The year has been a very busy one for theater actor Vien King, who headlined the OPM musical Liwanag Sa Dilim earlier this year closely followed by another major musical Side Show which opens this month. The 29-year-old artist was also proud to release his very first single "Isa Pang Habang Panahon” under Star Music last March. Vien talks to PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about his experience working with award-winning producer and Star Music head Jonathan Manalo.
“After my meeting with Sir Jonathan Manalo, sabi niya because they love the song, they also wanted na lagyan pa ng music video kasi ang meaningful din kasi. Grabe, sobrang chill niya — very helpful, supportive — talagang ang dami niyang magagandang ideas kung paano ma-po-promote ‘yung song. And sobrang grateful ako sa kanya kasi nung first namin pinitch ‘yung song, na-appreciate niya agad and then he said, ‘Let’s do this. Let’s make it work.’ So sobra akong thankful sa opportunity na binigay niya sa akin dahil first time ko mag-release ng single,” Vien shared.
“I think many people, kapag narinig nila ‘yung song, talagang makaka-resonate sila dun sa song. Kasi mahilig tayo sa mga hugot eh (laughs). Ang ganda-ganda kasi ng pagkaka-compose ni Kiko Salazar — who also wrote ‘Akin Ka Na Lang’ ni Morisette — so talagang excited ako sa music video na ito. Mas lalong magkakaroon ng picture yung mga tao sa kung ano ‘yung story ng kanta,” Vien said.
The music video for the single, which was shot just last month, was an unexpected acting challenge for Vien, who initially thought there would only be a lyric video for the song. “Sobra akong na-excite kasi itong music video na ito is not the usual thing na parang i-li-lipsync ko ‘yung song. It’s more on acting acting talaga. Sobra akong na-surprise. I didn’t expect this kasi pagpunta ko sa shoot, baon kung baon talaga, hugot kung hugot talaga. It tells the story of ‘yung meaning nung song. Kaya na-excite ako sa music video na ‘yun under Star Music,” he explained.
Vien also talked about his experience working with Star Magic artist Sheena Belarmino, who played his leading lady in the music video. “I’ve never met her before that pero napanuod ko na siya. Napanuod ko siya sa One More Chance and sa Next to Normal din. Hindi pa kami nagkaka-work together, dito pa lang sa music video and ang nagustuhan ko sa kanya — kasi no doubt na ang galing niya na actress — talagang dive in talaga agad siya. And comfortable kami agad sa isa’t isa. Kasi sabi ko ‘yung storyboard, medyo mahirap. Kailangan ng someone na very open talaga kasi hindi puwede maging awkward ‘yun eh. They just explained to us kung ano ‘yung mangyayari. Siyempre nag-ask ako kay Sheena ng consent kasi may mga medyo sweet moments and away and all. Okay naman siya. Dun ko siya na-appreciate. I manifested after this music video ma-release, that it will open doors for more opportunities for both of us sa acting sa film,” he admitted.
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Watch Vien King in Side Show the musical which starts its run on July 26 until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. The cast also includes Jon Santos, CJ Navato, Vien King, Reb Atadero, Tim Pavino, Tanya Manalang, Marynor Madamesila, Krystal Kane, Molly Langley, Joshua Cabiladas, Marvin Ong, and many more. Directed by Toff De Venecia and produced by The Sandbox Collective.