The Filipino R&B artist-producer’s late-’90s-inspired track is enjoying a fresh wave of attention as nostalgic sounds make their way back into pop culture conversations
Check out the rainy, soul-stirring music video here
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Nostalgia is finding its way back into the Filipino music conversation, with the sounds and sensibilities of late-’90s and early-2000s R&B now reimagined for the modern audience.
Among the songs benefiting from this renewed interest is Fern.’s “Kahit Na Umulan,” which has recently found new life on TikTok through the unexpected Dinorobong Tubo dance trend, Dante Gulapa’s Flying Eagle take on the track, and the platform’s humor-driven remix culture.
Online traction
Its newfound virality reflects TikTok’s unpredictable role in music discovery, where songs can shift between sincerity and humor and reach audiences far beyond their original release cycle.
According to the Filipino artist-producer, the renewed attention came unexpectedly. While traveling home from Canada, he noticed the trend taking off during his connecting flights and later saw its impact in the song’s streaming numbers.
“All of a sudden it became a trend, but none of those are controlled by us,” Fern. says. “We put the song out there, and I think people have just gotten accustomed to my vibe, sound, and brand.”
The timing of “Kahit Na Umulan” also coincides with a broader appetite for warmer, more emotionally driven music. Fern. attributes the renewed appeal of romantic R&B to the cyclical nature of musical taste.
“People are getting tired of fast, upbeat stuff,” he points out. “The heartfelt ones are making a huge comeback. It’s a cycle.”
The song’s pairing with the humorous Dinorobong Tubo trend further shows how contemporary audiences engage with music, letting a single track function as a romantic throwback, a source of humor, and an entry point into another era. “It’s funny and unexpected, but I rode with it,” admits the MANILA SOUL adventurist.
Music video release
With the song gaining traction online, Fern. and his team released the music video for “Kahit Na Umulan,” shot in Canada a few months ago. Developed with Fern.’s close creative direction, the video translates the song’s romantic atmosphere into rainy, sensual imagery and reinforces his interest in millennial R&B visual storytelling, cinema, pop culture, and humor.
For Fern., the resurgence aligns with his decision to pursue greater creative independence and develop music from a more personal perspective. “I’m planning to take what I have now and do what feels original on my end,” he says. “I’ve finally figured out where I’m coming from.”
Watch the music video of “Kahit Na Umulan” here.