As we wait for KZ Tandingan’s ‘Gabay,’ let’s look back to the Disney hits performed by Filipino artists
Representation matters. That goes to all facets of media and arts, including music. That is why the news about KZ Tandingan singing the first-ever Disney song in Filipino language is such a big thing for the country. Not only will the film giant again showcase a local talent, it will also give a glimpse of the beauty of our language to the international stage.
Filipinos have great affection for Disney songs, particularly “A Whole New World” and “Reflection” compared to other hits. Yes. These songs possess nice tunes with a message to match. But more importantly, Filipinos love these two songs because of the voice of Tony award-winning Filipina actress Lea Salonga.
Fast forward to the 2010s, the list of Filipinos singing for Disney continues to grow.
So as we look forward to the release of KZ’s “Gabay” on March 5, 2021, the same day premiere of Disney’s latest animated feature “Raya and the Last Dragon,” here is a refresher on Disney musical acts featuring Filipino voices. These performances prove that when it comes to singing, Filipino artists don’t just have the pipes for the job, but also the heart and passion to make magic through music happen.