Aspiring songwriter Rommel Gojo returned to A Song of Praise Music Festival songwriting tilt (ASOP) and claimed the October’s first weekly elimination round last Sunday (October 7).

Gojo first vied for the ASOP title in 2013 with his composition “Awit ng mga Awit”.

He hopes that his winning entry this season, “Di Na “Ko Aawit”, will take him further in the competition than his first one did.

His renewed determination, however, was born from a period of grief and helplessness.

After the death of his wife last year, Gojo felt all inspiration leave his body. He even considered giving up on singing and writing songs.

But when he finally learned the lessons of love and loss and God’s unconditional love, he returned to music, finding solace in gospel songs.

“After realizing that the Lord is the One who really gives you the reason to continue every day of your life and for you to realize that even though things happen in our lives that we don’t understand why only God’s love remains constant. That is what I am holding onto and that is why I was able to write this song,” Gojo shared.

He is set to be back for the last monthly finals of ASOP Year 7.