‘Marupok’ songwriter Danielle Ann Balagtas calls KZ Tandingan the ‘ideal interpreter’

Rhea Manila Santos

After besting thousands of song entries from songwriters all over the country and with her composition “Marupok” being named Best Song in the country’s biggest songwriting competition, composer Danielle Ann Balagtas revealed the story behind her winning Himig 11th Edition composition.“Nung sinusulat ko yung kanta, actually yung title yung huling huling pumasok sa kanta. I’m a storyteller. Nagsusulat muna ako ng storya tungkol sa isang babae, yung experience niya dun sa relationship niya, kung paano siya nag-grow. Anfd then there was this line na huli ko sinulat. Dahil alam ko na relevant yun hindi lang sa akin dahil first time ko ma-feel na naging marupok ako sa isang lalake, pero dahil marami din sa henerasyon ko ang nakakaramdam paano maging marupok, paano yung babalik at bababa yung pride niyo sa isang lalake na hindi kayo pinapahalagahan. At gusto ko yun maging symbol sa isang babae na kahit siya naging marupok ay lahat tayo may kapasidad para mag-grow at para maging empowered na woman,” she shared.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/3/24/fresh-scoops/kz-tandingan-reveals-how-himig-handog-saved-her-ca-192458'>KZ Tandingan reveals how Himig Handog saved her career: ‘I thought it was over for me’</a>With her dance-pop song performed by KZ Tandingan during the culmination night of ABS-CBN’s Himig 11th Edition last March 21, Danielle said she could not be any happier with her award-winning interpreter.“KZ is the ideal interpreter for anyone. Alam ko hindi lang ako yung may gusto na si KZ ang mag-interpret. She’s so versatile and one of my visions for the song ko is an OPM sound that can stand on the world stage and I don’t think there’s anybody else except Ms. KZ who can just symbolize yung Pinoy na sound na panlaban natin sa rest of the world,” she said.The 23-year-old composer also shared with the local press during the Himig 11th Edition Winners virtual media conference how her passion for songwriting came to be.“Actually hindi songwriting ang aking main career kasi lumaki ako sa sciences at ngayon nag-ma-masters ako sa counselling. Pero ever since elementary nagsusulat na ako nung graduation song namin, kahit nung nasa med school ako yung batch song namin sinulat ko rin. I’ve been writing my whole life and I think it’s less of my technical skill that qualifies me as a songwriter but more of my love for music which I know I share with so many other people. That’s why there are so many songwriters. And I’m very privileged to be selected for this,” she said.The winners of #Himig11thEdition: Best Song: “Marupok”Composer: Daniella Ann BalagtasInterpreter: KZ Tandingan 2nd Best Song: “Kahit na Masungit”Composer: John Francis and Jayson Franz PasicolanInterpreters: Jeremy G and Kyle EcharriLive performance by: Bugoy Drilon 3rd Best Song: “Ibang Planeta”Composer: Dan TañedoInterpreter: Zild 4th Best Song: “Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap”Composer: Kenneth ReodicaInterpreter: Davey Langit featuring KritikoLive performance by: JM Yosures featuring Kritiko 5th Best Song: “Kulang ang Mundo”Composer: Daryl CieloInterpreter: Sam Mangubat Special AwardsMYX Choice for Best Music Video: “Marupok”Composer: Danielle BalagtasInterpreter: KZ TandinganMusic Video Director: Geloyellow/ Gerard Lopez Most Streamed Song: “Kahit Kunwari Man Lang”Composer: David MercadoInterpreter: Moira dela Torre and Agsunta TFC’s Global Choice: “Tinadhana Sa’yo”Composer: SJ GandiaInterpreter: Zephanie MOR Entertainment Choice Award: “Tinadhana Sa’yo”Composer: SJ GandiaInterpreter: Zephanie Himig TikTok Choice Award: “Tabi Tabi Po”Composer: Mariah MorionesInterpreter: JMKO

