Actress-singer Maymay Entrata. Ganiel Krishnan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Actress-singer Maymay Entrata is turning pain into purpose as she opens a deeply personal chapter in her music career with the release of her newest single.
The track, titled "Masunog Man," is set to drop on January 8, 2026.
In an exclusive interview, Maymay shared that the song was born from the grief of losing her mother last year, a loss that reshaped both her life and artistry. After nearly a year without releasing new music, the singer said she felt ready to tell her story, this time, in her own words.
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“Sobrang excited kasi kumbaga mag-isang taon din ako bago mag-release ng kanta. Super excited po ako dahil very hands-on po ako dito kasi nanggagaling siya dun sa karanasan ko two years ago, kung paano ako magmahal dun sa mga mahal ko sa buhay, lalo na sa nanay ko,” Maymay said.
Maymay revealed that she co-wrote the song herself, making it one of her most intimate works to date.
“Isa po ako sa mga nag-compose nitong 'Masunog Man.' Nanggagaling po siya dun sa pain na nararamdaman ko two years ago. Nagre-represent po siya na kahit masakit, I still choose to keep going. Pinili ko pa rin pong magmahal,” she explained.
The singer also opened up about choosing to grieve in private when her mother fell ill, a decision that led her to step back from work and public life at the time.
“Nung nalaman ko po na may sakit yung nanay ko, pinili ko po na hindi siya sabihin sa publiko. Importante po sa akin yung privacy ko. Hindi po ako tumanggap ng projects kasi lahat ng oras ko binigay ko sa nanay ko,” she shared.
During that period, Maymay admitted she faced criticism and hurtful comments from people who were unaware of the quiet battle she was fighting.
"May mga taong nagsasabi ng hindi maganda sa akin. Hindi ko sila sinisisi kasi hindi naman nila alam. Hindi nila alam na I chose to fight nang tahimik. Pero syempre, tao din po ako," she said.
The emotions behind 'Masunog Man' are reflected in its powerful imagery and lyrics about walking through fire, pain burning inside, yet choosing love over regret.
“Parang yung mga masasakit na salita, yung mga masasakit na nangyayari sa buhay ko, nasusunog siya sa loob ko. But still, I choose to keep going. I still choose to love… mas pipiliin ko pong masaktan kaysa mamuhay akong puno ng pagsisisi,” Maymay said.
She confirmed that her mother passed away in May last year, shortly after her birthday, following a battle with cancer. While the pain remains, Maymay said grief has become a part of her life rather than something she needs to let go of.
“Feeling ko hindi na mawawala yung grief. Yung pag-miss ko sa kanya. Pero tinanggap ko na magiging parte na siya ng buong buhay ko and okay lang po ‘yon,” she said.
Beyond singing, Maymay also took on a bigger creative role for the project. She shared that she was involved in conceptualizing the music video and even co-produced the track.
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Looking ahead to 2026, Maymay said she is embracing both her music and acting careers, no longer feeling the need to choose just one path.
“Na-realize ko po na pwede pala silang sabay. Music, acting kung alin man ang mauna, doon ako magfo-focus. Pero ngayon, in-embrace ko na po silang pareho,” the actress-singer said.