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Tiana Kocher Talks About Performing the MassKara Festival 2024 Theme Song

Tiana Kocher, alongside SB19's Josh Cullen, performs 'MassKara: Sinadya sa Bacolod,' a song she describes to be as upbeat, bright, and lively as the well-loved fest

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Grace Libero-Cruz

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6bca5d7b-54c1-4f43-beb0-4a90483d3b24_img_4750.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="At the music video shoot for MassKara Festival 2024"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">At the music video shoot for MassKara Festival 2024<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Photo: GStudiosPh  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>This year’s <strong>MassKara Festival</strong> may be over, but its theme song can continue to put smiles on people’s faces. The famous festival, held annually in <strong>Bacolod</strong>, Philippines, happened last October 27, attracting tourists and Filipinos from different parts of the country alike. One notable thing about this year’s celebration is the theme song performed by Los Angeles-based, Manila-born singer-songwriter <strong>Tiana Kocher</strong> and SB19’s <strong>Josh Cullen</strong>: “<strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unAuCNG5wYc" target="_blank">MassKara: Sinadya sa Bacolod</a></strong>.” The song was written and produced by <strong>Marvin Querido</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><p>As both Tiana and Josh are sources of <em>Pinoy</em> pride, their selection to be part of this project is truly meaningful and aligned with the spirit of the MassKara Festival, one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the Philippines. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/9dc5e24f-6f95-4238-ad87-0f60cb2d7afa_img_4746.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Tiana Kocher during the music video shoot</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>When she learned of this unique opportunity, she said it was such a pinch-me moment for her because she had never been to a festival; and, to top things off, she didn’t just attend it, she was part of a beautiful project to promote it. Tiana told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>, “I was truly so honored! One of my biggest goals in life is to show the rest of the world what the Philippines has to offer. Considering that the majority of my audience is based in North and South America, I’m so proud to show them a little piece of my heritage.” </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/b7040406-5e16-4823-b01e-8609c2bbab40_img_4755.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f4e19a13-67f7-4bb8-93eb-d42fa48b7e9c_img_4754.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The theme song of the MassKara Festival 2024, “MassKara: Sinadya sa Bacolod,” reflects the upbeat energy and vibrance of the occasion, which traditionally features a street dance competition that just makes the celebration grander. Tiana commends how “well-thought-out” the song is, saying. “I think the song captures the essence of the MassKara Festival perfectly. It’s very upbeat, bright, and lively just like the festival! I love the use of English and Hiligaynon lyrics to also reach a broader audience.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Josh and Tiana always welcome the chance to learn more about the Philippines, and thanks to opportunities like this, that’s possible in a manner that’s seamless with their craft. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/10713865-a4a7-4846-8a9f-5ea4071e521f_img_4742.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="SB19" s="" Josh="" Cullen="" during="" the="" music="" video=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">SB19&#x27;s Josh Cullen during the music video shoot</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0b361fbb-2944-4f08-832d-71838762a97c_img_4736.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>“Performing the theme song for the MassKara Festival is a new opportunity for me to explore a different side of my artistry outside of SB19 and as a solo artist,” Josh shares. “I hope to bring a fun and vibrant energy that reflects the spirit of the festival. I want to be able to share a piece of my identity while celebrating with the community and the beautiful traditions of Bacolod.”</p><div><br/></div><p>Tiana and Josh filmed a music video for the theme song separately but the output not only encapsulated the meaning of the festival but also showcased the talent and versatility of the two. “Due to conflicting schedules, we actually did not film together but I think we absolutely smashed it,” says Tiana. “I really love how the video and the song came out. Josh is really talented, and I love the flair and energy he brought into the song and video. I would love to have the opportunity to work with Josh again, whether it be working on a collaboration or writing with him and SB19!” </p><div><br/></div><p>Also worth mentioning is that the full production of the official music video of the MassKara Festival theme song was done in collaboration with Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo&#x27;s production house, <strong>GStudiosPh</strong>. <em>Check out the music video below:</em></p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div class="youtube-iframe"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/unAuCNG5wYc?si=M9GE19W8vCLBA8XI" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c10c58a5-4ee1-4c28-baeb-220212f04a83_img_4751.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Tiana says attending and performing at the MassKara Festival, “was everything I imagined and more!” It was, after all, the largest audience she performed to. She recalls, “I must admit it was a little nerve-wracking performing in front of all the people who attended… But once the music started, I was able to shake off all my nerves and perform an amazing song alongside such great dancers! I had a great time meeting new people, watching all the different competitions, and of course, eating chicken <em>inasal</em>!” Tiana likens the vibe of the MassKara Festival to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, as it’s “a celebration of music, food, and culture.”</p><div><br/></div><p>This project is a first for Tiana in more ways than one. Not only did the music video shoot mark the first time she visited Bacolod, but the MassKara theme song was also the first project she ever recorded in the Philippines and the first song she recorded which included a Filipino dialect. Tiana has worked with Grammy award-winning bigwigs like Faith Evans, J Álvarez, Sage the Gemini, and TLC, while also establishing her own brand of music. </p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmetrodotstyle%2Fvideos%2F539536119032159%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>“I’m looking forward to making some original music in Tagalog, and would also love to collaborate with local artists and producers. The Philippines has truly some of the most talented and creative people in the world, and it would be nice to share that with the rest of the world,” Tiana shares.</p><div><br/></div><p>Given a chance to work on a song for another festival in the Philippines, Tiana says, it would be nice to represent her grandfather’s province, Cagayan Valley. She says, “It would be nice to incorporate local Ilocano music and instruments like the <em>pito</em> and the <em>kullitong</em>. And of course, the language!” </p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos by <strong>GStudiosPh</strong></p><p>Video courtesy of <strong>Skylancer Films</strong></p><div><br/></div>

Tiana Kocher, alongside SB19's Josh Cullen, performs 'MassKara: Sinadya sa Bacolod,' a song she describes to be as upbeat, bright, and lively as the well-loved festival 