Maki. Image: Shaira Luna via Instagram/@clfrnia_maki
Describing himself as “OA,” Maki admitted that he cried after finding out that “Dilaw” rose to the top of Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charts, saying he was overwhelmed by the positive response to the song.
Maki topped the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charts for three consecutive weeks with “Dilaw,” and is the first artist to achieve the feat since its inception earlier this month. He also maintained his top spot on the Billboard Philippines Top Philippines Songs chart for three consecutive weeks.
“Seeing my name on the charts and the top of it, it’s a good day to celebrate OPM,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Taguig. “Umiyak [ako]. As in OA po talaga ako, umiyak ako… It’s really something that I will never forget even [kapag naging] matanda ako, that I was the first to be on the top of the Hot 100 charts.”
(Seeing my name on the charts and the top of it, it’s a good day to celebrate OPM. I cried. As I am really OA. I cried. It’s really something that I will never forget even when I turn old, that I was the first artist to be on the top of the Hot 100 charts.)
The singer-songwriter shared that he “mostly does music” because it’s his passion. But seeing his name along with artists whom he “adores,” on the charts is proof of the thriving OPM scene.
“I just mostly do music for music. Grabe ang love ng mga tao, especially for the OPM scene. Ang dami kong kasama sa charts whom I really love and adore as a musician as well. [Proof siya na] thriving and sobrang alive ng OPM and I’m just glad to be part of it,” he said.
(I mostly do music for music. But I’m thankful for the public’s love, especially for the OPM scene. I’m with artists whom I really love and adore as a musician. It’s proof that OPM is thriving and it’s alive. I’m just glad to be part of it.)
‘Motivation’ to do more
Maki said his recent milestone inspired him to “do more” as a musician while hinting that the rest of the year will be a “colorful” one for him.
“Mas nagkakaroon ako ng motivation to do more. I believe that when I work on something, I always do the best that I can,” he said. “[I want to be] an inspiration to the next generation. When I was singing sa isang show, a lot of kids were cheering for me and kinakanta ang songs ko. I really got inspired because of that kasi I’m becoming a part of their childhood.”
(I am more motivated to do more. I believe that when I work on something, I always do the best that I can. I want to be an inspiration to the next generation. When I sang in a show, a lot of kids were cheering for me and singing my song. I really got inspired because of that, it’s like I’m becoming a part of their childhood.)
WATCH: Singer-songwriter Maki admits that he’s overwhelmed with the positive response to his song “Dilaw” after it topped the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 charts for two consecutive weeks. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/e0lEyR2myz
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 17, 2024
When asked if he knew that “Dilaw” would be successful, Maki said he didn’t expect that it would perform strongly, but he knew it would make a mark on the public.
“No,” he said. “But I knew from the start that when we wrote and produced this song, it would create an impact on a lot of people especially those who lack self-esteem and self-love. Ang daming nagtatanong kung kanino [ang kanta]. So noong lumabas ang song, sinabi ko na it’s for myself.”
“Gusto kong pakinggan ng mga tao in a perspective na kinakantahan nila ang sarili nila,” he continued.
(No. But I knew from the start that when we wrote and produced this song, it would create an impact on a lot of people especially those who lack self-esteem and self-love. People ask me whom the song is for, but it’s for myself. I want people to listen to it with a perspective that they’re dedicating it to themselves.)
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Maki said he wrote “Dilaw” in August 2023 but waited for the right time to have it released. The singer-songwriter is also known for his hit songs “Saan?” and “Kailan.”