AndreaH, a British-Filipina music artist and a promising young act who recently joined the roster of Viva Records artists, has released her own rendition of “Tahanan (English Version),” originally popularized by El Manu.
The song is known to tenderly capture a slow-burn love story between two people who went through almost-but-never-enough moments. In the end, fate brings their hearts back together, finally allowing them to fulfill the love they have long been committed to.
However, AndreaH's version extends beyond romantic love and could be dedicated to anyone meant to be in one's life. When she first teased the track, listeners were already curious about how the English spin could even be interpreted as a potential worship song.
Through this release, AndreaH has found a way to embrace her Filipino roots while gaining recognition for her talent as a singer and showcasing her songwriting skills by crafting her own versions of beloved OPM songs in English.
She never knew that it would only take a slight push from a friend who incessantly believed in her songwriting, encouraging her to get on TikTok to introduce herself in the music scene.
One viral video that put her on the radar is her own English rendition of “Multo” by Cup of Joe, the longest-running No.1 song in the history of Spotify Philippines. It garnered over 17.2 million views.
“I never believed in myself. But last year, I did, and then I blew up. I posted every day for three months,” AndreaH said, reflecting the struggles and rejection she faced before this redirection.
At 24, AndreaH has already done a lot of work in the industry. Known for her
journal-entry-like tracks, “Best Friend” and “Dream,” she has been writing songs since she was 13.
She has also composed music and written lyrics for other artists when she worked in Hong Kong as a concert promoter, producing shows for international artists. These experiences led to major milestones in her career, including opening for global acts such as Sam Smith and The Script.
“It’s a bit surreal because I’ve spent so many years as a singer myself, and now, I’m also on the other side of the industry, helping put artists on stage. It feels like a full-circle moment,” she shared.
Born in the Philippines, Andrea Hosking grew up in Thailand. Her frequent visits to the United Kingdom and her work experience in Hong Kong highlight how her passion for music makes her an artist who goes beyond borders.
“I grew up around a lot of different languages. I can understand Tagalog completely, though my speaking isn’t the best. I also speak a bit of Thai since I grew up in Thailand, and some Mandarin from living in Hong Kong for five years and studying it in high school. One of my goals this year is actually to become fluent in Tagalog,” AndreaH narrated.
When she returned to Manila to pursue her career as a singer-songwriter, the cultural exposure she had at home growing up finally made sense. She began to notice Filipino customs that reminded of her mother, jokingly saying that her mum speaks at a hundred-percent volume like most Filipinos. Her pursuit to immerse herself in Philippine culture is very intentional. She is learning to speak Tagalog so she can better communicate with her grandmother, who is currently living with dementia — a condition that affects memory and cognition, sometimes causing her to forget how to speak in English.
AndreaH, who graduated with a psychology degree from the University of Hong Kong, has become vocal in her advocacy for mental health. As someone who has been clinically diagnosed with ADHD, she raises awareness about the condition, while music remains essential to her goal of exploring its impact on psychological well-being.
Recently, she signed with Viva Music Group, the largest label group in the Philippines, under its Ivory Music label.
“Tahanan (English Version)” is now available on all digital streaming platforms.
