Filipino singer-songwriter dwta releases “Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya,” a melancholic folk-pop track under Sony Music Entertainment.
The song is featured in the official soundtrack for the upcoming comedy-drama Flower Girl, starring Sue Ramirez.
Directed by multi-awarded filmmaker and screenwriter Fatrick Tabada, the quirk, fun, and deeply introspective film centers around Ena, a young woman in search of her lost “womanhood.”
Tabada offers nothing but high praises for dwta’s latest song, pointing out its pivotal role in supporting the lead character’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance. “Amid the film’s absurdity, the song grounds Ena and brings out her humanity,” Tabada adds. “Though Ena may come off as unlikeable at first, Kung Ikaw ay Masaya reminds the audience that she is a woman in the process of rediscovering her humanity—and that she, too, is allowed to stumble in her journey toward self-worth.”
WATCH THE FLOWER GIRL TRAILER HERE
“When I watched the trailer, I already felt that the story was very different,” shares the Bicol-born, Manila-based artist. “It’s not the usual love story you see in movies. That’s also how the song connects to the film. The original nursery rhyme is for kids but the way we used it in the song gave it a more serious feel, kind of like how the film talks about stuff people don’t usually talk about. It’s like both the song and the film took something familiar and made it feel more real and grown-up. It proves that even things that seem light can carry real weight.”
True to her roots as a storyteller and film enthusiast, dwta has always gravitated towards narratives that challenge convention. She sees Flower Girl as the type of film that aligns with her vision as an artist.
“it’s not just any movie,” she explains. “It’s bold, it’s unique, and it talks about things that are rarely depicted in mainstream Filipino cinema. “And with big stars like Sue Ramirez, KaladKaren, and other amazing actors in the cast, it’s a huge honor to be part of something this incredibly meaningful.”
DWTA’s “Kung Ikaw ay Masaya” serves as the soundtrack to Ena’s penultimate chapter in her search for true love. Amid the film’s absurdity, the song grounds Ena and brings out her humanity. Though Ena may come off as unlikeable at first, “Kung Ikaw ay Masaya” reminds the audience that she is a woman in the process of rediscovering her humanity—and that she, too, is allowed to stumble in her journey toward self-worth.
The song’s main hook, which also serves as its chorus, reimagines the beloved nursery rhymes of the same name. dwta’s take turns the familiar childhood melody into a haunting serenade that conveys the frustration of being at the receiving end of mixed signals and false hopes. She transforms what is typically lighthearted and innocent into something deeply personal.
LISTEN TO “KUNG IKAW AY MASAYA” HERE
The ’Santigwar” act reveals, “I ended up enjoying the process so much that I made a list of other nursery rhymes/ children games I could write songs from. Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya is one of them. I guess what inspired me the most was the idea that even the simplest, happiest songs can have deeper meaning if you look at them from a different angle.”
This isn’t her first foray into nursery rhymes-inspired music. Earlier, she released “Sampung Mga Daliri,” a nostalgic track turned bittersweet duet with SB19’s Justin and “Nasusunog (Pants On Fire).” The emotional juxtaposition between childhood joy and adult heartbreak, she explains, is what gives the songs their resonance.
“Nursery rhymes are nostalgic for us and we usually associate them with childhood and happy times. But when you pair that song with a different story like heartbreak, it hits differently.”
Produced by long-time collaborator Brian Lotho, “Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya” keeps things understated and intimate, with a stripped-back arrangement featuring only violin, guitar, and keyboard.
dwta’s “Kung Ikaw Ay Masaya” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.”
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