EXCLUSIVE: Rookie P-Pop group GAT on reintroducing ‘Daleng dale’: ‘It was a lot of pressure’
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EXCLUSIVE: Rookie P-Pop group GAT on reintroducing ‘Daleng dale’: ‘It was a lot of pressure’
Clarence Gillego,
Push Team
Published May 03, 2025 10:14 AM PHT

Up-and-coming P-Pop group GAT has been making waves as their pre-debut track “Daleng Dale” became a viral hit, with several celebrities joining the dance craze.
Up-and-coming P-Pop group GAT has been making waves as their pre-debut track “Daleng Dale” became a viral hit, with several celebrities joining the dance craze.
But in case you don’t know, the song has long been out there, even before GAT surfaced in the P-Pop scene.
But in case you don’t know, the song has long been out there, even before GAT surfaced in the P-Pop scene.
“Daleng Dale” was first introduced as part of the debut album of MMJ, composed of twin brothers MM and MJ Magno, in 2012.
“Daleng Dale” was first introduced as part of the debut album of MMJ, composed of twin brothers MM and MJ Magno, in 2012.
Thirteen years later, GAT, composed of Ethan David, Charles Law, Michael Keith, Hans Paronda, and Derick Ong, gave the song a fresh and vibrant rendition, captivating fans.
Thirteen years later, GAT, composed of Ethan David, Charles Law, Michael Keith, Hans Paronda, and Derick Ong, gave the song a fresh and vibrant rendition, captivating fans.
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But living up to the standards that MMJ has set for the song was no easy task, GAT member Michael admitted in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN.
But living up to the standards that MMJ has set for the song was no easy task, GAT member Michael admitted in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN.
“Going into this song, siyempre it’s very popular and it had a great dance craze around it already,” Michael said. “So siyempre sa isip namin, paano namin ito-top ‘yun. Actually, [we thought of] how to match it, not to top it. It was such a big dance craze. It’s an iconic song talaga in the Philippine music history.”
“Going into this song, siyempre it’s very popular and it had a great dance craze around it already,” Michael said. “So siyempre sa isip namin, paano namin ito-top ‘yun. Actually, [we thought of] how to match it, not to top it. It was such a big dance craze. It’s an iconic song talaga in the Philippine music history.”
“It was a lot of pressure but [we are] thankful for the results,” he stressed.
“It was a lot of pressure but [we are] thankful for the results,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Ethan also admitted that the traction that their “Daleng Dale” rendition has gained was a total surprise.
Meanwhile, Ethan also admitted that the traction that their “Daleng Dale” rendition has gained was a total surprise.
“It was not something we expected at all,” he said. “It was a track for Ang Mutya ng Section E, and we practically just sang it with all our hearts. The [management] asked us to record the song for the series. And when they told us that, we’re like ‘okay kantahin natin, gawan natin ng sayaw.”
“It was not something we expected at all,” he said. “It was a track for Ang Mutya ng Section E, and we practically just sang it with all our hearts. The [management] asked us to record the song for the series. And when they told us that, we’re like ‘okay kantahin natin, gawan natin ng sayaw.”
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While Ethan recognizes that being featured as an official soundtrack of the series Ang Mutya ng Section E, which they are part of, was a factor for the song’s rise to fame, he believes that the support from their fellow artists also paved the way for it.
While Ethan recognizes that being featured as an official soundtrack of the series Ang Mutya ng Section E, which they are part of, was a factor for the song’s rise to fame, he believes that the support from their fellow artists also paved the way for it.
“For the song, siguro po naka-help po para marinig ng bigger audience through Ang Mutya ng Section E,” he said. “Pero with the dance craze, the song was out a month before the dance craze. So ‘yung sayaw, it was really a collaborative effort on TikTok.”
“For the song, siguro po naka-help po para marinig ng bigger audience through Ang Mutya ng Section E,” he said. “Pero with the dance craze, the song was out a month before the dance craze. So ‘yung sayaw, it was really a collaborative effort on TikTok.”
He added: “Nakipag-collab po kami with different artists like BINI. A huge thank you to them as they did the dance. And I’m sure lalong nakita ng Filipino [audience] na ‘ah may dance craze pala ng ‘Daleng Dale.’ And then, ginawa rin ng ibang boy groups like 1621. We also saw Kyle, Jarren, and SB19, [among others].”
He added: “Nakipag-collab po kami with different artists like BINI. A huge thank you to them as they did the dance. And I’m sure lalong nakita ng Filipino [audience] na ‘ah may dance craze pala ng ‘Daleng Dale.’ And then, ginawa rin ng ibang boy groups like 1621. We also saw Kyle, Jarren, and SB19, [among others].”
GAT’s “Daleng Dale” peaked at the third rank on Spotify Philippines’ Daily Viral 50 chart, accumulating a staggering 7.6 million streams, according to the said streaming platform.
GAT’s “Daleng Dale” peaked at the third rank on Spotify Philippines’ Daily Viral 50 chart, accumulating a staggering 7.6 million streams, according to the said streaming platform.
GAT, whose name was a shorted version of “Gawang Atin To,” was launched in 2024 by Ivory Music and Viva Artists Agency. They vowed to champion “Filipino pride” in their every song and performance.
GAT, whose name was a shorted version of “Gawang Atin To,” was launched in 2024 by Ivory Music and Viva Artists Agency. They vowed to champion “Filipino pride” in their every song and performance.
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“We are excited to showcase our diverse backgrounds as Filipinos while embracing our pride in being Filipino,” Michael said in a 2024 Billboard Interview.
“We are excited to showcase our diverse backgrounds as Filipinos while embracing our pride in being Filipino,” Michael said in a 2024 Billboard Interview.
The group also released a rendition of James Reid’s song “Huwag Ka Nang Humirit” as part of their pre-debut tracks.
The group also released a rendition of James Reid’s song “Huwag Ka Nang Humirit” as part of their pre-debut tracks.
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