Janine Berdin: On Her Own Terms
From dreaming about Manila’s independent gig scene as a teenager to earning recognition from artists around the world, the fast-rising singer-songwriter reflects on a career shaped by conviction, patience, and deeply personal songwriting.
Janine Berdin: Courtesy of Island Records – UMG Philippines
Janine Berdin: Courtesy of Island Records – UMG Philippines.
For years, Janine Berdin has quietly built the career she always imagined for herself long before the rest of the world caught on. Raised on videos of Manila’s independent gig circuit while growing up in Cebu, she dreamed of playing intimate bar shows with bands she admired, writing songs on her own terms, and carving out a place in the local music scene beyond the expectations that came with winning Tawag ng Tanghalan in 2018. That vision finally began taking shape this year, as Berdin has taken to performing at venues like SaGuijo and Mow’s alongside some of the country’s most respected rock acts — the kind of spaces she once watched from afar.
Then came “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” Months after its release, a live version of the aching ballad unexpectedly caught fire online, introducing Berdin’s songwriting and pipes to listeners around the world and earning praise from artists ranging from Rico Blanco to even Demi Lovato. What initially felt like a deeply personal leap of faith suddenly became one of the year’s biggest breakout stories, validating the instincts she refused to abandon even when few seemed to be listening.
Now, Berdin enters her next chapter with “PROMISE..!!!” and the upcoming deluxe edition of her 2025 debut album LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA, a project that expands the emotional and sonic world of the original album while reflecting a songwriter growing increasingly confident in her own voice. In this conversation with Billboard Philippines, she looks back on the winding path that led to her viral moment, why she remained stubbornly faithful to her music, and where she hopes this newfound momentum will take her next.
Billboard Philippines: Just before “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” became viral, you’ve been doing bar gigs in grassroots venues like SaGuijo, Unknown 13, and just recently, at Mow’s, and you’ve invited bands like Sandwich, Chicosci, ena mori, ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, and others as support acts. Why did you take this particular route to promote your music?
Janine Berdin: As a kid who grew up in Cebu, all I ever did [as a] pastime was watch videos of people doing gigs here in Manila. That became my dream and ultimate goal — I wanted to be in a band; I wanted to be in the gig scene in Manila. But yeah, the universe had different plans for me. Somehow I was put on a path that made me win Tawag Ng Tanghalan. And when I did have to move to Manila for my career, I didn’t really get to fulfill my dreams. They had different plans for me, which was cool, too! But only after I left my previous management and became fully indie did I get the opportunity to finally put up my own shows. I got to do gigs in bars I got to see in YouTube videos growing up. [And] then I got signed. And I finally had the chance to have my very own bar tour. [I’m] crazy thankful, really. Dreams do come true when you’re hardheaded.
Billboard Philippines: “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” has taken on a life of its own online, reaching listeners who may be discovering your music for the first time. How did it feel being noticed by the likes of Demi Lovato and other prolific international and local artists? What has it been like watching such a deeply personal song resonate on that scale?
Janine Berdin: Honestly, before everything blew up, it was getting very, very disheartening for such a long time. I was at a point where the thoughts of “Maybe nga people were right na this songwriting shit isn’t for me” were getting a little too loud. But no matter how hard I tried, I really couldn’t give up and walk away. I just genuinely love my songs. And I love to write. I love the art I make. I love my music. They’re stuff I know someone needs. I’m alone a lot most of my life and there are things I can’t bring to share — even to my family — but music has always been there. A song always becomes my best friend. I couldn’t stop because I have to give back.
Courtesy of Island Records – UMG Philippines.
People were telling me what to do, left and right. “Don’t release an English song, they won’t get it.” “Focus on what makes a hit,” blah blah. I was so hardheaded. I released my record exactly how I wanted it to be. And they were right for a time; no one gave a f**k for a couple months. But again, I’m hardheaded. I don’t give up. And I love my music. I knew someone out there would get it.
