Ben&Ben reclaims chart dominance with viral smash “Lifetime (Reimagined)”

“For this version of Lifetime, we felt that we could be there for someone in their pain, longing, and yearning through these new lyrics and melodies. There’s a deep sense of gratefulness in our hearts for how people have received the song so far. We’re very humbled, and we promise to keep working hard in writing and performing music that connects deeply with Liwanag, our listeners.” ~Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben reclaims chart dominance with viral smash “Lifetime (Reimagined)”

The song has reached No. 4 on Spotify Philippines Daily Top Songs Chart, and is expected to hit a new peak in the coming days.

Award-winning Filipino folk-pop group Ben&Ben has returned to the top of the streaming charts with the release of "Lifetime (Reimagined)" under Sony Music Entertainment.

With a No. 3 debut on the Spotify Top Songs – Global and a No. 4 peak on the Spotify Philippines Daily Top Songs Chart, the new version of the well-known ballad caused a stir overseas.

The updated version of "Lifetime," which debuted on March 31, 2026, has gained renewed success on digital media due to its virality on TikTok. The new verse, "How do you cry for a love that doesn't even exist?" has been the focus of a recent increase in social media trends. Since then, it has attracted attention, particularly the videos that feature characters from popular movies and TV shows and have received over 100 million views.

[WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO]

[STREAMING LINKS HERE]

The song's rapid rise to the top 5 in the Philippine streaming rankings has made Ben&Ben the top OPM group on Spotify Philippines for the first time since December 23, 2024. In addition to its growing list of achievements, the song has reached No. 1 on Genius Lyrics Charts.

“Lifetime (Reimagined)” features a new arrangement with additional verses, an instrumental break, and a bridge, resulting in an extended duration of four minutes and thirty-seven seconds. The song was written by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin, with the latter serving as co-producer alongside Jean Paul Verona.

Ben&Ben’s “Lifetime (Reimagined)” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. 

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Ben&Ben - Saranggola (Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition)

“Saranggola is inspired by the ever-changing seasons amongst a group of friends. It is about the fleeting nature of youth and the reality that while we may not always be ready for change, we eventually learn to embrace it. What has passed becomes something worth appreciating, both in the present and in hindsight. Coming from just having recorded and worked on a whole album, the experience of working on this song came by fairly smoothly. Everyone focused on their own experience of what this song means to them, while maintaining a balance between melancholy, nostalgia, energy, and grit.” ~Ben&Ben shares in a collective statement

Fresh off the success of their heartfelt ballad “Tomorrow With You,” Ben&Ben returns with “Saranggola,” a moving tribute to the enduring power of friendship amidst life’s inevitable changes.

Exploring themes of nostalgia, emotional connection, and change, the anthemic song reflects on cherished moments shared with friends while acknowledging the inevitability of growing apart. But amidst shifting seasons and distances, the track affirms how love and respect remain steadfast.

The song made its debut this week in an episode of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition and will be featured in the upcoming deluxe edition of The Traveller Across Dimensions, set for release in 2025.

The song made its debut this week in an episode of Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition and will be featured in the upcoming deluxe edition of The Traveller Across Dimensions, set for release in 2025.

Written by Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin, and arranged and produced by the whole band in collaboration with long-time friend and producer Ziv, “Saranggola” marks a graceful return to form: reminiscent of their earlier works, yet imbued with the artistic depth and growth that they’ve nurtured over the years.

The multi-awarded band takes a minimalist approach at the outset with just an acoustic guitar, a cajon, and all nine members singing in unison, before gradually building into a soaring, guitar-driven jam worthy of a barkada sing-along.

Beyond the music, the track holds deep personal meaning for Ben&Ben. As they describe it, the song symbolizes their shared journey of “listening to the winds of fate and grasping the present moment.”

The nine-piece collective adds, “It's a reflection of the years we've spent together thus far and a reminder of the importance of every now and then going back to and rediscovering your roots.”

Ben&Ben’s “Saranggola” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Keep an eye out for the release of the song's visualizer on the band's official YouTube channel at 6 pm.

