Rising singer-songwriter dwta links up with SB19’s Justin for a striking new collaboration, “Sampung Mga Daliri,” a folk-pop lullaby that captures the degradation of a love that was once formidable and promising.
Released under Sony Music Entertainment, the track reimagines the classic Filipino nursery rhyme into a poignant tale of doomed romance, with no way to save it.
“Sampung Mga Daliri” deals with the heartbreaking realization that love is no longer enough to make two people stay together. The song eloquently shows how the simple act of holding hands loses its meaning when there’s no one left to hold.
According to dwta, “Sampung Mga Daliri” was an unfinished track that she was working on in 2023. An opportunity to revisit the draft came when she met Justin at a gig at Cozy Cove last year, prompting the idea of pitching a collaboration with him.
“I thought it was a long shot, but I asked my team if there was any chance we could work on something together,” says the award-winning Bicol-based act. “Even before it was confirmed, I was already looking through my notes, trying to find a song that would match both our voices or maybe even writing something new. That’s when I stumbled upon ‘Sampung Mga Daliri.’ It felt like the song was calling me, so I picked up my guitar, rewrote it, and finally finished it. I actually gave them two other options, but ‘Sampung Mga Daliri’ just felt right. It was the one.”
The collaboration came as a pleasant surprise to Justin, who was immediately drawn to the song’s emotional depth. “Aside from being labelmates under Sony Music Philippines, when I heard ‘Sampung Mga Daliri,’ it immediately felt like the right fit,” admits Justin. “Out of all the songs sent to me, this one really stood out. It had something special.”
While their busy schedules prevented them from recording together in person, both dwta and Justin worked closely throughout the creative process. The two attended online meetings, fine-tuned the song, and ensured that their connection came through in every note.
“After everything, we finally got to bond in person during shoots and trips, and that’s when I really got to know him,” shares dwta. “You know how famous people can sometimes feel intimidating or hard to approach? Justin’s the total opposite. It’s like working with a sibling from a different parent. We just clicked, both musically and personally.”
Produced by dwta and frequent collaborator Brian Lotho, “Sampung Mga Daliri” draws inspiration from the haunting arrangements of The Paper Kites’ “Bloom,” but with a distinct twist that reflects both artists’ unique sound. The result is a stunning, emotionally honest song that explores brooding vulnerability, something dwta and Justin had yet to explore in previous releases. The track allows them to push beyond their comfort zones, creating something fresh, evocative, and deeply moving.
As dwta puts it, “Since our styles are pretty similar and we share the same vision for the song, it was easy for us to agree on every idea we pitched. The whole process came together so smoothly. I’m really happy with how it turned out in such a short time.”
To introduce their new collaboration, dwta and Justin recently debuted the unreleased song live at the 10th Wish Music Awards on January 19, 2025. Ahead of the release, both artists teased the song’s arrival, sharing snippets of the “Sampung Mga Daliri” chorus on their respective social media channels on January 16 and 18. The teaser included a compelling single cover, where from a window, Justin tries to reach for dwta’s hands, only for her to be reluctantly disengaged—an image that perfectly captures the song’s theme of love slipping through your fingers.
In addition, dwta has been releasing a series of live performances called “dwta series: Magka-Ibigang,” that tie into the narrative of “Sampung Mga Daliri,” offering fans a deeper look into the song’s story before its official release. This heartfelt collaboration marks a new chapter for both artists, as they explore the delicate balance of love and loss through music.
“Sampung Mga Daliri” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video on dwta’s official YouTube channel. Stay tuned for the short-form miniseries featuring dwta and Justin on the former’s YouTube and social media pages.
