Once the behind-the-scenes rehearsal montage faded to black, the theater seemed to inhale as one.
The stage darkened completely, plunging everything into silence. No music. No movement. Just the low hum of anticipation vibrating through the air. For a brief, suspended moment, it felt like time itself had paused—so still that a pin dropping would've sounded deafening.
Then—
FLASH.
A blinding burst of light flooded the stage, forcing gasps from the audience as instinctively hands flew up to shield eyes.
🎶 Breathe… 🎶
The single word echoed softly, intimate and grounding.
Eli stepped forward first, the spotlight finding him with unerring precision. He held the opening note effortlessly, voice smooth and steady, wrapping around the room like warm air filling tired lungs. And then—that smile. That stupidly devastating, underwear-melting smile flashed across his face, instantly undoing half the audience.
The three of them weren't dressed in anything flashy or theatrical. No costumes. No glitter. No gimmicks.
Just comfort.
Just truth.
Eli wore a black sheer oversized loose shirt that clung and floated in all the right ways, ripped jeans worn soft at the knees, and heavy combat boots grounding his presence. He was effortless sex appeal—relaxed, confident, magnetic.
Jordan stood beside him in a beige oversized hoodie that looked like it smelled faintly of fabric softener and safety. Grey shorts, white long socks pulled up just right, sneakers scuffed from practice. He radiated comfort—like the human embodiment of a deep exhale.
Monarch completed the picture in his favorite ripped shirt, layered beneath a worn leather jacket. Cargo pants hugged his frame, sturdy leather mountain boots planted firmly on the stage. Rugged. Steady. Unshakeable.
Three different energies.
Sexy. Comfy. Grounded.
Together, they didn't clash—they harmonized. Freedom, in human form.
🎶
Don't hold it in
Don't let the fear and worry win
Ipikit ang mata, hinga ng malalim
'Wag alalahanin ang hinaharap na malagim
🎶
Eli's voice flowed through the verse like ocean water—silky and soothing, yet undeniably powerful. There was strength beneath the calm, the kind that comes from surviving storms. Every word landed gently, but firmly, like reassurance whispered directly into the chest.
The choreography matched the tone perfectly.
Nothing extravagant. No unnecessary flair.
Just clean, intentional movements. Steps that felt natural. Gestures that mirrored breathing—opening, grounding, releasing. The kind of choreography that looks easy until you realize how precise it has to be to feel that effortless.
Then came the pre-chorus.
Monarch stepped forward, voice rising as the harmonies wrapped around him.
🎶
One step, two step, three step, dahan-dahan lang
'Wag magmadali, buhay ay sayaw lang
May ritmo ang mundo, may himig ang gulo
Makinig ka lang sa tibok ng puso mo
🎶
Monarch didn't just sing—he commanded. His voice carried weight, control, and warmth all at once. There was a regal quality to the way he used his instrument, like he knew exactly when to pull back and when to let it soar. Royalty wasn't just a nickname—it was a fact.
The crowd was no longer just watching.
They were in it.
Swaying. Clapping. Smiling through misty eyes. Screaming when the emotion hit too hard to contain.
And then—
The chorus.
Jordan took the lead.
🎶
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Tingin lang sa langit and turn that frown upside down
🎶
The second Jordan smiled, the audience collectively melted.
There was something almost healing about him—his expression so open, so unguarded, that it felt like joy in its purest form. The kind that makes your chest ache in the best way. People didn't just cheer—they felt better.
The live band elevated everything, guitars warm and alive, drums steady like a heartbeat. It felt less like a competition stage and more like a shared moment—everyone fully present, fully here.
People in the audience stood up without even realizing it, hands raised, bodies moving freely. At home, viewers danced in their living rooms, nodded along from their beds, sang quietly to themselves.
Then came the rap section.
And Jordan?
Jordan snapped.
🎶
Yeah, sometimes it hurts, sometimes you fall—
🎶
His voice dropped suddenly, smooth and confident, dripping with swagger. The shift was so unexpected that the crowd lost it. Cheers turned feral. The gap moe hit like a truck—awkward, quirky Jordan transforming into someone who could absolutely wreck you on a verse.