With her dance-pop song performed by KZ Tandingan during the culmination night of ABS-CBN’s Himig 11th Edition last March 21, Danielle said she could not be any happier with her award-winning interpreter.“KZ is the ideal interpreter for anyone. Alam ko hindi lang ako yung may gusto na si KZ ang mag-interpret. She’s so versatile and one of my visions for the song ko is an OPM sound that can stand on the world stage and I don’t think there’s anybody else except Ms. KZ who can just symbolize yung Pinoy na sound na panlaban natin sa rest of the world,” she said.The 23-year-old composer also shared with the local press during the Himig 11th Edition Winners virtual media conference how her passion for songwriting came to be.“Actually hindi songwriting ang aking main career kasi lumaki ako sa sciences at ngayon nag-ma-masters ako sa counselling. Pero ever since elementary nagsusulat na ako nung graduation song namin, kahit nung nasa med school ako yung batch song namin sinulat ko rin. I’ve been writing my whole life and I think it’s less of my technical skill that qualifies me as a songwriter but more of my love for music which I know I share with so many other people. That’s why there are so many songwriters. And I’m very privileged to be selected for this,” she said.The winners of #Himig11thEdition: Best Song: “Marupok”Composer: Daniella Ann BalagtasInterpreter: KZ Tandingan 2nd Best Song: “Kahit na Masungit”Composer: John Francis and Jayson Franz PasicolanInterpreters: Jeremy G and Kyle EcharriLive performance by: Bugoy Drilon 3rd Best Song: “Ibang Planeta”Composer: Dan TañedoInterpreter: Zild 4th Best Song: “Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap”Composer: Kenneth ReodicaInterpreter: Davey Langit featuring KritikoLive performance by: JM Yosures featuring Kritiko 5th Best Song: “Kulang ang Mundo”Composer: Daryl CieloInterpreter: Sam Mangubat Special AwardsMYX Choice for Best Music Video: “Marupok”Composer: Danielle BalagtasInterpreter: KZ TandinganMusic Video Director: Geloyellow/ Gerard Lopez Most Streamed Song: “Kahit Kunwari Man Lang”Composer: David MercadoInterpreter: Moira dela Torre and Agsunta TFC’s Global Choice: “Tinadhana Sa’yo”Composer: SJ GandiaInterpreter: Zephanie MOR Entertainment Choice Award: “Tinadhana Sa’yo”Composer: SJ GandiaInterpreter: Zephanie Himig TikTok Choice Award: “Tabi Tabi Po”Composer: Mariah MorionesInterpreter: JMKO

After besting thousands of song entries from songwriters all over the country and with her composition “Marupok” being named Best Song in the country’s biggest songwriting competition, composer Danielle Ann Balagtas revealed the story behind her winning Himig 11th Edition composition.“Nung sinusulat ko yung kanta, actually yung title yung huling huling pumasok sa kanta. I’m a storyteller. Nagsusulat muna ako ng storya tungkol sa isang babae, yung experience niya dun sa relationship niya, kung paano siya nag-grow. Anfd then there was this line na huli ko sinulat. Dahil alam ko na relevant yun hindi lang sa akin dahil first time ko ma-feel na naging marupok ako sa isang lalake, pero dahil marami din sa henerasyon ko ang nakakaramdam paano maging marupok, paano yung babalik at bababa yung pride niyo sa isang lalake na hindi kayo pinapahalagahan. At gusto ko yun maging symbol sa isang babae na kahit siya naging marupok ay lahat tayo may kapasidad para mag-grow at para maging empowered na woman,” she shared.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/3/24/fresh-scoops/kz-tandingan-reveals-how-himig-handog-saved-her-ca-192458'>KZ Tandingan reveals how Himig Handog saved her career: ‘I thought it was over for me’</a>

Himig 11th Edition winning songwriter Danielle Ann Balagtas talks about her collaboration with singer KZ Tandingan. 

‘Marupok’ songwriter Danielle Ann Balagtas calls KZ Tandingan the ‘ideal interpreter’ | PUSH.COM.PH