 

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Ben&Ben leads heartwarming video campaign for Robinsons Malls, featuring the hit anthem “Araw-Araw”

Ben&Ben, in partnership with Robinsons Malls, has launched a video campaign to mark the grand opening of Liwanag House, the newest concept store.

Set to the uplifting tune of Ben&Ben's hit song "Araw-Araw,” the video follows the award-winning band members as they explore the various corners of the mall while experiencing love, joy, and happiness every day within the familiar comforts of #OurFavoritePlace.

From indulging in delicious meals to hitting the shops for retail therapy, the campaign highlights the diverse offerings that make Robinsons Malls the perfect place to create memorable everyday moments.

Robinsons Galleria is currently the homebase of Liwanag House, where the nine-piece act plans to hold special activities and personalized experiences for their fanbase, as well as provide special launches for exclusive releases and limited-edition merch. Ben&Ben also wants Liwanag House to be a place for community-driven gatherings where everyone feels heard, valued, and welcomed.

Ben&Ben recently serenaded the music fans with a jam-packed concert at the atrium of Robinsons Galleria on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The band performed some of their most notable chart-topping smashes, including the now-viral “Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay” and their new single “COMETS,” which dropped a few days ago on all digital music platforms.

The video campaign is available now on YouTube. Watch it here.

Ben&Ben hopes to uplift the world with acoustic version of “Courage”

“The past few months have been mentally tough for the band, with challenges surrounding us and driving us to low points and times of discouragement. These valleys have been the inspiration for Courage. We realized that, as visceral as the feeling of being hopeless may be for us, we wanted to channel it into an uplifting piece of music because it is something a lot of people are going through now but have a hard time verbalizing. We went back to our roots for this one, wherein we let the reverberations of the acoustic guitars envelope the harmonies we did for the vocals. We kept it simple for the first release of Courage because we wanted to get the message of the song to our listeners as soon as possible. Then, we’ll build it up together as a band as the weeks and months go by, and you’ll be hearing more of it as it happens.” ~Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben asserts the power of surviving personal setbacks in life with another inspiring anthem. The Filipino band encourages listeners to reach for their dreams and goals in life despite dealing with personal tribulations.

 

The Filipino folk-pop outfit dedicates the stripped-down version of their new song “Courage (acoustic version)” to the dreamers who are struggling to pull up the strength to confront an unforgiving world.

Out today via Sony Music Entertainment, the stripped-down number is penned by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin and produced by frequent collaborator Jean Paul Verona, who wanted to focus on a back-to-basics approach while commanding the listener’s attention in every conceivable way—from the powerful lyrics down to the warm melodies.

 

Taking a confident stride back to their distinct brand of intuitive intimacy, Ben&Ben’s “Courage (acoustic version)” offers a compelling snapshot of their journey as individuals and artists, one that isn’t necessarily perfect and full of wins but always clings on to perseverance and courage in a bid to make the world a better place to live in.

 

Ben&Ben looks forward to recording and arranging the final version of the song in the coming weeks. According to the nine-piece collective, this is the first time in their career that they’ll be premiering the track in a form that usually only the band members hear, which is the stripped-down version.

 

Ben&Ben has recently made headlines for bagging seven nominations at the 2023 Awit Awards, including the following categories: Song of the Year, Best Performance by a Group Artist, Best Pop Recording, Best Alternative Recording, Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording, and Music Video of the Year. The Paninindigan Kita act is currently on a world tour, with remaining stops in Sydney and Dubai this month.

 

Ben&Ben’s “Courage (acoustic version)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

 

 

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Ben&Ben teases fans with cryptic billboards across Metro Manila

Cryptic billboards and posters alluding to a new Ben&Ben release have recently appeared in strategic locations all over Metro Manila.

The material, which contains discarded film photos with texts exposing some personal thoughts, is said to be part of the lyrics of an upcoming Ben&Ben song to be released sometime next week.

