Tala the first hit of the year 2020 r babay a Gil

This can only happen in the age of social media. A song written four years ago is now taking the country by storm and poised to be the first big hit of the year. The tune is Tala, a composition by Nica del Rosario that was tapped by pop princess Sarah Geronimo to be part of her album The Great Unknown.

Like most recordings from the period, Tala, which translates into English as “star,” had already had its day in the sun. That means the requisite radio and TV airplay, music video and inclusion in live performances by Sarah. She has already released other songs since then and Tala had been relegated to her pile of oldies. Then something happened.

I do not know how it started but netizens began doing dance moves to the sound of Tala, a love song with a beat. A clever somebody issued a Tala Dance Challenge and many responded with their own styles. The LGBT community responded by adding Tala to their Drag shows. So did kids in school programs. And housewives. Etc. etc.

The challenge became so successful that celebrities have even joined the craze. Maine Mendoza, Ella Cruz, Ryzza Mae Dizon and even K-pop stars MOMOLAND posted their Tala dances on the web. Some techie even got Frozen’s Elsa animated presence dancing to Tala. Then last Sunday, the TV show ASAP had a Grand Tala Day with a big number of people dancing to Tala led by Sarah herself.

This is a happy piece of news for local pop music. Although already a few years old, Tala has given the airwaves a fresh happy sound that is different from the hugot murmurrings we have been listening to these past months. And it is great to dance to. How long will the Tala craze last? I do not know. But let us enjoy it while it is there and hot.

“Tala, tala, tala/ ang ningning ng mga tala’y nakikita ko sa ‘yong mga mata/ tala, tala, tala/ ang ningning ng ‘yong mga mata’y hinahanap ko sa mga tala...”

Aside from Tala, Sarah’s The Great Unknown album which was released four years ago also includes Unbroken, The Great Unknown, a duet with Hale, Baby You’re the Reason, Ako’y Para Lamang Sa ‘yo, Kaibigan Mo featuring Yeng Constantino, Kapit, Only For You, Sabi Mo Sa Akin and Misteryo.

And now, here is the list of the Top 40 selling tunes on the first week of the new year. Tala enters for the first time at No. 27. But the song is expected to soar higher in the charts these next few weeks as it is already No. 13 on Spotify, No. 7 on Deezer, No. 3 on Apple and No. 1 on iTunes.

Memories by Maroon 5; Imahe by Magnus Haven; Zebbiana by Skusta Clee; Neneng B by Nik Makino featuring Raf Davis; ROXANNE by Arizona Zervas; Binalewala by Michael Dutchi Libranda; Ikaw at Ako by Moira dela Torre and Jason Marvin; Catriona by Matthaios; Mean It by Lauv & LANY; Ayy Macarena by Tyga.

Señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello; Pagtingin by Ben&Ben; Into the Unknown by Idina Menzel; It’s You by Ali Gaite; 10,000 Hours by Dan + Shay and Justine Bieber; Hindi Tayo Puede by The Juans; Dance Monkey by Tones and I; Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa; Circles by Post Malone; Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi.

Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez; Huling Sandali by December Avenue; Get You The Moon by Kina ft. Snaw; Miracle Nights by ALLMO$T; Masyado Pang Maaga by Ben&Ben; Sa Susunod Na Lang by PDL, Skusta Clee & Yuri; Tala by Sarah Geronimo; Make It with You by Ben&Ben; All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey; Adore You by Harry Styles.

Lover by Taylor Swift; I Want You Back by Matthaios featuring Calvin de Leon; Obsession by EXO; I Don’t Care by Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber; Make It Right by BTS; Can We Kiss Forever? by Kina featuring Adriana Proenza; Christmas Tree Farm by Taylor Swift; Maybe the Night by Ben&Ben; Beautiful People by Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid; and Mabagal by Daniel Padilla.