MANILA, Philippines — Now a 16-year old aspiring artist, The Voice Teens Philippines season two grand champion Isang Manlapaz grew up a lot personally and professionally. Armed with a new look and a record deal with MCA Music, Isang is taking on the OPM scene with her debut single “Okay Lang Yan.”
“Para akong nasa langit,” she says of all the opportunities that have come her way since she won the show. “Para pa din akong nananaginip kasi kailan lang hanggang singing contests sa barangay at school lang ako. Iilan lang naniniwala sa akin. Naiiyak ako tuwing naaalala ko lahat ng pinagdaanan ko to get here. I’m so thankful to God for all the blessings He gave me.”
Written by Kevin Yadao, “Okay Lang Yan” is a mid-tempo R&B track that reminds listeners that life isn’t a race. Everyone does things at their own pace. It’s alright to cheer and clap for others until it’s your time to shine.
Isang knows what it’s like to be on the sidelines, waiting for your dreams to come true. Whenever she lost one of the singing contests she entered back in the day, she was forced to watch as someone else took home the top prize. But instead of feeling bitter or sad, she would remind herself to keep believing because she was sure her time would come.
When it did, Isang put her best foot forward despite her nerves. “Nung una nag-aalangan sa pag-adjust sa song. Sobrang kabado ako kasi first ko yun,” she says of the recording session for “Okay Lang Yan.”
Isang got the hang of things by focusing on the meaning of the song and what it meant to her personally. She shares that the song struck a chord within her because it fits what people are going through these days, what with the ongoing pandemic and all. According to Isang, the song made her realize that it’s alright to cry and feel pain, especially when you’re going through a tough situation. Because at the end of the day, “magiging okay din ang lahat,” as she put it.
For his part, Kevin felt Isang did a great job at bringing the song’s lyrics to life. Before she went into the studio with him, she studied them very carefully. She wanted to be sure to get its message across to whoever would listen to it once it was released. When the session was over, Kevin left the studio amazed and inspired by what Isang did with the song.
“She interpreted it well,” he says. “She didn’t just sing it, she owned it.”
Isang hopes the song will inspire people to be strong.
“I’m claiming na madaming makaka-relate sa song na ‘to. I know there are people who really need it, like those who are going through a rough time. Sana matulungan sila ng kantang ito to think more positively. In life, may times na matatalo tayo, pero may times din naman na mananalo tayo. Kaya dapat hindi ka panghinaan ng loob. Magpatuloy ka sa susunod na kabanata ng buhay mo. Hindi uso ang sumuko, kapatid. Laban lang ng laban sa hamon ng buhay!” she says.
Isang’s debut single “Okay Lang Yan” has just been made available on all digital music platforms, but the newly-minted recording artist is already looking forward to releasing more new material in the future. She’s eager for more chances to grow, learn, and touch people with her music.
Listen to “Okay Lang Yan” below: