You had to be there. During the massive breakout year of the Filipino Indie music scene in 2019, of many songs, Munimuni’s “Bawat Piyesa” was engraved in everyone’s hearts.
Among the band members that pioneered the “makata-pop” genre was the former frontman TONEEJAY, now known for his successful solo career. TONEEJAY reached the younger demographic with his notable work “711”, which then topped the Billboard Philippines and Spotify Philippines chart in late 2023. Then came syd hartha with the Secret Verse version of “Bawat Piyesa”. The two recorded a special stripped-down version that highlights syd’d distinct, hauntingly beautiful perspective and vocals. Creating a soothing dynamic with TONEEJAY’s leading voice.
On ocean, reconnection and refuge
Now on their second newest collaboration, syd hartha and TONEEJAY are back together to hand you the ultimate musical security blanket. Their brand-new single, “Dito Muna Tayo”, is officially here. And it is the exact audio equivalent of staring at the ocean waves while your phone is on Do Not Disturb.
According to syd, bringing TONEEJAY onto the track was a total no-brainer:
The collaboration came out naturally. We’ve worked together before on one of his songs, and I’ve been wanting to collaborate with him again since then. When I chose ‘dito muna tayo’ as my next single, it felt like the song needed more color and texture. TONEEJAY was the missing piece in the puzzle.”
The entire track is deeply rooted in syd’s personal happy place: the ocean. Growing up, her great-grandparents would constantly take her to the beaches near their home in Cebu, and that core childhood memory never really left her.
As an adult, the sea became more than just a vacation spot—it became a place to heal. After spending a few months living by the coast, syd found herself physically, mentally, and emotionally restored. The heartbreak of having to leave that sanctuary is exactly what sparked the lyrics.
To make the track feel even closer to home, syd actually penned a few Cebuano lines into the lyrics, seamlessly tying her childhood roots to the peace she finds in the water today.
The vibe: Unfiltered, vulnerably honest.
Musically, “Dito Muna Tayo” doesn’t try too hard to overcomplicate things, and that’s exactly why it hits so hard. Built on soft, understated instrumentation, the track creates a safe space where both artists can just be entirely vulnerable.
With the track’s main mantra, “babalik at uuwi ako dito,” echoing throughout, the song serves as a gentle reminder that it’s okay to pause, unmask your defensiveness, and just exist in the quiet moments.
I started by imagining what that sense of calm would sound like on guitar, and the lyrics just flowed from there. We mostly just focused on bringing the song to life in the simplest and most honest way possible.”
Stream Dito Muna Tayo, now on all major music platforms, and let your mind drift away for a few minutes. You deserve the break.
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