MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Singer, songwriter, and hit-maker Moira Dela Torre officially signs with Republic Records Philippines, a division of UMG Philippines Inc. She follows a long list of superstars and developing artists under the same record label, globally and locally. This new endeavor is in partnership with Moira’s management, Cornerstone Entertainment Inc., a premier Filipino multimedia entertainment agency, home to over a hundred of talented and well-known Filipino artists of this generation.
A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, Republic Records has been recognized by Billboard as the industry’s #1 label over the last 10 years. It is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Ariana Grande, Ciara, Clairo, Conan Gray, Daddy Yankee, Drake, Glass Animals, Florence + the Machine, Greta Van Fleet, Hailee Steinfeld, James Bay, Jessie J, Jimmy Fallon, John Legend, Jonas Brothers, Julia Michaels, Kid Cudi, Kim Petras, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Nicki Minaj, Of Monsters and Men, Post Malone, Stevie Wonder, Swedish House Mafia, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Twice, TXT, and more. Recently launched In the Philippines, Republic Records Philippines’ roster includes fellow chart-toppers and multi-talented rising artists, including Zack Tabudlo, Darren, Elha Nympha, and more.
In 2017 and 2018, Moira became the top Filipino streaming artist in the country. From 2019 to the current year, she has been the top female Filipino streaming artist on Spotify. Her albums “Patawad” and “Malaya” are some of the most streamed albums in the Philippines in 2021. Last year, she reached a huge career milestone, surpassing 1 billion streams. This year, she got 8 million followers on Spotify, making her the most followed Filipino artist on the streaming platform.
Moira has received awards and nominations from various local and international award-giving organizations. In 2019, she was nominated as Favorite Southeast Asian Artist at the MTV Europe Music Awards and won ‘Song of The Year for “Paubaya” from TAG Awards Chicago. In the Philippines, she’s won multiple nominations, including Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Female Recording Artist of the Year, Mellow Video of the Year, Ballad Song of the Year, and more from Awit Awards, MYX Music Awards, MOR Pinoy Music Awards, PMPC Music Awards, and Wish Music Awards.
Moira is also now officially part of UMG, with offices in more than 60 countries, the world leader in music- based entertainment, home to the most iconic local record labels – Republic Records Philippines, Island Records Philippines, and Def Jam Philippines and influential local artists like Juan Karlos, ZILD, Blaster, FERN., Cheats, and more.
On the big change
With so many plans in the pipeline and exciting happenings, Moira still believes that change is constant — and with it comes deep lessons about her career growth moving forward.
“This career move is something I’ve been putting off because I’ve always been afraid to try new sounds for myself; to explore different narratives; to grow from where I’ve always been…. and having gone through what this year has given me, I feel it brought with it, ironically, a new kind of strength and courage and hope,” she opened up.
But, she remains grateful to her roots. Moira cites her ABS-CBN family, believing the move feels more like an expansion than a transfer. It’s about moving away from her comfort zone and exploring a more evolved sound.
Why choose UMG?
When asked why she chose UMG, Moira said, “What I appreciate the most about UMG is seeing how collaborative they are with their artists and how smart they work — further allowing us to focus [on] growing our craft and just keep creating.”
In the grand scheme of things, she believes that the group can help her become part of the movement “making OPM even greater.”
Things to look forward to
Moira’s fans, there’s no need to worry! The singer shares that her spring album is coming, following “Malaya,” an ode to fall and then “Patawad,” a serenade of winter, expressing pain and heartbreak. On the other hand, her much-awaited spring album speaks of hope and growth.
“Spring means growth, and growth is hard and can be uncomfortable. But it’s in those moments— when we think we’re breaking — we’re actually blooming. It’s my most raw and vulnerable album yet, and it’s coming very, very soon.”
Her description of her spring album coincides with her new single, “Aking Habang Buhay,” written for Donbelle’s new movie, An Inconvenient Love. It’s a song that talks about faith, breaking away from the past, and recognizing that love can conquer old wounds.
She shared the line: “Naiintindihan ko na kung bakit walang nagtagal sa kahit na sinong sinugal,” which speaks about how God can turn something painful into a good story — better than what we can ever dream of.
But more than her dreamy voice and undeniable mastery of lyrical storytelling, Moira’s ready to take on the world.
Apart from an Araneta concert, the next few months will be followed by a local tour, and then an international tour to meet her fans outside the country.
