Dilaw is on a roll as one of today's hottest acts in the local music scene.
The six-piece rock band from Baguio has been dominating Spotify Philippines in various categories.
They hold the record for the biggest single-day stream for an OPM song with 694,337 daily streams, and bagged the top spot on the Viral-50 Philippines playlist of the popular platform.
Read: Moira dela Torre’s most-streamed songs on Spotify
Dilaw also topped the Billboard Philippines Songs for three straight weeks.
All these recognitions wouldn't have been possible without the success of the monster hit "Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)"—the romantic ballad released in late 2022 that put the group on the map.
"Uhaw" charmed listeners with its unique blend of melodies and lyrics that talk about love and yearning.
Needless to say, "Uhaw" changed the band's fortune, both as individuals and as a unit, and along came the joys and challenges of fame.
STRIKING GOLD
Like most hit songs, "Uhaw" came to life in the most uneventful of ways.
The song was written during a drinking session by Dilaw and Vie, and was later recorded by the two.
Wayne Dela Rosa (bass), Leon Karlos Altomonte (guitar), En Altomonte (keyboards), and Tóbi Samson (drums) soon joined the duo to beef up the live sound.
The track was re-recorded—this time with a full band set up—featuring tweaked arrangements that included speeding up the tempo and a stronger ending.
It was this version that would capture the hearts of the public
Reflecting on its chart-topping success, En attributed the song's "summery" vibe despite its November launch as a key factor.
Guitarist Vie, meanwhile, pointed out the song's "catchy" melody as the clincher.
"I also think there’s some luck. I think luck is a factor when you’re in this industry," Leon told reporters on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Teatrino in San Juan City.
The event was held to promote Dilaw's latest single "Orasa" under Warner Music Philippines.
Leon added, "There are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of musicians releasing songs every day, and each of them is talented enough to deserve recognition.
"So there’s always an element of luck involved when songs reach that wide of an audience and it’s something we’re grateful for."
HARD ACT TO FOLLOW
With "Orasa," the band displays its versatility and knack for infectious melodies that make people listen.
"Orasa" has a lot of hit potential, with the chorus alone guaranteed to stay in one's head repeatedly—a formula that works brilliantly for a pop tune.
However, the band acknowledges that topping "Uhaw" and duplicating its enormous success is a tall order.
"Oo, meron [pressure], kasi naiisip mo rin, e. Nakagawa ka na ng ganung kanta tapos ano pa yung mga susunod," vocalist Dilaw told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
He continued, "Hindi mo talaga maiiwasan yun, e. Darating at darating yung oras na pag tahimik ka na o nag-iisa ka na, maiisip mo yun, na ang laki masyado nung kanta, ang laki talaga, solid na laki.
"Pero makakagawa pa kami ng isa pang ganun [a hit song like "Uhaw"] siguro, so let’s go."
Vie interjected, "Saka yung pressure, nag-a-apply yun sa lahat ng kanta at sa bawat artists na kilala namin.
"In fact, sa amin mismo nakaka-pressure siya. Pero yung pressure na yun, nagsisilbi siyang drive para ituloy namin yung ginagawa namin."
ALL IN FOR THE RIDE
Dilaw is among the busiest bands out there at the moment.
Life away from their home turf of Baguio and playing constantly from one place to another can get overwhelming at times.
Finding pleasure in simple things keeps the band grounded.
For Leon, that's "performing music, playing music live, and being in this sonic space with my band members that we share with the audience."
Vie, meanwhile, enjoys the opportunity to sample cuisines from different locations across the country.
"Yung food na sa iba’t ibang places, na-e-enjoy namin yun.
"Kasi iniisip ng iba na pag nagtu-tour ang isang banda o kung sino mang artists, iniisip nila kapag nagpunta sila sa isang lugar na nakakalibot sila, and na-e-enjoy nila yung tourist spots, which is hindi."
He explained further, "So ang nangyayari is yung closest na puwede mong maranasan sa isang lugar, e, yung pagkain.
"Parang itu-tour ka ng pagkain sa buong time mo sa ibang place. So yun yung pinakapaborito ko aside from performing and rockstaring."
It helps, too, that the band members are good friends. This, along with their remarkable journey from obscurity to fame, serves as a glue that keeps them together amid all the madness.
"We’ve been experiencing the same thing as a collective six for the past five months," mused Leon on how success affected the dynamics within the band.
"We share the same experiences, least favorite experiences, it’s kinda insane how well we know each other at this point."
Continued the amiable guitarist, "Well, to begin with, I think we’re able to function how we do right now because our fundamental relationship and bond with each other are strong."
All the band members took a risk when they got together to play music without a guarantee that they'd make it big in the mainstream.
Leon said, "I feel like whatever happens this year, no matter how big or small, I think our relationship will stay just as strong."