KZ Tandingan sings Disney’s first Filipino song, ‘Gabay’

KZ Tandingan has been chosen to sing Disney’s first-ever song in Filipino, “Gabay,” which will be part of the soundtrack of the upcoming film Raya and the Last Dragon.

“I am very grateful and I feel very proud to be singing in my language, and show off its beauty to the rest of the world. I am proud to be part of history,” KZ said.

“I grew up watching Disney movies. Finally, there is a Disney Princess who I can feel a very strong connection to, and that is Raya as the first one inspired by Southeast Asia,” she added.

Set in the fictional land of Kumandra, the film follows Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), who looks for the last mythical dragon Sisu (Awkwafina) in the hopes of putting a stop to the sinister monsters that have turned the people of her kingdom into stone.

The film is Disney’s first to draw from Southeast Asian culture – and the soundtrack includes music representing various countries in the region.

“Raya and the Last Dragon is inspired by various Southeast Asian cultures and, as such, we found it fitting to launch ‘Gabay’ as a way for us to celebrate the film and connect with our Filipino fans,” said Allie Benedicto, studio marketing head of Disney Philippines. “‘Gabay,’ the first-ever Disney track sung in Filipino, demonstrates our commitment to work with local creative talents to tell our stories in a locally relevant manner.”

“Gabay” is a song about trust, strength, and unity, which KZ found inspiring when she read the lyrics for the first time. “I love that the song reminds us that sometimes we feel we are weak, especially when we are alone, but if we just learn to trust each other, to come together, and to unite, only then are we able to change the world,” she said.

The song is set to be released on Spotify on March 5, with a music video premiering on Disney Philippines’ Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Raya and the Last Dragon is set to premiere in 2021. – Rappler.com