MANILA, PHILIPPINES — For years, people thought they knew Janine Berdin: a powerful vocalist shaped by competitions and mainstream expectations. But over the past year, she’s rewritten that narrative entirely–going indie, getting signed, and releasing Lab Songs ng mga Tanga, a debut that didn’t just resonate, it unraveled people.
This era of Janine is current, open, and emotionally unfiltered. These are songs written in the middle of the mess not just about heartbreak, but about the moments after: the spirals, the humor, the self-awareness, the rage, the softness. The kind of writing that allows space for non-romantic heartbreak too. Friendships, identity, loss, longing—all carried by a voice that sounds like it’s breaking and laughing at the same time.
Janine Berdin is building on the massive momentum of her debut album, Lab Songs Ng Mga Tanga. This era marks a significant shift for her, moving away from her “kontesera” (singing contestant) roots and fully owning the “Female Crashout” genre. This is peak yearning. This is crash-out music, the kind that doesn’t posture or pretend to be cool. Tears trap over thirst trap. Janine has quietly become one of the most ownable voices in OPM right now—raging, funny, and undeniably beautiful in her chaos. There’s a femininity to the way she crashes out that feels deeply hers. Nobody else is doing it like this.
The “Tanga” Stats: Dominating the Year-End Honor Roll
While others are chasing the next viral dance, Janine Berdin is busy defining a new genre. LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA dominated the critical conversation of the past year. As of January 2026, the album has pulled in over 25 million streams, with her latest anthem “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” currently soaring through the Spotify Viral Top 50 Philippines. Most notably, Janine Berdin has become the first OPM female artist to have a song reach 400 million streams on Spotify, marking a historic milestone in Filipino music.
Her impact was reflected by a clean sweep of the 2025 Year-End Lists, earning top spots across the board: Billboard Philippines ranked “ Hayup Ka!” among the 25 Best Filipino Songs of 2025, “tayo lang (may alam)” with Illest Morena & Fana is also part of Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2025 and Manila Bulletin & The Beat Asia both listed her debut album as a definitive favorite of 2025, noting how she turned emotional chaos into a brilliant, loud, and unapologetic body of work. She was also featured in Spotify’s EQUAL campaign, with her image displayed in New York City’s Times Square.
Reflecting on her journey, Janine Berdin was candid about the transition from being “just a performer” to becoming a singer-songwriter in her own right.
“I had boxes that I wasn’t allowed to step out of. I was a little more restrained, and I was a little filtered,” Janine admitted. “But I’m confident enough now… this record really fully represents who I am now, —sonically and personally.”
Janine brings this momentum to the stage with “Bar Tour ng mga Tanga,” a series of curated live nights—Shoegaze, J-Rock, and All-Girls editions—designed for intimacy, connection, and emotional release. The impact speaks for itself. Now, she’s taking that energy where it belongs.
The stage is set, the crowd is listening, and the era has officially begun. In 2026, Janine Berdin isn’t just performing anymore, she’s shaping the future of OPM in real time. The impact speaks for itself: she has successfully filled up Saguijo, Unknown13, and Apotheka, with more shows to be announced soon via @islandrecordsph on Instagram.
