Jake Zyrus exhibits the complicated emotions of a person in love in the music video of “Usahay,” his collab with Filipino-American musical director Troy Laureta which premiered on Valentine’s Day.
The music video, shot in Tagaytay and directed by Sherard Yu, showed off Jake’s affecting and intense emotions as he portrayed someone navigating the bliss and agony of love.
Jake’s partner Shyre Aquino also made a special appearance in the video, which was well-received by viewers.
“Sana mag-tuloy-tuloy ‘yung ganitong klaseng MV, superb! Sobrang soulful at galing ni Jake. Malungkot ‘yung MV at song pero na ko-cute an talaga ko kay Jake,” a netizen commented on YouTube.
Another one shared, “I get goosebumps each time I hear Jake’s version of this song. It never fails, it happens every time. Gosh! That voice is full of passion.”
The classic Visayan love song is part of the album “Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 1” co-produced by ABS-CBN Music International, which features beloved OPM love ballads interpreted by other world-class talents.
Meanwhile, the critically-acclaimed and award-winning documentary “Jake and Charice—which dug into the Filipino singer’s gender transition and musical journey—was aired again in Japan’s NHK General TV last February 14.
NHK executive producer Shin Yasuda said that Jake’s story empowers especially those who are struggling to live their own truth. “By allowing people to witness his vulnerability, Jake has proven that one can survive life’s hardships and that that experience can sometimes enrich music and art at a deeper level.”
“One of the reasons this documentary was so well received was Jake’s personality; his frankness and honesty were conveyed in his interviews, talking to us about his joys and sorrows,” director Hiroko Ninomiya echoed.
Watch the music video of Jake and Troy’s “Usahay” on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel, and stream “Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 1” on various digital music streaming platforms.
