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Antonio Bathan a.k.a Tonio reimagines TikTok hit ‘Tantanan.’ Josh Mercado

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

Remember him from ABS-CBN’s hit talent show “Pilipinas Got Talent&quot;?Antonio Bathan Jr., also known as Tonio, first gained national attention in 2018 as a semifinalist on the popular show &quot;Pilipinas Got Talent,&quot; which he described as life-changing.Then, Tonio&#x27;s spoken-word piece &quot;Tara Magluto ng Pakbet&quot; went viral, earning millions of views online and ranking among the most popular spoken-word poetry performances on YouTube.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787267112423image1.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Antonio Bathan a.k.a Tonio reimagines TikTok hit ‘Tantanan.’ Josh Mercado </div>Nurturing his talent, Tonio later joined FlipTop and experimented with various poetry platforms, claiming that his sharp tongue and catchy words were always in his DNA, having grown up listening to Filipino artists like Rey Valera and Ogie Alcasid.This love of words continued when he decided to independently release his original song &quot;Tantanan,&quot; which recently received another career boost after a TikTok video of someone hearing the song for the first time and immediately singing along to its chorus went viral, garnering nearly 100 million views.Officially releasing it on Spotify last August 1, “Tantanan&quot; has previously been used by online users to express love, with some even using it in wedding videos.In an interview with ABS-CBN News last August 2 at Fluid Cafe in Quezon City, the viral spoken word artist revealed that he wrote the song in 2016 and had originally planned it as a wedding song.“I began writing it in 2016 and completed it in 2022. I originally thought it would be a good wedding song, and it is true that many online users do. When I write songs or other pieces, I always write from my heart. Additionally, I want my songs to be relatable,” he told ABS-CBN News.He continued, “When you meet someone who captures your heart, you want to pursue them and do everything. You wish to make that person&#x27;s world magical. You want to shower her with all of your love until the two of you walk down the aisle together.”“Marami pa akong mga naisulat na hindi pa nailalabas officially. Independent artist pa ako nun. Ngayon, may bagong partner na,” he added.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787267154420image2.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Tonio inks deal with Chit Reyes’ LesQuest Production. Josh Mercado </div>The viral spoken word artist then discussed the challenges of being an independent artist before signing with Chit Reyes&#x27; management company, LesQuest Production.“It was difficult being an independent artist. Because, while it is easy to go viral these days, the true challenge is distribution and a lack of support. I write my own material, and I believe that getting a manager will be extremely beneficial because online streaming is not the only platform. Many establishments, companies, or individuals want your songs, which only the manager can distribute,” he shared with ABS-CBN News.Now, with Reyes&#x27; guidance, he stated that he wants his music to last as long as the songs he grew up listening to.Describing his sound, he stated, “Almost every song you’ll hear from me goes back to love. Even when you’re hurting. All of them. Every single one.”“I want my songs to be like Rey Valera&#x27;s. They are timeless. They express love. They express who we are: romantics and lovers. We cherish love. We should celebrate love with music,” he added.Tonio is a fourth-year law student at San Pablo Colleges, balancing his studies with music, performance, and literature. He graduated from the University of Batangas-Lipa Campus with a degree in AB Legal Management and honed his craft as a member of Tanghalang Dal&#x27;wa-Singko and the Dripped Art Movement, Batangas&#x27; pioneering spoken-word poetry collective.

Antonio Bathan Jr., also known as Tonio, first gained national attention in 2018 as a semifinalist on the popular show "Pilipinas Got Talent," which he described as life-changing.

Antonio Bathan Jr., also known as Tonio, first gained national attention in 2018 as a semifinalist on the popular show "Pilipinas Got Talent," which he described as life-changing.

Popular spoken word artist Tonio reveals story behind viral song ‘Tantanan’

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Popular spoken word artist Tonio reveals story behind viral song ‘Tantanan’

Josh Mercado

Published August 21, 2026 01:48 PM PHT

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