Paninindigan Kita
| "Paninindigan Kita" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Ben&Ben | ||||
| Language | Tagalog | |||
| English title | Stand By You | |||
| Released | April 30, 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2020 | |||
| Studio | Spryta Productions Inc. (Mandaluyong, Metro Manila) | |||
| Length | 5:09 | |||
| Label | Sony Philippines | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Jean-Paul Verona | |||
| Ben&Ben singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Paninindigan Kita" (lit. 'Stand By You') is a song by Filipino folk-pop band Ben&Ben. It was released as a digital single on April 30, 2022, through Sony Music Philippines. Written by lead vocalists and twins Paolo and Miguel Benjamin Guico, the track explains that an ode to a lover who may be hesitant to move forward in their relationship. The music video was directed by Niq Ablao, who previously worked with the band behind "Upuan", and features the band's keyboardist and bassist Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma, who are struggling with their feelings for each other and fighting against the odds to maintain their relationship.
The track has received many accolades, with winning Best Pop Recording and Music Video of the Year at the 34th Awit Awards, and Contemporary Folk Song of the Year at the 8th Wish Music Awards.
Background and release
Ben&Ben released their new single, titled "Paninindigan Kita", and announced their first-ever North American tour, starting in September, with six stops.[1]
The band had shared a brief video clip detailing the process of creating the cover art for their track. It was inspired by the couple and members of the band, Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma, and was made by Isobel Funk.[2]
Composition
The song is five minutes and nine seconds long, and was written by lead vocalists and twins Paolo and Miguel Benjamin Guico and produced by Jean-Paul Verona.[3] The track explains that an ode to a lover who may be hesitant to move forward in their relationship.[1] The track is also the band's first studio song since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and was recorded in 2020 at Spryta Productions Inc. in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.[1][4]
Music video
Released on June 30, 2022, before the end of the Pride Month, the music video was directed by Niq Ablao, who previously worked with the band behind "Upuan", and features the band's keyboardist and bassist Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma, who are struggling with their feelings for each other and fighting against the odds to maintain their relationship.[5] According to Ablao, the visual narrative follows Pat and Agnes' journey of standing up for love, regardless of gender, and their unwavering support. It highlights the struggles and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, who often feel compelled to hide simple expressions of love.[5]
According to the band's keyboardist Pat, she explained that she and her partner, the band's bassist Agnes, were both excited and nervous about their relationship due to their lack of public disclosure and reluctance to engage in physical intimacy. Agnes also expressed excitement about presenting the story to a wider audience, despite not being actors, as they are excited about the potential audience of queer kids.[5][4]
Other versions
The band has collaborated with Indonesian singer-songwriter Pamungkas for the English version of "Paninindigan Kita" (lit. 'Stand by You'). The performance video was released on the band's YouTube channel on August 12, 2022.[6] Ben&Ben and Pamungkas have collaborated in-studio before co-headlining the show Gimme Shelter in Manila on August 6. The collaborations come amid preparations for the band's North American tour this year and Pamungkas' regional tour in support of his album, titled "Birdy".[7]
Credits and personnel
Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[3]
- Ben&Ben – vocals
- Miguel Benjamin Guico – songwriter
- Paolo Benjamin Guico – songwriter
- Jean-Paul Verona – producer
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated | [a] |
| Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist | Won[b] | |||
| Best Pop Recording | Won | |||
| Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording | Nominated | |||
| Music Video of the Year | Won | |||
| People's Choice for Favorite Song | Nominated | |||
| Wish 107.5 Music Awards | Contemporary Folk Song of the Year | Won | [12] | |
| 2024 | Star Awards for Music | Song of the Year | Nominated | [13] |
Notes
References
- ^ a b c Ng, Scott (May 4, 2022). "Ben&Ben release new single 'Paninindigan Kita', announce first-ever North American tour". NME. Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ Madarang, Catalina Ricci S. (May 3, 2022). "'Sana all': Ben&Ben fans' humorous reactions to 'Paninindigan Kita' single art". Interaksyon (The Philippine Star). Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ a b "Paninindigan Kita – Song by Ben&Ben". Apple Music. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ a b Chi, Cristina (June 30, 2022). "Ben&Ben highlights queer women's struggles in 'Paninindigan Kita' music video". Interaksyon (The Philippine Star). Retrieved August 16, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "WATCH: Ben&Ben pays tribute to queer love in 'Paninindigan Kita' music video". Rappler. June 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ Cruz, Dana (August 13, 2022). "WATCH: Ben&Ben, Indonesian singer Pamungkas perform 'Paninindigan Kita' in English". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Santos, Aldus (August 12, 2022). "Ben&Ben talk collaborating with Pamungkas on 'Paninindigan Kita' rework: "We just communicated through music instantly"". NME. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Purnell, Kristofer (November 11, 203). "Ben&Ben, Dilaw, Ena Mori, Sarah Geronimo lead Awit Awards 2023 winners". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Awit Awards 2023 Finalists - Batch 1". Awit Awards. October 3, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Awit Awards 2023 Finalists - Batch 2". Awit Awards. October 3, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Awit Awards 2023 Finalists - Batch 3". Awit Awards. October 3, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "8th Wish Music Awards winners, highlights, and more". Wish 107.5 Music Awards. January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ^ "Empowered women to headline 15th Star Awards for Music". Manila Bulletin. January 9, 2024. Archived from the original on January 10, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.