A few days ago, the nine-piece Filipino collective tweeted what looks like a snippet of a lyrics offering an intimate take on the painstaking process of letting go.

Ben&Ben also dropped a performance video of “Stand By You,” featuring Indonesian superstar Pamungkas. The collaborative visuals, which was recorded earlier this month at SoundCheck Studio, has racked up more than 220,000 views as of press time.

Set to conquer the international stage with their first North American tour, the Paninindigan Kita music act will be performing in iconic and key venues across nine cities in the US and Canada—ahead of their send-off concert on September 3 at the CCP Open Grounds.

Ben&Ben captures fearlessness in pursuing romance with 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita”

Ben&Ben captures fearlessness in pursuing romance with 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita” 

Ben&Ben captures fearlessness in pursuing romance with 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita”. The song marks another chapter in the band’s career with its incredibly effortless songwriting and anthemic pop sound. Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben marks a new era in music with the release of their 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita.” Written by Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, the upbeat pop song captures the fearlessness of fighting for someone you love despite the disapproval from the people around.

“It is also an ode to a lover that might be hesitant to take a step forward in the relationship. It's a heartfelt song that gives a balance between understanding where the lover is coming from, and a gentle reassurance that the one singing the song is ready and sure, after learning a lot so far about life and love.”

Expressing persistence in pursuing romantic love, “Paninindigan Kita” hits the emotions even more majestically with layers of melodic guitar lines, dazed harmonies, and deft arrangements. With the help of their long time producers and friends, Jean-Paul Verona and Sam Marquez, the track soars in mythic spectacle while maintaining a pop-leaning sound.

“We really wanted to be unapologetically ourselves and let our natural tastes flow deep into the core of the song arrangement.”

“Paninindigan Kita” holds a special place in the band’s catalog, with it being the first song that they recorded in an actual studio since the pandemic started. Ben&Ben made the entire song at Spryrta, the same place where they recorded their multiplatinum full-length album, Limasawa Street.  

“A definitely memorable part of the whole recording was doing the whole song in the excess of a day, working from 10am to 6am and rushing to the airport to catch a flight to Cebu only a few hours later.”

It’s worth noting that “Paninindigan Kita” sounds incredibly effortless as far as songwriting and creating melodies are concerned. This time, Ben&Ben takes pride in bringing to life their emotions though a song, and celebrating how universal some stories are, regardless of its specifity in details.

“We were able to block out the noise and focus on simply speaking to our Liwanag. As compared to before, we're a bit more open in the way we speak, and we're a bit more bold and confident with our attitude towards the subject of love, especially because the writer has matured and gained a deeper understanding of how love works.”  

This year, the nine-piece ensemble hopes to share their music more to a global audience. With “Paninindigan Kita” marking an entirely different phase in creative and goal-setting terms, Ben&Ben is all set for bigger things in their career moving forward. 

“Paninindigan Kita” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

Ben&Ben - Lunod Music Video + EP Release + Themed Cafe

“The music video is a deeply introspective and symbolic interpretation of the song, which is all tied in together from the concept and writing, down to the location. In the video, the song is narrated as the band, with Zild and juan karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath, then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Lead vocalist, guitarist and Lunod chief songwriter  explains

Ben&Ben - Lunod Music Video

Ben&Ben chronicle the experience of drowning in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of their new single “Lunod.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Sana Dati), the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel.

“We love collaborating with visionaries in their fields, and so it was a dream working with him. The multiple versions for ‘Lunod’ were intended to bring a full listening experience to our listeners; for them to hear what more could be brought out of the song. We decided to release for streaming the acoustic jam of ‘Lunod,’ the extended version in the music video.” ~Ben&Ben

Ahead of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators Zild and Juan Karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is part of an exclusive EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in various formats, including an extended version of the track.

Aside from the EP, “Lunod” received a remix treatment from hip-hop artist Zelijah, who channeled his struggles with mental health on the production level, and even added a rap verse to convey the mental strains that he went through during the pandemic, and after being diagnosed as bipolar. The “Bipolar remix” of the track gives Zelijah the opportunity to put his own character into the song, and reinterpret it with ethereal sonic elements that blend trap, hip-hop, modern electronica, and rock music genres.

