“His heart was not in it anymore.”

This is how Champ Lui Pio of Hale explained drummer Omnie Saroca’s departure from the band in 2008.

The separation was based on what the remaining members of Hale termed as “a mutual decision” resulting from “the usual musical differences.”

“Omnie no longer felt as passionate about the band unlike the rest of us,” Lui Pio said in a recent interview.

Saroca, he said, became too busy with so many other things, that he “lost sight” of his role in the band.

“He had personal reasons… and we tried to understand him,” said Lui Pio. “But the band eventually suffered so we decided to let him go.”

The decision led to “creative outbursts” that birthed their new CD, “Kundiman.”

Paolo Santiago, ex-drummer of Join The Club and an original member of Hale before the band was signed, replaced Saroca.

“Paolo wasn’t just a replacement – at least, he didn’t act like one. From the moment he sat on the drum stool, he made it known how eager he is to make his mark,” said Lui Pio.

The 8-track “Kundiman,” said the band, is their nod toward capturing a more “Filipino” sound.

“We haven’t released an all-Tagalog album so this is our way of showing our pride…regarding our race, our culture, our language,” Hale guitarist Roll Martinez said.

This thrust is reflected in the video for the promotional track, “Bahay Kubo,” which Lui Pio calls “a labor of love.” Two celebrities appear in that video, Heart Evangelista and Bianca King. 

With Evangelista reportedly being loveless at the moment, we asked the band if any of them had attempted to woo her.

“Ah, yeah…maybe if we had a different director…one of us would have done so,” bassist Sheldon Gellada winked, motioning towards Lui Pio, who could only manage a feeble smile.

“Kundiman” will be launched on August 14, 6 pm at the Sky Dome SM North EDSA. Limited edition posters and guitar picks await those who will buy a copy of the album then.