Dia Maté is transforming into her “beauty queen” persona with her upcoming single.
Scheduled for release by tomorrow (November 8), “Ganda Gandahan” is a synth-pop anthem “centered on owning and celebrating your uniqueness and individuality despite being made to feel the opposite by everyone around you,” according to her press release. The singer-songwriter is also planning to premiere her debut album later in 2025.
Throughout her previous drops, like “Ocean of Emotion” that debuted earlier in April of this year, the pop girl embraced a “sad girl” persona. Having participated in beauty pageants this year and winning the Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2024 crown, the way Dia treats, trusts, and sees herself has shifted — and this same transformation has also taken part on the way she produces music.
In an official press release, the artist expressed her sentiments moving onto this fresh era: “‘Ganda Gandahan’ is a track that encapsulates me blossoming into the woman that little Dia has always wanted to become. I see it as the best fitting track to kick off my new era, and after this album, I am for sure going to be your new favorite Filipina pop girl.”
Additionally, for this upcoming release, the singer-songwriter has worked closely with actual voguers and femme queens from the local scene, using her platform to uplift the Philippine ballroom community. “I aim to give the audience a three-minute experience where they feel the euphoria of self-love and I feel like I feel that way the most when I walk the balls which is why I wanted to bring my sisters for this project. There is so much love, celebration, and talent in the ballroom scene here in the Philippines, and I wanted to showcase that in this track.” Dia Maté noted.
In anticipation for “Ganda Gandahan,” listen to “Ocean of Emotion” here: