OPM band The Juans gave a new twist to their song “Ako Na Lang” by featuring Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition housemates Brent Manalo and Esnyr Ranollo in its official music video.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, lead vocalist and keyboardist Carl Guevarra explained why the band chose the two.
“After PBB, we really wanted to have a music video with the housemates. We called them. Esnyr has been a good friend of ours since 2021. Nanonood pa siya sa concert namin sa Araneta and kay Brent naman, we reached out to him and isa siya sa pinakamabilis na sumagot ng yes,” Carl explained.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Esnyr Ranollo and Charlie Fleming talk about ‘FaMahal’ and ‘Pamilya De Guzman’
The Juans revealed that they had been friends with Esnyr even before his PBB stint and wanted to showcase his popular “high school universe” series by tapping into his and Brent’s characters.
“We spoke to a lot of students, we wanted to sort of tap into that universe (Esnyr high school universe) of Esnyr and Brent and it was perfect,” Carl added.
During their Tawid live album showcase, fans got an exclusive first look at the music video ahead of its release. Viewers enjoyed the light and sweet chemistry of Brent and Esnyr, which later revealed a surprising twist that drew big reactions from the audience.
Staying true to their “hugot” style, the band explained that the open-ended story was intentional.
“Yung sakit element, of course true to our core, we wanted to not just talk about love but also be realistic na it’s not like always a Disney, fairytale ending but it’s an open ended so we don’t know what might happen if Brent run towards Esnyr or if he is pursuing other person,” Carl explained.
The Juans also teased that “Ako Na Lang” is only the beginning of a bigger project. The music video is part of a trilogy for their upcoming 10th anniversary album Tawid.
“The hope is there will be another music video kasi trilogy po ito,” they revealed to PUSH ABS-CBN.
Before their PBB appearance, Brent and Esnyr had already worked together on Esnyr’s High School Universe series, where Esnyr’s character Precious was Brent’s ex-girlfriend in the episode High School Heartbreak Experience.
Earlier last week, The Juans first teased their reunion online as Precious and Brent for their new music video.
“Mula nung umpisa hanggang ngayon, ikaw pa rin. Ako, pwede bang ‘ako na lang’ din ang piliin? Brent & Esnyr are back together to take us on an emotional u-turn for 𝘼𝙠𝙤 𝙉𝙖 𝙇𝙖𝙣𝙜 music video!” they wrote in a post.
Since premiering on The Juans’ official YouTube channel last August 30, the music video has already garnered more than 353,000 views.
Meanwhile, Brent and Esnyr also expressed excitement at being part of the music video.
On his X account, Esnyr reposted: “So soft for my precious batumbakal, may MV kana!!🥹 Waaahhh malayo pa pero malayo na 🫂.”
So soft for my precious batumbakal, may MV kana!!🥹 Waaahhh malayo pa pero malayo na🫂 https://t.co/tENDZFC9zy
— Esnyr (@esnyrrr) August 23, 2025
He also said: “hi po @brentymanalo :> si precious toh naki-online lang xD BRESNYR AkoNaLangMV OUT NOW.”
hi po @brentymanalo :>
— Esnyr (@esnyrrr) August 30, 2025
si precious toh naki-online lang xD
— Esnyr (@esnyrrr) August 30, 2025
BRESNYR AkoNaLangMV OUT NOW
Brent also posted snaps from the music video shoot: “ako na lang mv out now @thejuansofficial @esnyrrr.”
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Esnyr Ranollo and Charlie Fleming talk about ‘FaMahal’ and ‘Pamilya De Guzman’
The Juans commented, “Grabe yung titig kay Precious! Thanks for being a part of this music video, @brentymanalo 🫶🏻.”