Esremborak’s “Mahal Magmahal” Debuts On The Philippines Hot 100
The five-piece ukulele band makes its debut on the chart with its viral track.
Courtesy of Esremborak
Courtesy of Esremborak
Five-piece ukulele band Esremborak debuts on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart, dated August 29, 2026, with their 2025 “Mahal Magmahal.”
Placing at the No. 69 position, “Mahal Magmahal” was released in January 2025. The song plays on the double meaning of the Tagalog word “mahal,” which can be translated as both “love” and “expensive.”
Known for the band’s signature heartfelt and witty songs that revolve around everyday life, “Mahal Magmahal” goes through the motions of how romantic relationships are affected by the painful realities of inflation, economic struggles, and how just the idea of love cannot really sustain a relationship amid tough times.
The song went viral on TikTok, notably, the lyrics, “Mahal na ang bigas / Pati lata ng sardinas / Kung mamahalin kita ngayon (Kita ngayon) / Sabay tayong magugutom.” (Rice is expensive / And so is a can of sardines; / If I were to love you now, / we would go hungry together.)
This week’s top 10 sees ADELA claiming No. 1 with “Ain’t In LA,” followed by fitterkarma‘s “Kalapastangan” at No. 2, nicole‘s “Panaginip” at No. 3, Olivia Rodrigo‘s “the cure” at No. 4, and Cup of Joe‘s “Multo” rounding out the top 5.
Coming in at No. 6 is Skusta Clee and Flow G‘s “Since Day One,” fitterkarma’s “Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II” at No. 7, Kyle Raphael‘s “Libu-Libong Buwan” at No. 8, Rodrigo’s “drop dead” at No. 9, and Ariana Grande closing out the top 10 with “hate that i made you love me.”
Billboard Philippines‘ Hot 100 chart ranks the biggest songs in the country by both local and international artists every week, using audio and streaming data collected by data provider Luminate. The Hot 100 is one of Billboard Philippines’ official music charts, alongside the Top Philippine Songs chart, with both updated every Wednesday.
View this week’s Billboard Philippines‘ Hot 100 here.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Mahal Magmahal” debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 dated August 29, 2026, following viral TikTok traction.
“Mahal Magmahal” plays on the Tagalog word “mahal,” meaning both “love” and “expensive,” framing romance amid inflation and economic struggle.
The lyric “Mahal na ang bigas, pati lata ng sardinas,” pairing rising food prices with a blunt take on love, went viral.
Esremborak is a five-piece Filipino ukulele band known for heartfelt, witty songs about everyday life, now debuting on the Hot 100.
The Billboard Philippines Hot 100 is a weekly chart ranking the country’s biggest songs using audio and streaming data from Luminate, updated every Wednesday.
