
American singer Sahara has done it again.
Months after her impressive rendition of Jaya's 1997 hit, “Dahil Ba Sa Kanya,” Sahara is once more putting her stamp on a Tagalog song to mark Christmas.
To start with, the song “Tanging Hiling” is a fresh track, never been heard before until now and is another addition to OPM's still growing number of Christmas tunes.
“Tanging Hiling” was written Dennis Quila, who one day walked inside the studio armed with the song's demo for Sahara to listen to.
“I immediately felt the Christmas spirit, the magical kind you feel when you watch a really good Christmas movie,” Sahara told GMA Entertainment.
“I really connected to the message of the song right away. Here in the US, Christmas is very commercial, but this song is a great reminder that love is the greatest gift of all,” she said.
“Not to mention how hard it is for some families with OFWs who are so far away and can't see their families on Christmas.”
Written way back in 1999, Dennis recalled writing the song to express his feeling of solitude while working as a pianist in Japan and celebrating Christmas away from his family.
“Tanging Hiling” talks about love and how it's more valuable than material things, especially during this Yuletide season.
For Sahara, “Tanging Hiling” reminded her why Christmas songs are well-loved despite their seasonal nature.
“They're always so positive, full of life and love, and use a lot of instruments you don't normally hear the rest of the year,” she said about Christmas songs in general.
Sahara herself is a fan of Christmas songs, citing “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee as the song that “instantly puts you in Christmas mood.”
She also couldn't help but reminisce about her favorite Christmas tradition growing up.
“I'm part Mexican, and a big Christmas tradition for Mexicans is homemade tamales,” Sahara happily recalled.
“Some of my favorite Christmas memories are smelling the tamales waking up when I was young, and then helping make them as I got older.”
“Tanging Hiling” serves as a fitting end to 2021 for Sahara as she gears up for the release of her EP next year.
“I'm focused and excited about releasing more original OPM songs,” Sahara mentioned.
“I am learning a kundiman song that I will be sharing with my fans via social media. But you never know, I may hear a song I feel like I have to cover, like I did with “Dahil Ba Sa Kanya.”
“I want to share more of that with my fans and see what they think, and an EP is a good way to do that,” Sahara said.
“There will be more OPM, some RnB, an English song with OPM roots, and a new release from an OPM icon who hasn't been published in a very long time.”
She is also hoping to visit the Philippines next year to explore the country and meet her fans.
“I really want to say I'll be touring the Philippines to meet my fans, eat food from the cities and provinces, and visit lots of beaches, but of course I can't be sure of that right now,” Sahara said, hoping for the best.
“So besides continuing to make OPM, I'd like to continue learning voice acting and voice-over, focusing on my fitness and health, and working hard to be a positive person.”
“Tanging Hiling” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other digital streaming platforms worldwide.
Speaking of Christmas, take a look at the celebrities and Kapuso personalities who participated at GMA Network's Christmas ID for this year.