We’ve all had that one friend who’s fallen so questionably in love with someone (or we may have been that friend). That painfully oblivious friend who, even with red flags already slapping them in the face and sirens wailing in their ear, is still frustratingly choosing to stay with who we deem to be the wrong person.

If you need a way to gently call them out and snap them out of it—dishing out real talk without sounding too harsh—let Kaia do it. 

Their latest single, pointedly called “Tanga,” talks all about the experience of being a little too naive in love. The light pop track, infused with a touch of ’90s R&B, was written by singer-songwriter Zack Tabudlo, precisely with the five girls of Kaia in mind.

And if you think of it as a follow-up to the bubbly “Walang Biruan,” you’re right. Kaia leader Angela shares it was exactly that song that led the “Binibini” hitmaker to write “Tanga” for the group.

“Napakinggan ni Zack ’yong ‘Walang Biruan’ and nagustuhan niya. Tapos nagkaroon kami ng conversation na nagustuhan niya ’yong music direction namin, so sabi niya gusto niyang makipag-work sa’min,” Angela says.

“Si Zack talaga ’yong nagbigay ng magiging theme ng kanta,” Charlotte adds, saying the singer-songwriter sent them a demo of the song. 

The girls gush over their first time listening to Tabudlo’s demo: “Habang pinapakinggan namin napapa-vibe na kami. Nagtanong pa nga siya, ‘nagustuhan niyo ba?’ Nagtanong pa talaga siya kung nagustuhan namin, pero ’yon pa lang to work with him, kahit ano pa ’yan, we’re very very happy,” Angela shares.

“At the same time, parang kinabahan din kami, kasi parang, paano namin papantayan ’yong ganda ng demo na ’yon?” Sophia adds. “Parang ganon ’yong worry namin, na what can we do para malagay ’yong character [namin] do’n?” 

Aside from penning the new track, Kaia shares that Tabudlo was also hands-on and detailed in the track’s production. In a release, the group shares, “He encouraged us to be looser and freer in creating our own ad-libs and melodies. Zack also introduced us to new styles and techniques, which made the experience even more exciting. Seeing how he works and how effortlessly he brings a song to life was truly inspiring.”

In an interview with Scout, the girls share the lines they found most relatable and what traits they consider red flags.

The song is very relatable–I can say for myself that I can relate to it too, at some point in my life, haha! I’m curious about what parts or lines in the song were most relatable to you?

Charlotte: ’Yong “sabi nga ni mama,” ’yong verses namin ni Sophia. Kasi parang for me, based on my own experience, may mga people na naka-surround sakin to guide me sa any life decisions ko, mapa-love man yan or in life in general. Grateful ako na merong mga taong ganon. Itong mga ates ko, ganon talaga sila sakin, nagbibigay sila ng advice sakin as the bunso of Kaia. So parang ayon, ang dami kong natutunan, kasi ’yong mga experience nila sa life shine-share din nila sa akin. 

’Yong part na ’yon, hindi lang siya sa parents or sa mom natin. [It’s] anyone na nag-gi-give sayo ng advice, you should be grateful na nandiyan sila for you.

Charice: Siguro po ako, ’yong sa line ko, ’yong sa part na, “matagal ko nang napapansin, minsan ay nagpipigil, kasi nga ayaw ko na masasaktan kita.” [Na-re-relate ko] sa ibang parts ng life ko kasi matagal ko nang napapansin ’yong mga red flags, hindi napapansin na issues, isinasantabi na lang. ’Yon nga eh, dahil sa love mo sa ginagawa mo, pinipigilan mo ’yong sarili mo na i-express ’yong frustrations mo, kasi mas iniisip mo ’yong ma-fi-feel ng other person. Pero in reality, ikaw ’yong nasisira o nasasaktan.

Angela: Ako siguro ’yong “ayaw ka ng lahat pero nandito pa rin ako.” Diba, kasi, minsan ’yong choice natin, hindi nakakaganda, ang makakakita lang niyan ’yong mga tao sa paligid mo. Kasi you’re blinded sa thought na ’yong tao na ’yon mahal mo, magbabago siya, pero parang you have to step back para makita mo ’yong situation mo na parang, ah, ito na pala ’yong situation ko, kailangan ko nang umalis. 

Siguro ’yon din ’yong pinaka naka-relate ako. But I’m thankful for those people na nag-re-remind sa‘kin to move on and to let go of people na hindi good for me.

Alexa: For me personally, ’yong line na, “Sino bang niloko ko, alam kong hindi ‘to totoo.” Kasi it reminds us na hindi lahat ng nakikita mo is totoo talaga. And dapat aware ka sa mga ganong situation. Kasi minsan may mga bagay na akala mo, tama pala, pero hindi na pala siya healthy for you.

Sophia: For me, ’yong, “sa loob hindi mo matago, hindi makuntento.” Kasi ang hirap magmahal ng taong hindi makuntento. Ikaw ’yong mauubos. I think maging lesson na lang din for everyone to always choose yourself first. Kasi if you spend your time and everything in a person na hindi naman makukuntento, do’n magsisimula ’yong feeing mo hindi ka enough, bakit hindi ako ganito, bakit hindi ako ganiyan. Love yourself first.

Since the song also refers to those moments where we ignore red flags, what does Kaia consider as red flags?

Charlotte: Madali kasi akong ma-turn off eh. So ’yong pagiging disrespectful mo to anyone, even sa animals. Kasi ’yong pagiging respectful mo sa ibang tao do’n kasi nag-re-reflect kung ano ka talaga as a person. So for me, ayokong hayaan na mangyari sakin ’yon, na magkaroon ng moment na ma-di-disrespect ako in any way. Ayokong mangyari yon. Kaya for me, if disrespectful ka sa maliliit o malalaki na bagay, you’re a no-no. Red flag!

Charice: ’Yong red flag ko ’yong kapag decided ka na to leave, do’n sila nag-e-effort lalo. Parang… binibigyan ka nila ng hope pa na magbabago pa sila. Super red flag ’yon. Hindi mo hinahayaan ’yong tao na makalaya na from you.

Angela: Ako, ’yong madalas mag-lie. Kahit pa sabihing white. Walang color ang lies. Nagsinungaling ka pa rin. So ’yon pa lang, pinili mo nang i-break ’yong trust ko. Ako kasi, pag nag-trust ako sa isang tao, sobra-sobra. Kaya kahit simple lie lang, mahirap na ako magtiwala ulit. So ’yon ’yong pinaka-red flag sakin. 

Alexa: Actually same eh, kasi ayoko talaga ng lies. Kasi white lies, lie pa rin ’yon. And ’yong nag-ki-keep ng secret.

Sophia: For me red flag talaga ’yong di ka tinatanong kung puwede ka bang maging girlfriend or boyfriend. ’Yong walang label. Kasi do’n talaga nagsisimula lahat ng misunderstandings. Do’n nagsa-start lahat ng confusion in relationships.

***

Kaia, who just recently celebrated their third anniversary, is expected to release an EP this year. Their recent track “Tanga” is a glimpse into the musical direction the group will be exploring soon.

“’Yong kantang ’to, para ’to sa mga nagpapakatanga. Pero hindi kita ina-attack ha, gusto ko lang maalala mo na you deserve more,” leader Angela says to their fans (Zaia) on behalf of the group. “You deserve the love that you give. Don’t waste your time questioning ’yong self-worth mo. It’s very important to love yourself first, to spend time with the people na talagang pinipili ka. Piliin mo ’yong sarili mo, at piliin mo ’yong mga taong pinipili ka. Tulad namin, Kaia. We love you guys!”