THANDII x REGALADO Release ‘Run Run’ (feat. Ian Santillano) – A Swaggering Funk-Rock Ode to Immigrant Excellence

MARGATE/MANILA – Thandii and Jun Regalado release “Run Run” (feat. Ian Santillano), out 25th August 2026, the third single from their forthcoming album ‘Coco Okayo’ (11th September 2026, Sama Sama Records). The track marks a sonic pivot—swaggering funk-rock dripping with attitude—yet maintains the cultural bridge-building mission that defines their collaboration.

“Run Run” is a meditation on the millstone of immigrant excellence: the weight of generational expectations, the demand to honour ancestors through achievement, and the exhausting necessity of running faster than others simply to keep pace.

Featuring Filipino-American vocalist Ian Santillano, whose gritty yet soulful voice carries a contagious melody, the track juxtaposes jazzy piano against fuzzy guitar riffs. The production balances sophistication with raw energy—a sonic metaphor for the dual pressure of ambition and authenticity.

Thandii explains the song’s thematic core: “The millstone of immigrant excellence. Best behaviour. Singing with the ancestors behind you. Believing in yourself against all odds. Trusting the process. Running. Running too fast.”

It’s a statement about the psychological weight of diaspora—the constant internal pressure to succeed, to represent, to run faster than seems humanly possible.

Ian Santillano, a Filipino-American artist whose work bridges continents and cultures, brings an essential voice to “Run Run”. His presence deepens the track’s exploration of immigrant identity and generational legacy—a third voice in the ongoing conversation between Margate, Manila, and the diaspora communities connecting them.

Santillano’s contribution represents Thandii’s expanding creative network: artists united not by geography but by shared experience of cultural translation, of singing with multiple worlds behind them.

“Run Run” continues the artistic momentum established through previous singles “Coco Okayo” (opening track exploring coral reef memory) and “My Angel” (sensual meditation on connection). The three singles map different emotional and sonic territories of ‘Coco Okayo’—from environmental consciousness to romantic tenderness to the high-pressure sprint of immigrant life.

‘Coco Okayo’ remains an ambitious cultural exchange project: Thandii (Jess Berry and Graham Godfrey), operating from their Margate home studio HaloHalo, collaborated with Jun Regalado, the Philippines’ most recorded drummer and a living legend spanning nearly 60 years and nearly 500 album appearances.

Recorded in Manila using period-correct pre-amps, compressors, and instruments that recreate the tones of the 70s Manila Sound era, ‘Coco Okayo’ dances around genres—from OPM to soul, disco-funk and trip-hop—refusing categorization yet cohesive in sound. Thandii dubs this emerging sonic universe MAR-NILA: “A new genre coming from Filipino diaspora artists paying tribute to the Manila sound of the 70s, but combining it with modern day post-punk-disco, beat-driven-art-pop music coming from the small seaside town of Margate.”

About Thandii

Thandii (tan-dee) is an alternative-soul duo from Margate, Kent. Jess Berry and Graham Godfrey first turned heads with their 2023 debut ‘A Beat to Make It Better’, a cult favourite earning critical acclaim long after release. In 2024, they released the bold double feature ‘Dream With You’ and ‘Come As You’ (Rough Trade Album(s) of the Month), followed by ‘Halo’ (2025) and ‘FREE UP’ (September 2025).

Operating from home studio HaloHalo with intimacy that makes their music feel like an open diary, Thandii co-writes, co-records, and co-produces. Their self-description as Halo-Halo (Filipino term meaning “mix-mix”) pays homage to Graham’s Filipino heritage. Spotify RADAR Artists of the Month, with support from 6Music, RadioX, KCRW, and KEXP.

Critical Recognition: The Line of Best Fit, Clash, Pitchfork, Wonderland, NME

Dubbed “the most recorded drummer in the Philippines”, Jun Regalado’s career spans nearly 60 years with over 400 album appearances alongside renowned Filipino artists including VST & Co., Celeste Legaspi, and Pilita Corrales.

Starting as a teenager at Villar Records, Regalado quickly gained recognition, performing on Pilita Corrales’ weekly TV show (mid-1960s) and recording for film and television. His 1977 track “Pinoy Funk” (with jazz musician Eddie Munji III) was recently reissued by Soundway Records (2024), bringing his legacy to international attention. ‘Coco Okayo’ marks his first collaboration outside of his contemporaries, cementing his influence across generations.

Single: “Run Run” (feat. Ian Santillano)
Release Date: 25th August 2026

Album: ‘Coco Okayo’
Album Release Date: 11th September 2026
Label: Sama Sama Records (UK)
Format: Digital, Vinyl
Recording Location: Manila, Philippines