Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) — Filipino-American musical director Troy Laureta showcases “a different aspect of love” in his latest project featuring LGBTQ+ artists Jake Zyrus and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s star Valentina.
Zyrus and Valentina star in the music video for the cover of kundiman song “Kung Kita’y Kapiling,” which is part of Laureta’s album “Giliw: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 2.”
“Kundiman is something that I always love and ‘Kung Kita’y Kapiling’ is super classic. It talked about a love, you know, wanting to be with someone until death and you know, loving them,” Laureta told CNN Philippines’ New Day.
“I just really wanted it to be beautiful and with the video to showcase a different aspect of love that maybe the Philippines and Asia are not so used to,” he added.
Laureta also said that casting Jake Zyrus and Valentina shows that representation of the LGBTQ+ community matters.
“We wanted to showcase something not so typical. To have a transman and a non-binary queen like Valentina in this video, I think having that representation is super important, especially in these times,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zyrus said he felt comfortable working with Laureta as the producer is aware of what songs would fit his voice after his transition.
“Ever since I transitioned, I actually do enjoy singing these kinds of music. I feel like nung nag-transition din ‘yung boses ko, comfortable akong kantahin itong mga awiting na ito. Talagang close po talaga siya sa heart ko,” he said. “I trust Troy, alam niya ‘yung songs na babagay sa boses ko.”
[Translation: I feel like when my voice also transitioned, I’m more comfortable to sing these kinds of songs. These are close to my heart. I trust Troy, he knows what songs would suit my voice.
Valentina, on the other hand, is hoping that their collaboration project would help people appreciate diversity.
“I really would like this to be a performance and a poem to the world to show diversity and that we are here and that we matter, in a beautiful and sincere love story between two very diverse artists,” she said.
