MANILA, Philippines – In Filipino culture, gayuma means love potion—mysterious, magnetic, and a little dangerous. It’s a fitting title for a song about feelings kept secret, caught between desire and hesitation. That’s the spell cast by NOBITA and OPM icon Yeng Constantino in their first-ever collaboration, the ballad “Gayuma,” produced by Brian Lotho and released under Sony Music Entertainment.
For both artists, emotional sincerity is familiar ground. NOBITA, the Valenzuela-based quintet of Jaeson Felismino, Sam Aquino, Mark Quintero, Richmond Bancolita, and Jonathan Agbanlog, first captured hearts with the pandemic anthem “Ikaw Lang.” The track has since racked up more than 250 million Spotify streams, cementing them as leaders of OPM’s modern hugot wave. Known for unpretentious ballads amplified by TikTok, they’ve built a loyal fanbase called the “Nobibis.”
Yeng Constantino, meanwhile, has spent nearly two decades shaping OPM with confessional staples like “Hawak Kamay” and “Ikaw.” Since her 2006 breakthrough as the Grand Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy, she has released multiple platinum-selling albums, earned more than half a billion YouTube views, and collected numerous honors, including multiple Awit Awards. Her music, often drawn from personal experiences, has marked milestones in countless Filipino weddings, friendships, and love stories. Nearly 20 years in, she remains a cultural voice for honesty and vulnerability in song.
From Demo to Duet
The collaboration was almost accidental. According to NOBITA, “Gayuma” had been shelved as a demo until they realized it needed another layer. “We started thinking about a female collaborator who could bring balance and emotional nuance,” the band shared. “And there’s no one more perfect than Ms. Yeng—we’re just so lucky she agreed.”
Their first session proved inspiring. “We exchanged ideas on what to add and change from the original track, which eventually shaped the final version,” they added.
“It was love at first listen.” – Yeng Constantino
Constantino described her immediate connection to the song, even requesting that the melody of the first verse be preserved. “The whole session, I was tapping into the emotion of falling in love. Once you immerse yourself in that space, you realize it’s hard to control your feelings. That energy guided our process, helping us refine the lyrics and capture the material’s vulnerability.”
When Generations Meet in Song
The result is a duet that feels both timeless and timely. For NOBITA, the lyrics reflect their core theme: “It’s about secret love—holding back, wondering if the other person feels the same, and hoping the emotions are mutual.”
Against a stripped-down arrangement, Constantino’s soulful clarity and NOBITA’s heartfelt delivery intertwine seamlessly. Their voices are fragile in quiet moments yet powerful in the chorus, embodying the push and pull of a love that may never be confessed.
“Yeng’s voice and artistry elevated the song’s sincerity.” – NOBITA
Instead of clashing, their styles complement one another, creating a performance that bridges two generations of OPM balladry.
The Producer’s Touch
Producer Brian Lotho, known for his work with Leanne & Naara and Syd Hartha, shaped the track so that every beat amplifies the emotion in the lyrics. His production balances intimacy with polish, ensuring “Gayuma” feels deeply personal yet widely resonant.
A Masterclass in Vulnerability
In Filipino folklore, gayuma is often seen as a charm or potion meant to bend hearts toward desire. In this collaboration, it becomes a metaphor for love’s uncertainty—magnetic, unexplainable, and sometimes beyond control.
In the end, “Gayuma” is more than a duet. It’s proof that vulnerability remains OPM’s truest language, and that music can still bridge eras. For NOBITA and Yeng Constantino, this collaboration is a reminder that love—whether whispered in secret or sung out loud—always feels like magic.