Apart from the “Lunod” EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which will run from November 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art activities related to mental health.

The Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café features several exclusive activities for Liwanag and ordinary folks to immerse themselves into Ben&Ben’s critically acclaimed album and upcoming digital concert. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC.

Music fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. Set to redefine the concert-going experience with the biggest headline concert of their career, Ben&Ben’s upcoming digital concert will be integrating live music performance with multiple creative disciplines such as theatre, dance, orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle like no other. 

Ben&Ben’s “Lunod,” featuring Zild and juan karlos, is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here. 

“Lunod” collaborators Zild and juan karlos are also set to join Ben&Ben on Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, happening on December 05, 2021 (Sun) from 8pm to 11pm. Get your tickets here.

Ben&Ben reunite with Moira on the confessional ballad “Pasalubong”

“It isn’t so common anymore today to say what you mean. So I love that after a whole song of poetry, we end with the simplest but scariest lines to say…. Gusto Kita. For Pasalubong, we built it from the original song and added elements to it while in the car on our way to the Ben&Ben house.” ~Moira

After working together last year for the heartwarming ballad “Paalam,” which has reached more than 40 million streams on all combined music platforms, Ben&Ben and Moira are reuniting again for a song that captures the intensity of deep longing and persistent desire.

Their second collaborative single “Pasalubong” is a romantic confessional that drips with unapologetic sentimentality:  a song that is defenseless in its yearning and honesty, hoping that one’s profession of love will be received and reciprocated. 

Written and produced by the band and Moira, with arrangement from Ben&Ben’s very own percussionist Andrew De Pano, the folk-pop tune encapsulates the beauty in sparseness, and the magic in turning an outpour of emotion into a generation-defining anthem.

According to Ben&Ben, the song was inspired by the double meaning behind the title, which is a term that is commonly used to refer to a gift, and a word that could also mean to meet. 

“The track is a play on both these meanings.”

Moira adds that the song’s impact radiates on a universal level, simply because it shows bravery and honesty despite the odds. 

Andrew reveals that he was tasked to oversee the production side of the material, relying heavily on the weight of the word as basis for the arrangement and the overall vibe. 

“A big immediate difference from the usual Ben&Ben sound is the way the guitars sound, and the absence of most of our usual elements in the beginning. There was a major effort to really embody and project emotions of waiting and uncertainty and longing, and the ‘bass drum’ sound that is present throughout the song is meant to symbolize those times we get so caught up deep in thought that we end up hearing our own heartbeat.”

For their part, multi-awarded singer-songwriter duo Moira and Jason Marvin Hernandez helped finish the lyrics and added lines that give the material its enduring pop appeal. 

Together, both Ben&Ben and Moira interpreted the heart-wrenching nature of the material with precision and character. They made the song both timely and timeless, with every flow punctuated by unwavering vulnerability, and every word cutting deep and beautifully. 

“With Moira and Paolo’s evocative vocal performance and the band’s emotional execution of Andrew’s arrangement, Pasalubong is a song that will certainly bring up all kinds of feelings, and hopefully will give people comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their frustration and longing,”

In terms of delivery, Moira is very particular with the tone being conversational, as if telling a friend about her day or sharing the story to a lover. She also commends Andrew for being hands on in the studio, guiding her in every step of the way.

“He has this crazy way of making something complicated, seem so simple. There’s this pitch where we used the 7th note for the last chorus which I thought was genius— that was all Andrew.”

“Pasalubong” is the third single off Ben&Ben upcoming sophomore full-length album to be released next month. The song is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch out for the music video premiere on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel this July 30, 2021 at 6:00pm, Friday.

