OPM pop band The Juans continues to expand its storytelling through music as the group releases the music video of their single “Ngiti,” starring rising loveteam Dustin Yu and Bianca de Vera, today, April 25, 2026.
Dustin and Bianca are known for their uniname DustBia.
"Ngiti" is included in The Juans’ album Tawid, released in September 2025.
Read: The Juans share how faith sustains their 10-year journey
How DustBia became part of the project
Speaking to Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) on April 22, 2026, Carl shared that the idea of casting Dustin and Bianca started as early as November last year.
Read: Dustin Yu settles the real score with Bianca de Vera
Elaborating: "So, isa talaga sila sa mga top of mind namin. Nakalabas na sila nun ng PBB.
"But then during that time, medyo difficult din dahil nagshu-shoot sila ng movie for MMFF [Love You So Bad] nun.
"So kaya sa dami ng twist and turns ng journey nitong short film, it's a miracle na nakuha namin sila after three or four months.
"Na-delay na yung production and everything, pero we're happy that finally we're able to get them."
Read: Dustin Yu speaks out on handling bashers and protecting his peace
The collaboration became easier when the band discovered that Dustin and Bianca were already listeners of The Juans.
Carl recalled that Dustin once posted a photo using "Ngiti" as background music—an interaction that sparked their first connection.
"Malaki rin yung naging tulong nila para makakuha namin sila.
"So, even as far as convincing their management, you know, speeding the process, talagang they're involved to make the project happen.
"I remember November last year, nag-post si Dustin ng photo niya, tapos "Ngiti" yung ginamit niyang song.
"So, doon kami unang nagpakiramdaman. Panang, 'Uy, baka naman yung music video na yan.'
"So ayun yung nag-trigger, I think, ng first reaching out namin sa isa't isa. First connection, kumbaga," he stated.
Beyond star power, the band praised the pair’s dedication to the project.
Carl said: "Maraming challenges man kaming pinagdaanan, sila yung talagang sumagip nitong project na ito. And we're grateful for them.
"Another thing that I wanna highlight is kung paano nila ginalingan for the role, if you've seen the trailer.
"Pero kumbaga, for them this is not just a music video. Kinareer nila ito. And tumatagos talaga sa screen yung eagerness nila to create a different output."
He added, "Kaya din nasasabi ko na this is probably the best output of The Juans yet."
THE JUANS ON CREATING THE CONCEPT OF MUSIC VIDEO
In terms of conceptualizing the music video, Carl said the team wanted to emphasize the emotional depth of the song rather than focus solely on romantic or “kilig” moments often associated with viral music videos.
"When I was ideating the concept, I really wanted to bring depth doon sa song, kasi normally ginagamit niyo yung song sa TikTok, ganun para sa mga kilig moment.
"And that's really beautiful because magaan siya, di ba? But then we know from the songwriter himself na may lalim yung kanta.
"Hindi siya parang ngiti kasi nakita mo yung crush mo. Ngiti siya dahil may pinagdaanan ka, and finally after going through that journey you can now find a reason to smile.
"So intentional for me na laliman yung kuwento. Humugot nang malalim."
Read: Carl Guevarra Shares Past Heartbreaks with Friend
The band went through three different story concepts before settling on one that fully captured the message they wanted to deliver.
Their goal: To create a narrative that resonates with listeners who turn to The Juans not only for love songs but also for emotional comfort.
He stated: "So, it took us about three concepts, tatlong try bago kami nakarating sa concept na happy kami lahat.
"We wanted to make sure na tatagos ito sa audience namin. Kasi nga, yung audience din naman namin, hindi naman din sila yung for the kilig, para kiligin lang.
"Sila yung may pinagdaanan. Na parang, 'Gusto kong makinig ng The Juans because kailangan kong umiyak today or kailangan ko ng song na mare-resonate yung nararamdaman ko.'
"So, we want it to be true to who we are. Again, just like what I said, it's purposeful. It's intentional. We want to connect and to relate. So ayun yung naging guideline doon sa paggawa ng kwento.
