically themed songs and personal conflicts, such as an issue with Moira Dela Torre. “There were even death threats,” he reveals, but these only fueled his resilience.
To aspiring songwriters, Lolito advises, “Be prepared. The industry is tough, but you can be kind while being tough.” He emphasizes finding a balance between personal ideals and professional conformity, saying, “Be mindful of when to go with—and when to go against—the flow.”