Ben&Ben to light up Manila skyline with first drone show

“The first and probably the most immediate reason why we accepted this project is because it merges different forms of art with technology to create a one-of-a-kind experience for our audience. Some of us have experienced drone shows before, but only set to pre-existing songs and records. The opportunity to actually score and record the music and live performance to one such show was something we could just not pass up on.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Vocalist and Guitarist

Ben&Ben is set to make the impossible possible by headlining The Inevitable Drone Show—the first of its kind to feature a music performance with drone lights show illuminating the Manila skyline in a synchronized fashion.

Presented by SMART 5G, the eco-friendly and innovative show will surely grab headlines as Rizal Park and its nearby areas will get to experience the modern lights show LIVE on February 26 (Sunday) at exactly 7pm. It will also simultaneously air on Ben&Ben’s official Facebook page.

Ben&Ben’s percussionist Andrew De Pano takes pride in the fact that the nine-piece outfit are also involved with the visual aspects of the drone show, and not just the music itself.  

“The mere fact that it’s a drone show is definitely a first big difference,” Andrew says. “We also had to base our music performance solely on a storyboard, which was a new experience compared to the usual scoring of a commercial with more or less final video footage to reference off of. We hope that with the work we put into it, the audience experiences the story of our song Inevitable, set to a unique visual experience that even we are especially excited for.” ~Andrew De Pano, Ben&Ben’s Percussionist

     

To accompany the picturesque storytelling in the sky, the award-winning Filipino collective will be performing an extended version of “Inevitable”—the acclaimed song that was used as a soundtrack and a music score for SMART 5G’s romantic sci-fi TVC featuring Korean drama superstars, Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin.

For their part, Ben&Ben immediately said yes to participating in this initiative that explores the creative possibilities of aerial entertainment, easily becoming the first Filipino band to mount a drone show.        

The Inevitable Drone Show is a collaboration between SMART 5G and Ben&Ben.

‘Inevitable,’ the song that Ben&Ben will be performing is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

An ‘Inevitable’ Pairing: How Ben&Ben’s music made it to Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin’s TVC for Smart

“Inevitable is a song that tries to describe the nature of fate, and how all our actions somehow lead us to some better place that is destined for us. It’s also a song about being real with someone, and that no matter how scary that may seem at times, there is freedom in baring your truest nature with someone dear to you, even if that someone is yourself.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Ben&Ben lead singer 

Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin

While it was important for Smart to grant the wishes of its subscribers when it comes to bringing consumers closer to their foreign idols, the latest Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin TVC presented an opportunity to put a Filipino band behind the soundtrack and musical scoring.

Here’s where Ben&Ben comes in, providing “Inevitable,” the song that is heard in the background while Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin pursue each other in this romantic-sci-fi TVC.  

With lyrics inspired by real-life events, Ben&Ben members simply happen to be CLOY fans as well. In a collaboration set to motion by the band, Smart, and Sony Music, things started falling into place when it came to lending soundtrack and musical score for this collaborative campaign.

“The songwriting in itself presents a concept of the state that is both a surreal mystery and a peaceful certainty, so we wanted to create an aural representation of what these lyrics felt like. Our process started with a mix of acoustic guitars, which I tweaked with sitar effects as the main intro riff; kind of like a representation of the two contrasting feelings working together.” ~Miguel Benjamin 

About the Smart 5G Campaign

The TVC, which serves as a joint project top-billed by Korean drama stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, is part of the new Smart 5G campaign to make what seemed impossible, possible. 

From “The Captain Has Landed” to landing into each other’s arms, Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin took chemistry to a whole new level in the Smart 5G TVC as they chase each other on the road and through different dimensions only to meet again just as Bin asks, “Do you believe it’s possible?” To which Ye Jin replies, “I do!”   

Smart has put together Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin together in one project for the first time much like the latest development with Smart 5G, which has started enabling subscribers to do groundbreaking things we thought we couldn’t do. 

Ben&Ben

The TVC was even made more powerful thanks to Ben&Ben’s “Inevitable” complementing the top-tier material. 