So when everything came to be, I didn’t feel much at first. I saw Demi’s comment and I was just “Haaa?”… then yeah. It’s crazy, really. Inde Navarette and I talk and she says she’s a huge fan. Adam Lambert messaged me. It’s crazy, really. So people do get it; people can hear pala what I have to say. I’ve been floating. Ang haba na ng nasulat ko pero I still don’t know how to answer this question except [that] everything’s crazy right now.
Billboard Philippines: Your new single, “PROMISE..!!!,” arrives after the success of “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” Did that unexpected momentum influence how you approached your next release, or did you consciously tune out the noise and follow your own instincts?
Janine Berdin: Well, this deluxe [edition] has always been planned! So when my music blew up, we were already 70% [done] on this deluxe version of the album. I really believe my band, producer, and I have learned and grown so much from making the initial record, and you will hear it here. I’m proud of the deluxe, and really excited to put it out!
I’d say though, the whole “What if i miss you…” moment did change things quite a bit. Initially I wanted a song called “Mirisi” to be the first single from the deluxe. It’s a Bisaya-English-Tagalog track and definitely a favorite. [It’s] super shoegaze and just pure dread… I love it. But after everything, my audience really widened and I wanted to give life to all the new listeners from — wow, [I] can’t believe I’m saying this — from around the world. So I [decided] to put out “PROMISE..!!!” right after “What if I miss you…” [instead].
Billboard Philippines: LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA captured heartbreak with honesty and a touch of humor. With the upcoming deluxe edition, what new sides of that story — or of yourself — are you hoping listeners will discover?
Janine Berdin: This new record is called MORE LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA, so it really just is that. (Laughs) I’d say these new songs just didn’t fit the narrative — sonically and story-wise — that I wanted to make in the initial record. So these four tracks are very experimental, fun, and my faves. I love the deluxe; I’m so excited for everyone to hear [it].
Courtesy of Island Records – UMG Philippines.
Billboard Philippines: Your songwriting has always felt conversational, almost like reading pages from a diary. As you’ve grown as both a songwriter and performer, what have you learned about turning your most vulnerable moments into songs that other people can call their own?
Janine Berdin: I just learned that, really, a story is bound to be heard. Especially when it’s an honest one.
Billboard Philippines: Looking at this current chapter — from a viral breakthrough to new music and a deluxe album — it feels like more people are listening than ever before. Where do you hope this momentum takes you creatively, and what kind of artist do you want listeners to see you becoming beyond this moment?
Janine Berdin: I’m really thankful [because] this has definitely opened so many doors for me. I’m getting opportunities left and right — offers so crazy and unreal [that] I can’t even cry about it because they just don’t feel real. I just really want to be one of the reasons why homegrown Filipino talent gets out there.
I tell my team all the time that I’m so restless, I thought finally having your moment meant you could relax. But ever since I’ve only worked twice as hard. I’ll never miss an opportunity.
I only want to keep growing and evolving and learning. I’m very excited to meet new people, learn new things, and be a better musician and person. I’m excited to see the world — do things I’ve never done before, [and] do things no one else has done before.
Frequently Asked Questions
“What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” is a ballad by Filipino artist Janine Berdin whose live version went viral online months after the song’s release. It drew praise from artists including Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, Inde Navarette, and Rico Blanco, reaching listeners worldwide.
Janine Berdin is a Filipino singer-songwriter from Cebu who won Tawag ng Tanghalan in 2018. After leaving her previous management to go fully independent, she built an indie career, later signed a deal, and broke through in 2025 with a viral ballad and her debut album.
“PROMISE..!!!” is Janine Berdin’s single released after the viral success of “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” She chose it as the deluxe album’s lead single to reach the wider international audience gained post-breakout, rather than the shoegaze track “Mirisi.”
MORE LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA is the deluxe edition of Janine Berdin’s 2025 debut album LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA. It adds four experimental tracks she describes as more sonically adventurous, expanding the emotional and musical world of the original heartbreak-themed record.
Janine Berdin has performed at grassroots Manila venues including SaGuijo, Mow’s, and Unknown 13. For these indie bar shows she invited support acts such as Sandwich, Chicosci, ena mori, and ONE CLICK STRAIGHT, fulfilling a childhood dream of joining Manila’s live gig scene.
