WATCH: Maris Racal honors her Bisaya roots in song written with Rico Blanco

Image: screengrab from YouTube/Maris Racal

Maris Racal proudly showed off her Bisaya roots in her new pop track “Asa Naman,” which she co-wrote with her boyfriend, singer Rico Blanco.

The official music video for the song shows the actress-singer preparing for a date, only to be stood up. Racal then walks around a camper vehicle while singing about the frustration of not seeing a special someone, as seen on her YouTube channel yesterday, Sept. 15.

“Asa Naman” features Tagalog verses and a Bisaya chorus. It was arranged and produced by Blanco, who also co-directed the music video with Racal.

Racal’s choice of language for “Asa Naman” is a nod to her hometown, Tagum City, in Davao del Norte, she said in an Instagram post today, Sept. 16.

“Lumaki akong nakakapakinig ng mga Bisaya songs sa jeep at mga tricycle (I grew up listening to Bisaya songs in jeeps and tricycles) while strolling in the streets of Tagum, Davao, and Cebu. I was always amazed how they’re all so catchy and the lyrics were always witty,” she recalled.

Racal added she is grateful to have been able to contribute to the Visayan pop movement “in [her] own little way.”

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A post shared by Maris Racal (@mariesteller)

Racal confirmed her relationship with Blanco last May. Prior to “Asa Naman,” the two collaborated on several songs together, such as “Abot Langit” in 2019 and “Not for Me” in 2020. The actress’ song “Ate Sandali,” which was released last June, was also produced by Blanco.  /ra

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