Filipino American recording artist Thomas Orlina has released “Magsayaw Na Tayo,” a Tagalog-language P-pop song that draws on his family, Filipino heritage and advocacy for greater representation in music.
The title translates to “Let’s Dance Now.” Orlina said he wrote the song to celebrate joy, togetherness and the Filipino language through contemporary pop music.
“This project is much bigger than me,” Orlina said. “It’s about representation, family, culture and showing that Filipino stories deserve to be celebrated on the world’s biggest stages.”
Orlina, who was born and raised in the United States, wrote “Magsayaw Na Tayo” with his parents, Tomas and Josephine Orlina. He said the collaboration made the project especially meaningful.
“Working on this song with my parents is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life,” he said. “This project will always be part of our family’s story. It’s my love letter to the Philippines and to the memories we’ve shared together there.”
Robert Eibach, a Grammy Award winner, engineered the song. Christopher Espinoza, known professionally as Yungchriisbeats, produced it with MELT Music.
Orlina said he hopes the release helps introduce more listeners to Filipino artists, stories and culture. He also describes the song as a first-of-its-kind full-length Tagalog P-pop release by an openly queer Filipino American male solo artist.
The Fil-Am singer has supported mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ inclusion and Asian American and Pacific Islander representation throughout his career. He said those commitments continue to shape his music.
With “Magsayaw Na Tayo,” Orlina said he wants listeners to find both a reason to dance and a connection to the culture that inspired it.
Watch and listen to Thomas Orlina’s “Magsayaw Na Tayo” on YouTube.