And then—
Eli.
He followed with a crystal-clear high note that sliced clean through the room. Pure. Resonant. Perfectly placed. It rang so true it felt like it could rewrite destinies. Emotions surged—some clutched their chests, others their friends.
And yes.
Some clutched their thighs.
Because let's be honest—Eli's high note absolutely awakened things in places that were none of the show's business.
🎶
But every crack in your heart makes you whole—
🎶
Jordan jumped back in, finishing the rap with devastating clarity.
🎶
Tears ain't weakness, they're proof you feel
So take your time, let the wounds heal
Breathe in hope, exhale the doubt
You're stronger than the world shouts about
🎶
When he ended, he crossed his arms with a smug little grin—I did that written all over his face. The audience laughed, screamed, applauded even harder.
For the final chorus, Eli and Jordan abandoned the choreography entirely.
They hyped the crowd like seasoned performers—running across the stage, jumping, laughing, reaching out. Meanwhile, Monarch stood front and center, absolutely owning the moment, belting soaring ad-libs live like it was nothing.
A vocal king in his element.
By the end, the entire theater was singing along.
🎶 Just breathe… just breathe… 🎶
When the final note faded, the silence lasted exactly half a second—
Before the theater erupted.
A full standing ovation. Deafening applause. Cheers that shook the walls. Onstage, Eli, Monarch, and Jordan stood there breathing hard, eyes shining, smiles wide and genuine.
They hadn't just performed.
They had reminded everyone how to breathe again.
****
When the applause finally began to soften and the cheers settled into a low, excited murmur, the stage lights shifted gently, signaling the start of the feedback segment.
Eli, Monarch, and Jordan stood shoulder to shoulder at center stage, sweat still clinging to their skin, chests rising and falling as adrenaline slowly ebbed away. Their smiles were wide, unguarded—relief and pride written plainly across their faces. Whatever came next, they knew they had left everything on that stage.
Tuesday was the first to speak, and the moment she did, her energy filled the room all over again.
"Guys—what was that?!" she exclaimed, hands flying up dramatically. "I genuinely forgot I was watching trainees in an evaluation. That felt like a full-blown concert." She laughed, then grew even more animated, voice thick with emotion. "It felt like the stage was your home, and you invited all of us in—like, 'Come on in, take a dip in the pool, grab some food from the grill, stay as long as you like.'"
The audience chuckled warmly.
"You touched my heart so deeply, you don't even understand," Tuesday continued, blinking rapidly as her eyes glossed over. "The sincerity—you weren't just singing the song, you were living it. And I know for a fact that message hit close to home for so many people tonight." She placed a hand over her chest, voice softening. "So thank you, the three of you, for reminding us to slow down… to pause… and just breathe."
The applause that followed was gentle but heavy with feeling.
Luca spoke next, expression calm but glowing with appreciation.
"If I had to describe that performance in a single word," he said, pausing just long enough for the tension to build, "it would be free."
The word seemed to settle over the room like a sigh of relief.
"That's what you embodied from start to finish. Freedom. Ease. Joy," Luca continued. "The way you pulled the audience into your world—how natural it all felt—that's not something you can fake. That's the mark of real artists." He nodded approvingly. "We asked you to perform like your lives depended on it, and you delivered in spades. Truly. Congratulations."
Short. Sweet. Earnest.
Then Luca tilted his head slightly, lips curling into a knowing smirk.
"And now," he added casually, "let's hear from the person who wrote that song."
A ripple ran through the audience.
At this point, it wasn't shocking that Foca had written another evaluation track—that reveal had already landed earlier in the night—but the realization still hit hard for the trio onstage. One song was already nerve-wracking enough. Knowing this was another deeply personal piece from him made the weight of the moment sink in all over again.
Foca leaned forward slightly, hands folded, his expression uncharacteristically soft.
"I wrote that song during my time at Juilliard," he began. "It was one of those periods where the pressure felt overwhelming—like the walls were closing in." He smiled faintly, eyes distant with memory. "I remember calling my mom one night, exhausted. And do you know what she told me?"
