KZ Tandingan to sing ‘Gabay,’ the first-ever Filipino Disney song

KZ Tandingan (Photo from Walt Disney Facebook Page)

by John Legaspi

It’s official. All hail Asia’s Soul Supreme!

KZ Tandingan will sing the song “Gabay,” the first Disney song in Filipino, in celebration of the studio’s newest film “Raya and the Last Dragon.” 

In the past years, many Filipino artists have officially recorded versions of movie theme songs for Disney. We’ve heard Filipino artists’ takes on Disney classics such as Janella Salvador’s “How Far I’ll Go” from the movie “Moana,” Darren Espanto and Morissette’s “A Whole New World” from the movie “Aladdin,” and much recently, Moira’s “Reflection” from the movie “Mulan.”

But with “Raya and the Last Dragon” set in a fictional world called Kumandra, which is inspired by Southeast Asian cultures, it is just fitting to have a rendition of the movie’s theme song in our local language.

Featuring the voice of Asian international stars such as Kelly Marie Tan, Akwafina, and Gemma Chan, “Raya and the Last Dragon” brings Disney’s first Southeast Asia princess, who is on a journey to find the last living dragon to that will help her to stop the Druu monsters that are threatening her land.

The movie is set to premiere on March 5, 2021 on the streaming service Disney +.

KZ Tandingan From Digos City Wins X-Factor

 

KZ Tandingan, a 21-year-old aspiring singer from Digos City/Davao del Sur, who almost lost her voice from a throat problem in high school, was named the first winner of "The X Factor Philippines" last Sunday night at the PAGCOR Theater. Tandingan, an early favorite of the latest ABS-CBN talent search, bested Gabriel Maturan and others during the show's star-studded season finale after garnering 54.77% of the total viewer's votes.

KZ,  former USEP-classmate from my niece Phoebe Ann, visited the University of Southeastern Philippines campus in Obrero, Davao City and was very welcomed by the USEP President, Dr. Perfecto Alibin and thousands of fans.