Ben&Ben surprise listeners with Valentine’s-themed track “Inevitable”

“Inevitable is a song that tries to describe the nature of fate, and how all our actions somehow lead us to some better place that is destined for us. It’s also a song about being real with someone, and that no matter how scary that may seem at times, there is freedom in bearing your truest nature with someone dear to you, even if that someone is yourself.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Llead Vocals and Acoustic Guitars of Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben

Filipino folk-pop outfit Ben&Ben has officially dropped a soaring new single called “Inevitable” this Valentine’s Day via Sony Music. Inspired by recent events surrounding the band’s lives, their latest song encourages listeners and music fans to live in the moment freely and truthfully without the need to succumb to expectations. 

“The songwriting in itself presents a concept of the state that is both a surreal mystery and a peaceful certainty, so we wanted to create an aural representation of what these lyrics felt like. Our process started with a mix of acoustic guitars, which I tweaked with sitar effects as the main intro riff; kind of like a representation of the two contrasting feelings working together. We then built everything around this contrasting union with Jam’s drums and Agnes’ bass carrying the steady base of the song, and then Pat’s piano, Poch’s electric guitar and pads, Keifer’s violin, Andrew and Toni’s percussions; Andrew, Miguel, Poch, and Toni’s backing vocals, and some ambient sounds.” ~Miguel Benjamin, Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitars of Ben&Ben

Ushering into a reinvigorating sense of calm, the empowering track ascends to a place where love can be inevitably beautiful even in its simple, unassuming terms. It was written by Paolo Benjamin (lead vocals and acoustic guitars) during a random afternoon run by the beach near the place where Ben&Ben live—coming into fruition after a solitary moment spent with nature and the spiritual force above him.

Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben

Production-wise, Ben&Ben retain the sonic hallmarks of their prior releases, while employing ultimately rewarding experiments in texture and tone. Its ‘world music-meets-acid jazz’ sound displays the band’s newfound musical direction, melding sporadic bursts of colors with their otherworldly approach. Thanks to the song’s eclectic blend of sitar-sounding riffs, propellent rhythms, jazzy chords, and ethereal arrangements, the nine-piece band ventures beyond the confines of their radio-ready sound without alienating the distinct pop sensibilities that made their songs streaming and crossover hit in the Philippines, and elsewhere in Asia.

“With this song, however, we decided to record a demo individually then went to record our parts a few days after without knowing how the song would sound like in the end. During the time we were creating the song, one of our bandmates, Toni, was also recovering from major surgery and had to record her parts from home. Thankfully she was able to send her parts on time with the help of our producer.” ~Poch Barretto, Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals of Ben&Ben

Ben&Ben

Unlike their usual process where the members of the band jam their song a few times before recording the material, “Inevitable” was born out of a shift in production perspective. Despite the several challenges during its recording phase, “Inevitable” ended up reaping significant attention before its actual release. The song eventually made it as the official theme of Smart Communications’ newest commercial ad featuring Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin—stars of the highly acclaimed and popular Korean drama, Crash Landing on You. 

Ben&Ben’s “Inevitable” is out now all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Ben&Ben releases Kintsugi-inspired video for “Di Ka Sayang”

“During the planning of the video, things came together in a very organic kind of way and we thought it fit the concept perfectly. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of piecing together broken parts of pottery with gold glue. By doing this, brokenness is made whole in a way that is much better than it previously was. Our percussionist Andrew even has a tattoo of ‘wabi-sabi,’ which is the Japanese philosophy of accepting and finding meaning in the imperfections in life and nature. We really saw Kintsugi as a powerful way to represent self-acceptance.”  ~Paolo Benjamin, Ben&Ben Vocalist and Guitarist

Ben&Ben

Following its massive debut on Friday, Ben&Ben’s “Di Ka Sayang” continues to spread its winsome streak as it drops the official music video on November 9, Monday at 6pm. Helmed by Jorel Lising, the band’s frequent collaborator and the director behind their hits “Pagtingin” and “Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin,” the visual accompaniment of the song follows the band performing in random intimate spaces with ‘Kintsugi’ artform as the backdrop.

Ben&Ben’s new single “Di Ka Sayang” managed to surpass expectations when it trended at No.1 worldwide on Twitter and debuted at the top spot of Spotify Philippines’ top 50 overall chart upon release.

