Dilaw (song)

On September 22, 2023, Maki released the extended play (EP) Tanong (), which featured five new tracks: "Sigurado?" (), "Saan?" (), "Siguro...?" (), "Kailan?" (), and "Bakit?" (). "Saan?" and "Bakit?" became viral hits. After the success of the EP and the single "Saan?", Maki followed up with the released with the tracks "HBD" and "Sikulo" (Cycle) before releasing "Dilaw" as a standalone single on May 24, 2024. == Composition and lyrics ==

"Dilaw" is three minutes and twelve seconds long; the song was produced by Nhiko Sabiniano and composed by Maki and Nhiko Sabiniano. It has been described as an indie alternative track and explores themes of unconditional love, likening hope and happiness to the color yellow "as it captures the experience of finding love after overcoming a painful past". Revealed to be inspired by a conversation that Maki shared with his former lover, who had opined that "the love [Maki] gave was not a calm love", the song has also been noted to imagine love as "a calm, joyful, and warm emotion, like the color yellow". == Promotion and release ==

The song, along with its accompanying music video, was released on May 24, 2024. On August 2, 2024, Maki performed "Dilaw" live on the Wish 107.5 Bus. In March 2025, Maki said that "Dilaw" was part of his upcoming first full-length album, titled Kolorcoaster and scheduled for release on September 19, 2025. He also announced that the album would include a slowed-down version of "Dilaw". A special rendition of the song was released on March 26 as the theme soundtrack of the Filipino film My Love Will Make You Disappear. == Music video ==

Co-directed by Jaydee Alberto and Maki, the song's music video has been noted to highlight art as a medium for storytelling as it depicts the romantic relationship between two young artists. The video features Maki and Maloi, a member of the P-pop group Bini, as high school students who meet and bond over their shared love of art and adventure. As the video progresses, Maki's character gradually brings color—both literally and figuratively—into the life of Maloi's character, visually depicting the blossoming romance between them with a reference to the song's intention of "symboliz[ing] the happiness and positivity someone brings into your life". After its release on May 24, 2024, the music video became the top trending video on YouTube Philippines, garnering over two million views within the first two weeks. "Dilaw" was recognized as the top four music video of 2024 on YouTube in the Philippines. == Reception ==

Reviews Writing for Billboard Philippines, Gabriel Saulog praised "Dilaw" for its "emotional resonance and heartfelt lyrics", highlighting the song's ability to capture the essence of youthful longing and vulnerability. Billboard Philippines also included the track in its list of The Best Songs of 2024. Commercial performance Following its release on May 24, 2024, "Dilaw" debuted at number four on Billboard Philippines Songs chart. The song maintained a place in the top five for three weeks, The song later debuted at number one on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 for the weeks of July 6 and 13, 2024, becoming the first song to top the relaunched chart. It also topped the first two inaugural issues of Billboard Philippines Top Philippine Songs chart for the same period. On Spotify, "Dilaw" set the record for the highest single-day streams achieved by an OPM song on the platform with 1.1 million streams. On October 12, 2024, Maki performed the song at LANY's concert at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, which was also played by LANY frontman Paul Klein. It was also recognized by Spotify as its top two song in the Philippines for 2024, and by Google as its tenth most searched song in the Philippines for the year. In January 2025, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced the launching of The Official Philippine Chart, with "Dilaw" placing at number eleven in the chart. At the inauguration of The Official Philippines Chart on February 19, "Dilaw" was recognized as its top two Local Song of the Year. In December, "Dilaw" was recognized by Apple Music Philippines among its Top OPM Songs of 2025, placing third. ==Adaptations==

A parody of the song, titled "Hilaw" ( in Tagalog), was released on the comedy show Bubble Gang on November 24, 2024, with Yaki (parody of its singer Maki) as a singer played by Michael V. on the Waste Truck (a parody of Wish 107.5's radio bus). The song evokes a message on the importance of being a true Filipino by speaking the Filipino language correctly. == Accolades ==

The song received multiple nominations, including Song of the Year at the 9th Ppop Music Awards and both Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year at the 2024 Myx Music Awards. In 2025, "Dilaw" was nominated for Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year at the Wish Music Awards and for Best of Listeners' Choice: International Song at Music Awards Japan. On July 27, it won Song of the Year at the New Hue Music Awards ==Listicles==

Weekly charts Year-end charts == Credits and personnel ==

Credits are adapted from Apple Music. • Makivocals • Ralph William Datoonsongwriter • Viktor Nhiko Sabinianosongwriter, producer == Release history ==