The Beat Manila’s Up-And-Coming: Dream Pop Singer Dana Paulene
The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!
Love has always been a central theme for many songs today, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good love song? But this promising new artist in our latest up-and-coming exclusive stated that, more than personal relationship experiences, love songs can also be born from one’s deepest desires and insecurities.
That’s how singer-songwriter Dana Paulene, came up with her follow-up single, “Akong Ako,” a track that delves into vulnerability and the kind of love that offers reassurance and the freedom to be one’s most authentic self.
The singer opened up about the emotions she unpacked for this new single in a teaser TikTok video, and shared, “May sinulat akong kanta na tungkol sa taong tatanggapin ka even at your lowest point. ‘Yung tipong wala kang make-up, ang laki ng eyebags mo, umiiyak ka sa harapan niya, pero tanggap ka niya. And even more, mahal ka pa rin niya (I wrote a song about a person who will accept you even at your lowest point. A person who will accept you even without makeup on, with your deep eyebags, as you cry in front of them. Even then, they love you all the same).”
The Beat Manila sat down with the talented songwriter to talk about her musical beginnings, how busking paved the way for her songwriting, and the process of creating her latest single.
Busking Through Life
Dana’s musical career began at a very young age, having a theater and classical background. She found herself transitioning from this genre and into busking and street performing only a few years ago.
“At that time, I wasn’t really versed in the busking community. I was living in Taguig City, and there was a bazaar on the ground floor of our condominium. A few people were singing at that bazaar, and my mom was like, ‘Can my daughter sing a few songs?’ And that's really when it started. *laughs* They began giving me gigs outside the condominium bazaar. There wasn’t anyone who inspired me to busk. It's really just the right set of circumstances that led me to it.”
Dana honed her performing skills through song covers, which she also posted online on her YouTube channel and TikTok page. She admitted, however, that she never posted any of her original songs at that time. While busking, she was discovered by Punch Liwanag of Viva Music Group and eventually got signed to the label. It was only then that Dana pursued songwriting more seriously.
“I'm a very sentimental person, so I think it really started at the height of the pandemic when I was struggling to let my thoughts out of my mind,” she told The Beat Manila. “There was really no one to talk to, and so I figured, 'Oh, I can play the guitar, I can also sing. So, why not write songs about them?' That's really when it started.”
When asked about what shaped her songwriting, the singer shared how she always felt like she needed to create rather than cover, and had always craved for originality in her music. “I started realizing that I have a voice outside of covering songs after I joined TV competitions. I realized that I wasn't really finding much connection with the songs I'm singing and that I really wanted to make songs that are that are tailor fit for me. That’s when it hit me that I had to make songs of my own.”
Dana broke into the local music scene with her 2024 debut, “Uod Love Story,” which was a product of the infamous relationship question, “Would you still love me if I were a worm?” The track falls under the folk and dream pop genre, a sound that complements her siren-like vocals. When asked about her musical influences, she replied, “The artists I look up to are mostly local. But if I were to be honest, the artists I really look up to right now are my friends, and I think that’s kind of unique because I believe inspiration comes from the people you are closest to. And so I'm really happy that I have friends that I look up to.”
As for her songwriting essentials, Dana told us that she only needs three things: her guitar, and the voice recording and notes apps on her phone. “There’s a shortcut on my phone for my voice recording app, so whenever I get the inspiration, I just press that button and then it records my voice already.”
Speaking of inspiration, the singer also stated that she has an unlimited supply of it, as it comes whenever and wherever.
“There's really no routine for it. Some people say that in songwriting, you really just have to show up like it's a job. But for me, I don't feel like it has to have a routine. Even if I don't set a time every day, it just comes out of me. It’s just whenever an inspiration hits, which is every day, because inspiration is everywhere.”
On Her New Single
Dana Paulene returns to the music scene with “Akong Ako” this 2025, a song about finding someone who loves you for who you are. The singer gave us a glimpse into how the song came to be and where the idea came from.
“I really just wanted the song to be like a diary entry of some sort, and like I always say in my TikTok videos, it describes a love that brings out the truest, most authentic version of yourself,” she explained. “I wrote that song because I wasn’t very comfortable with showing my face without makeup, and there’s a line in the song that says: ‘Nakita mo na akong nakatitig sa ‘yo, nang walang kolorete sa pagmumukha ko (You’ve already seen me staring at you without any makeup on).’ That was the starting point of that song besides the melody.”
The artist shared that the song came right out of her notes app and that she had been hesitant at first to complete it because it felt too raw. She pitched the song to her friend Joe Castro, the bassist of the band NaÏV, with whom she produced the song.
“He really got my ideas right. I'm really thankful for him because ‘Akong Ako’ is the product of what I wanted the song to be in my mind,” she said.
The new song follows her debut’s heartfelt theme of loving someone unconditionally and authentically. When asked what drew her to write songs about forever and unconditional love, she expressed an interesting reason.
“I think it’s a belief. A friend made me realize that maybe I write these types of songs because this is the type of love that I want to receive. So maybe that’s where it’s coming from.”
From performing on the streets to writing and performing music on stage, Dana is showing us that music is more than just a hobby but a part of her, and she’s only getting started. The singer-songwriter also collaborated with singer-songwriter Earl Agustin and had a duet track on his debut LP, called "Minamahal." She also has a few more songs on standby and is continuously recording and writing music.
“I guess my short-term goal would be to play in big events at arenas,” she shared as we asked her about her plans for the next few years. “But I guess my long-term goal would be to connect to an audience that resonates with my music.”
Dana then reminisced on her most memorable gig where people just started lying down as she performed “Uod Love Story.” “That was a fun experience because I've always wanted to do that! *laughs* In gigs, I try my best to connect with each one of the people who come because I want to feel like it's a community. I just don't want to build a fan base but a community.”
She then ended our interview with a heartfelt message for her avid listeners. “I guess just a genuine thank you. I never thought that I would find an audience that really appreciates me for me. Well, yes — akong ako.”
You can stream Dana Paulene’s music on all major streaming platforms. Follow Dana’s musical journey by keeping updated on her TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.
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