"Na nasaan ka man sa buhay mo, whether masaya ka, hindi ka masyado masaya, may pinagdadaanan ka, hahanap at hahanap ka ng dahilan para ngumiti."
"I think it's our first time also doing something like this.
BIANCA AND DUSTIN GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF "NGITI" MV
Meanwhile, for Bianca and Dustin, being chosen to headline the music video of Ngiti was both a meaningful and memorable experience.
Bianca shared that while the music video carries emotional weight, the atmosphere behind the scenes was filled with genuine joy.
She narrated: "Sobrang saya lang because kung titignan niyo yung music video, medyo, it's happy but at the same time may kalungkutan din talaga siya, which I think everyone is really looking forward to.
"Because yun naman talaga yung isa sa mga core ng The Juans, di ba, hugot.
"But, you know, when we were shooting the whole time, we were just talagang big smiles namin doon.
"Yung ngiti namin doon, it was all genuine. It was raw because they really made us so happy.
"I mean, the band, they're such beautiful souls. And sobrang saya lang nila makatrabaho."
Read: How Bianca de Vera solved beauty concerns inside Bahay ni Kuya
For Dustin, the project stood out because it went beyond the usual concept of a music video.
He admitted that they did not initially expect the music video to evolve into such an emotionally layered project.
"For me, hindi lang siya basta music video e. It's a short film for me, for us.
"Kasi malalim yung kwento e. Kung mapapansin niyo, title niya "Ngiti," pero maybe nakakalungkot, nakakatuwa, nakakakilig.
"So, parang ang lalim ng storya. Hindi namin inexpect na magiging ganun yung music video na ito," he said.
Read: Did Dustin Yu and Bianca de Vera hard launch their relationship?
"Ngiti" marks DustBia’s second collaboration in a music video project, following their appearance in "Kinakabahan," a 2025 release by the OPM band LILY, formerly known as Callalily.
A song born from hope and healing
More than just a romantic visual, the band described "Ngiti" as a deeply intentional project centered on healing, emotional recovery, and finding light after pain.
For The Juans member Japs Mendoza, "Ngiti" was written with a clear emotional purpose.
"So yung 'Ngiti,' about siya sa finding comfort sa mga maliliit na bagay," he said.
"Parang kapag may pinagdaraanan ka, minsan yung progress ng healing mo hindi naman grand, like biglaan na okay ka agad.
"So unti-unti siya. Minsan sa simpleng ngiti, e, sign na yan na parang nakaka-recover ka na and nagkakakulay na ulit yung world."
He added that the song acknowledges pain before reaching happiness.
"Yung pinaka-story po ng 'Ngiti,' so yung contrast niya is may pinanggalingan talaga siyang pain bago siya nakangiti.
"So nandoon po yung lalim. So, I want new listeners na parang maiisip nila yung mga bagay na gustong nilang iwan tapos magkaroon sila ng bagong reason para ngumiti," Japs added.
The Juans is known for their “hugot” and “mapanakit” songs, as often described by their fans.
Among their viral hits are "Hindi Tayo Pwede," "Hatid," "Ano Ba Talaga Tayo?" "Dulo," among others.
Read: How The Juans deal with heartbreak—and how fans can, too
With this, PEP asked how "Ngiti" differs from their previous releases in terms of sound and storytelling.
According to band leader Carl Guevarra, "Ngiti" carries a more hopeful and upbeat arrangement, but it still reflects the band’s signature hugot music.
He explained: "It's tempting to say it's so different, but in reality, whenever we write songs, it's always a balance of heartbreak, hugot, but also hopeful songs.
"We're just grateful that this time, nagkaroon ng spotlight sa songs na gaya ng 'Ngiti,' because since we started writing songs, may mga songs kaming gaya ng "Ngiti," na pang-in love, ganun.
"Pero ngayon, nagkaroon ng spotlight yung mga magagaan naman ng songs.
"So I wouldn't say it's different, but it's a good opportunity to highlight the other songs that we write about as well."
Read: Kean Cipriano not on good terms with former bandmates: “Callalily is done.”