When Paul Sapiera and his band "Rockstar'' released the song “Mahal Pa Rin Kita” (I Still Love You) in the 90s, it was a huge hit that launched the Filipino rock band's career in the Philippines. 

Some 30 years later, the classic Filipino love song still speaks to the heart of Filipinos in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  

Sapiera, who was this year’s headliner at the recent Asian Street Food and Music Festival at Harvard Square came all the way from Las Vegas. 

“I have a Filipino band, I’m still recording, writing, and producing music for other artists,” said Sapiera. 

His performance at Harvard Square did not happen by chance. He has a famous son and daughter who previously performed at the very same stage.

In 2022, Filipino-American rapper EZ Mil headlined the first one, with Raynn following a year later. 

EZ Mil has since signed with American rapper Eminem’s Shady Records, as well as with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. 

“Eminem treats my son like a younger brother,” said Sapiera. “He mentors my son. and my son pays attention to his advice and also Dr. Dre is an older guy, they treat EZ like a little brother.” 

Sapiera said he knew that his son was destined for bigger things right after hearing “Panalo,” EZ Mil’s first hit song that kicked off his music career in the U.S.

Eminem also put out a social media post on X showing him and EZ Mil in a recording studio. A subsequent post announced Eminem’s new studio album “The Death of Slim Shady,” set to drop this summer. 

The anticipation for EZ Mil’s collaboration with Eminem is real and is building up. 

“He has already proven his music to the Filipino community,” said Sapiera of his son. “Now, it’s time to prove it to the rest of the world. He’s crossing over from the Filipino market to the American market.”