Angela Ken did not foresee that her song, “Ako Naman Muna,” which she recorded on Tiktok, will be her passport to a showbiz career. Because of it, the young singer has been offered to join the group Squad Plus along with KD Estrada, Sam Cruz and Anji Salvacion. Of course, Ken accepted.
“Ako Naman Muna” has gone viral on TikTok with over 1.3 million likes as of writing.
“Parang unexpected naman po talaga. Nakakataba po ng puso na pinagkatiwalaan nila ako at binigyan ng oportunidad na ipakita ang talent ko, ‘yung totoong personality ko po sa (harap ng) maraming tao,” Ken said during the online conference for the launch of the group on April 19.
(It was sort of unexpected. It warms my heart that they trusted me and gave me this opportunity to show my talent, my true personality before a lot of people.)
“Ako Naman Muna” has indeed brought Ken success and positive feedback.
“Siguro ang pinakatumatak sa akin, simula pa lang noong scratch pa lang ‘yung “Ako Naman Muna,” ang daming nagsasabi na ‘ay, malayo ang mararating ng batang ‘to,'” she recalled.
(Maybe, what I would remember the most is, when “Ako Na Lang Muna” was just in scratch, a lot of people were saying, “This girl will go far.”)
That boosted Ken’s confidence and her self-trust, especially as the song has been inspiring OFWs. The song speaks of their pain while working abroad. For Ken, the song recognizes the many sacrifices of OFWs and hopes to give them comfort.
“Oo, pagod ka na pero hindi ka nag-iisa. Nakikita ko po na maraming OFWs na talagang nami-miss nila ang pamilya po nila na nandito sa Pilipinas. Nalulungkot po sila kasi ang feeling nila ay nag-iisa po sila doon. Physically po, aminin nating nag-iisa sila doon pero nasa puso po ng bawat Pilipino ang pamilya nila,” she explained.
(Yes, you’re tired but you’re not alone. I see that a lot of OFWs miss their families in the Philippines. They’re sad because they feel that they are alone there. Let’s admit that physically, they’re alone there, but right in the heart of every Filipino is family.)
Ken also wrote the song to help spread hope amid the already-troubled times due to the pandemic.
“Bakit pa ako makikisabay sa problema ng mundo kung puwede po akong gumawa ng paraan para mabigyan ng hope ang mga tao?” she asked.
(Why should I add to the problems of the world when I can instead find a way to give hope to people?) JB
RELATED STORIES:
More than just a celebrity daughter: Sam Cruz joins singing group Squad Plus
Anji Salvacion credits her Squad Plus break to timing and prayers