WATERWALK RECORDS announces the release
of Sambahan, a 10-song series project that contains worship songs
from grassroots, church-based songwriters who connected and collaborated
through an unconventional ‘lab’ setting via the synergetic fellowship, KONEKOLAB.
Its first single, “MANLILIKHARI,” is a portmanteau of two words, which interestingly allude to
that one Being who assumes both roles of a Manlilikha (Creator) and a Hari
(King). As WATERWALK RECORDS A&R Jungee Marcelo puts it, “MANLILIKHARI”
qualifies God’s sovereignty “over all creation, over everything, over you and
me. It’s worthy of worship and adoration.”
Marcelo adds, “The word ‘create’ is very dear to us, and with this song we offer our highest praises to the true Creator, King of everything. “Konekolab Worship aims to cater to the needs of local church congregations for singable worship songs in the local vernacular. Who better to concoct these original worship songs than the very church people in the community. The hope is for each of these songs to become a staple in the church music lineup, as well as in personal times of devotion and prayer.”
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“MANLILIKHARI” is co-written with Irving Galang and Mary
Ozaraga, both community-based, church leaders whose artistry is balanced by
their deep sense of faith. According to Galang, the song celebrates the
“awesomeness of our Creator, the ultimate Artist, and our King who did not just
create us but also took full responsibility over us by loving us to the
fullness of our being, no matter how seemingly small and insignificant we think
we are.”
Ozaraga shares that joining this project provided a lot of new
challenges for her: writing with a collaborative mindset, and penning a song in
Tagalog. “Armed with the Bible, a guitar, and Google Translator, I was
able to take on the challenges, greatly inspired by the hard work of Sir Jungee
and my team leader, Sir Irving, and was able to witness how God honors
faith-fueled hardwork."
“MANLILIKHARI” is produced by Jungee Marcelo, and arranged with
Joshua Capule on piano, Junjun Regalado on drums and percussions, and Ardie De
Guzman on guitars. Capturing the Church worship experience with intricate
instrumentation and vocal congregational textures, the spiritual anthem reveals
a solemn quality to it that soars even as it calms. The expertise of sound
engineer extraordinaire Angee Rozul binds everything together with a mix that
is divine-like, but filled with so many layers and depth.
The track is sung by Gianne Hinolan, who considers the
collaboration a gift. “Seeing how passionate these artists are about
communicating the message of God already spoke to me. This is why it was easy
for me to say yes to sir Jungee when he invited me to sing the song. As
singers, we are expected to be the ones ‘delivering’ our listeners, but here, I
was the one who was delivered. Delivered from my doubts and delivered closer to knowing who He
is; who God is as our Creator and our King. Wonderful.”
“MANLILIKHARI” is out now on all digital music platforms via WATERWALK
RECORDS.
For more updates on the new tracks, artists, and upcoming events, please follow:
WATERWALK RECORDS: Facebook | Instagram
ABOUT WATERWALK RECORDS
WATERWALK RECORDS is a music label under Sony Music Entertainment that is focused on bringing fresh Christian music to a new, streaming generation. The label features faith-based entertainment artists from across the length and breadth of the country, who represent the best of Christian music combined with their own unique styles.
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