Dannyka Manangan

Darren Espanto shares story behind recording reimagined version of 'Dati' with Belle Mariano

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Darren Espanto shared the story behind for his collaboration with Belle Mariano for the reimagined version of the OPM hit &quot;Dati.&quot;</p><p>The song was originally performed by Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos.</p><p>&quot;I didn&#x27;t expect it at first because it was just a duet that we had to do for [Belle&#x27;s] concert so ginawa namin &#x27;yung &#x27;Dati&#x27; as a live performance. Then everyone wanted for us to do it again on <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap"><em><strong>ASAP</strong></em></a> naman so we did it on <em>ASAP Milan</em>,&quot; he recounted.</p><p>They then received requests to do a studio version of their &quot;Dati&quot; duet. &quot;Everyone wanted a studio version of &#x27;Dati&#x27; by Belle and Darren so then Star Music asked us if we were okay to do our own version, so sakto 10th anniversary ng &#x27;Dati&#x27; nun,&quot; he relayed.<br/><br/></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/7/6/darren-espanto-embraces-new-era-as-he-marks-his-11th-year-in-showbiz-1618"><strong>READ: Darren Espanto embraces ‘new era’ as he marks his 11th year in showbiz</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>On his experience working with Belle, Darren was all praises for the actress-singer. &quot;Si Belle sobrang dali kausap. She&#x27;s so game with anything and I am so glad and I am so grateful to have a friend like her na sobrang daling katrabaho, ang dali kausap and ayun nga, genuine din,&quot; he shared.</p><p>He added: &quot;It was a lot of fun being able to re-record such an iconic song that everyone nows tsaka &#x27;yun to have the go signal from sina Sam and also kuya Thyro Alfaro (composer).&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/bRgefh4a-Dg?si=RBQqkW8xmsNl__7X"><iframe width="681" height="383" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bRgefh4a-Dg" title="Darren Answers The Most Searched Questions About Him | BRGY S4 | October 21, 2025 | Ep 2" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></a></div><div></div><div><br/></div><p>Their &quot;Dati&quot; version became part of Darren&#x27;s latest album &quot;Ikaw Pa Rin&quot; which was released in July to mark his 11th anniversary in the entertainment industry.</p><p>The album contains 13 tracks. Other songs in the album include &quot;Bibitaw Na,&quot; &quot;Hanggang Kailan,&quot; &quot;Ilang Beses,&quot; &quot;Iyo,&quot; and &quot;Paano Kung Tayo Na Lang?&quot; and &quot;Ikaw Pa Rin,&quot; among others.</p><div><br/></div><div></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/bRgefh4a-Dg?si=RBQqkW8xmsNl__7X"></a><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/music/2025/7/5/darren-releases-new-album-ikaw-pa-rin-1157"><strong>READ: </strong><strong>Darren celebrates 11th anniversary with new album &quot;Ikaw Pa Rin&quot;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%">As per a previous report by MYX Global, Darren highlighted that the album showcases his growth as a musician. &quot;I used to be someone who didn’t want to sing his original songs [...] but as an artist you&#x27;re supposed to produce your own songs and content—I have that in my mind now,” he remarked.</span></div><p>He relayed that he wrote some of the tracks in the album. &quot;I really like the songs on this album kasi ako ‘yung nagsulat nung ibang kanta,” he shared.  </p>

<p>Darren Espanto and Belle Mariano first performed 'Dati' together in Belle's concert. </p>

Darren Espanto and Belle Mariano first performed 'Dati' together in Belle's concert.