According to vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin, the inspiration behind the pottery repair method as the binding theme came from their production designer, Ms. Dianne Khu. 

Ben&Ben’s new single “Di Ka Sayang”

Honoring the importance of embracing one’s flaws and accepting brokenness as something that you need to display with pride and not hide, the song sends a vital message to listeners who are going through difficult challenges in life, especially with the pandemic crisis taking a toll on everyone’s mental health. 

“This year has been the toughest year for many people from our generation, and a lot of us are in this state wherein a lot of plans, dreams, hopes, and goals were compromised, cancelled or rather ‘sayang.’ Even for us personally as a band, we had a hard time dealing with these same struggles. What we wanted to share however, is that we are never alone in our hardships, and that there is still hope in a better tomorrow.” ~Miguel Benjamin, Ben&Ben Vocalist, and Guitarist 

Ben&Ben

This Wednesday, Ben&Ben will be releasing a special BBTV episode on their YouTube channel, which to date has more than 1.2 million subscribers. The award-winning nine-piece collective will also be performing at Lazada SuperShow 11.11 on November 10 (Tuesday) and at Wishbus Exclusive on November 12 (Thursday).

The music video of “Di Ka Sayang” is now available on YouTube. 

Ben&Ben hopes to empower listeners with massive new anthem “Di Ka Sayang”

“Migs and I were having a conversation on our career choices and how hard it was to fight for who we really are and what we want to do in life, amidst societal and family expectations. A year later, we decided to release it, at a time where we feel it is most timely, with everything tough going on, and with many of our dreams being crushed by the pandemic and other circumstances.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Guitarist and Vocalist 

Ben&Ben's “Di Ka Sayang”

Filipino folk-pop outfit Ben&Ben marks a definitive new era in music with the release of their new single, “Di Ka Sayang,” out this November 6 (Friday) via Sony Music. 

Now more confident than ever with their newfound direction, the nine-piece collective drops an empowering anthem that respects individuality without prejudice.

Empowerment in the face of adversity

According to guitarist and vocalist Paolo Benjamin, “Di Ka Sayang” was inspired by a conversation with his brother Miguel Benjamin in a hotel room last year during one of their out of town shows. 

Inspiring confidence and fearlessness in the face of adversity, the MTV Europe Music Awards-nominated band confronts everyday challenges of life with light and motivation. But instead of perpetuating the erasure of our collective struggles, their song “Di Ka Sayang” encourages listeners to get out of the rut and be in charge of their own decision matters, no matter the costs.

A massive statement

Written by Paolo and Miguel Benjamin and produced by Jean Paul Verona along with lead guitarist Poch Barretto, percussionist Toni Muñoz, keyboardist Patricia Lasaten, and violinist Keifer Cabugao, the anthemic rocker arrives with a massive statement: tribal beats and esoteric details that evolve into a soaring, pop-rock production, but whose unrelenting energy and sonic ambition feel like a natural progression from their past releases. 

Pat Lasaten recalls how the arrangement and production of “Di Ka Sayang” challenged the team to have fun and explore an entirely new world of possibilities in terms of lyrics and musicality. 

“Our goal from the start is to create a vibe and sound like no other song of ours before: one that would immerse the listener into the message of the song, and into a mood that we wanted the message to be experienced in.” ~Pat Lasaten 

This creative mindset allows Ben&Ben to hone their trademark sound without rethreading into past themes and venture into ideas outside of their comfort zones, especially now that the band has all the time to make new music under one roof. 

“We've also been exploring new soundscapes and writing about themes other than love and heartbreak, and we've been having a lot of fun in the process. Liwanag, and everyone who listens to us can expect more of these things to be shared to anyone who is willing to listen lot of fun in the process. Liwanag, and everyone who listens to us can expect more of these things to be shared to anyone who is willing to listen.” ~Miguel Benjamin, Vocalist and Guitarist

“Ben&Ben’s “Di Ka Sayang” is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.