The audience leaned in.
"She said, 'Take a break. Pause. Catch your breath. I know it's hard, but you have to breathe. God gave you the privilege to do it for free—don't deprive yourself of such a blessing.'"
A quiet hush fell over the theater.
"And that's where the song came from," Foca continued. "Watching you three tonight… you didn't just perform it. You understood it. You lived by its message and shared it with everyone here." He smiled, pride unmistakable. "You made the song your own—and that's more than any songwriter could ever ask for. Thank you. Truly. That was outstanding."
For a heartbeat, none of them moved.
Then Eli stepped forward and wrapped his strong arms around Monarch and Jordan, pulling them into a tight group hug. The three stood there, foreheads nearly touching, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions—relief, gratitude, triumph—all colliding at once.
They had done it.
The audience rose again in applause, louder this time, unified in agreement. Online, the reactions poured in just as fiercely.
@Rumi: I'm crying but also smiling like an absolute idiot. This song hit me straight in the soul.
@JiN: OMG that was BEAUTIFUL. Y'all didn't just perform—you healed people.
@Minasoo: Another debut-worthy stage. I'm honestly scared now… everyone is doing TOO WELL 😭
And somewhere between the cheers, the tears, and the racing hearts, one thing became undeniably clear—
This wasn't just another evaluation.
It was a moment people would remember.
*****
PS - You can listen to "Breathe" in full at YouTube (@FocacciaBread-Music), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/1ck56LUm4SD9vVCChFkI5u?si=-1Tw7cL9SO-2h1fvFJDhKQ) or other digital streaming platforms.
****
Here's the original lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Breathe… don't hold it in
Don't let the fear and worry win
Ipikit ang mata, hinga ng malalim
Wag alalahanin ang hinaharap na malagim
[Pre-Chorus]
One step, two step, three step, dahan-dahan lang
Wag magmadali, buhay ay sayaw lang
May ritmo ang mundo, may himig ang gulo
Makinig ka lang sa tibok ng puso mo
[Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Tingin lang sa langit and turn that frown upsidedown
[Verse 2]
Sa dami-dami ng ingay ng mundo
Lahat nagsasabe-sabe na parang multo
Hindi maawat kahit anong pilit
Ang tenga isarado, pero puso'y umiigting
[Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Tingin lang sa langit and turn that frown upsidedown
[Rap]
Yeah, sometimes it hurts, sometimes you fall
But every crack in your heart makes you whole
Tears ain't weakness, they're proof you feel
So take your time, let the wounds heal
Breathe in hope, exhale the doubt
You're stronger than the world shouts about
[Bridge]
Even when the night feels long
Remember, you're not alone
May araw na sisikat muli
At bituin na magdadala sa 'yong muli
[Final Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend (Oh-Ohhhhh~)
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Tingin lang sa langit and turn that frown upsidedown
(Just breathe… just breathe…)
****
English version:
[Verse 1]
Breathe… don't hold it in
Don't let fear and worry win
Close your eyes, take a deep breath
Don't dwell on a dark, frightening future
[Pre-Chorus]
One step, two steps, three steps, slowly now
No need to rush, life is just a dance somehow
The world has rhythm, chaos has a tune
Just listen closely to your heart's own beat
[Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Just look up at the sky and turn that frown upsidedown
[Verse 2]
With all the noise this world keeps making
Everyone talking, whispering like ghosts, never breaking
No matter how hard you try to shut it out
Your ears may close, but your heart still pounds
[Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Just look up at the sky and turn that frown upsidedown
[Rap]
Yeah, sometimes it hurts, sometimes you fall
But every crack in your heart makes you whole
Tears ain't weakness, they're proof you feel
So take your time, let the wounds heal
Breathe in hope, exhale the doubt
You're stronger than the world shouts about
[Bridge]
Even when the night feels long
Remember, you're not alone
A new day will rise again
And stars will guide you home once more
[Final Chorus]
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, you can try again
Life's winnable and a miracle, my friend (Ohhh—Ohhh~)
Don't let the pressure of life weigh you down
Just look up at the sky and turn that frown upsidedown.
(Just breathe… just breathe…)