There’s truly no denying the magic that happens when Filipino talent takes center stage. When we sing and perform our hearts out, everyone stops in their tracks to listen, and Janine Berdin is a shining example of that.
On May 18, 2026, the powerhouse vocalist performed one of her recent singles, “What If I Miss You for the Rest of My Life?” live at the iconic Wish 107.5 FM bus. Sure enough, it was nothing short of intense and emotionally charged, each verse filled with Janine’s tagos-sa-puso vocals that touched hearts all over the world.
Photo: Janine Berdin, Demi Lovato/Instagram
In a pleasantly surprising turn of events, Janine’s performance blew up on social media, garnering over a million likes and counting. As it rose to prominence, it also reached the radars of several international recording artists—award-winning ones, no less. Just a few days after she shared her Wish video on social media, it made a remarkable impact on none other than:
- Versatile music superstar Demi Lovato,
- Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter Doechii,
- Singer-songwriter and former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui, and
- Pop and R&B hitmaker SZA.
Janine’s virality was unexpected, but wholeheartedly welcomed and celebrated. After all, a win for her is a major step forward for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and its global reach.
What International Celebrities Had to Say
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Janine’s Instagram comment section was filled to the brim with love and support from local and Western artists alike.
“Holy sh*t,” Demi wrote, summarizing our amazement into a simple yet effective comment.
Meanwhile, Lauren said, “Siiiing.”
Doechii reposted Janine’s performance on TikTok, while SZA left a like on Instagram. The song also received immense support from Alexa Ilacad, Niana Guerrero, Gelo Rivera of BGYO, and many other major names in Philippine entertainment.
A Song That Tells a Sentimental Story
There are layers to “What If I Miss You for the Rest of My Life?” that only the most diligent “yearners” and hopeless romantics can understand thoroughly. What started as a song that Janine wrote “while sh*tting on the toilet” has now become a universal anthem for grief, longing, and relationships that were never meant to make it in the long run. Some of the song’s lyrics are even in all caps, emphasizing the enduring pain of “waiting and waiting for some until the city burns.”
“What If I Miss You for the Rest of My Life?” is one of 11 tracks that make up Janine’s debut album, LAB SONGS NG MGA TANGA. She extensively explores the complexities of human connections and the beautifully flawed aspects of our emotions through indie, alternative, and rock influences that’ve shaped her sound in OPM.
A Well-deserved Moment of Growth
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Filipinos are no strangers to Janine’s sheer talent and star power, which she has diligently been showcasing since her Tawag ng Tanghalan days back in 2018. It’s no surprise that she has continuously reeled in a wide variety of achievements and opportunities since winning the nationwide competition. These include:
- Giving life to the theme songs of local films and teleseryes,
- Making a name for herself in OPM with her powerful discography and many viral hits,
- Collaborating with various Filipino artists, including Ben&Ben, Illest Morena, Dom Guyot, Angela Ken, and Sam Mangubat, to name a few.
Now, Janine can proudly hone her craft and revel in her tremendous growth as an artist, proving that Filipinos will always belong on global stages.
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What are your favorite songs and live performances by Janine Berdin? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
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