Fil-Dutch singer marks new beginning

CEBU, Philippines — Filipino-Dutch singer-songwriter Acoya has dropped the song “DUI,” his first project under ABS-CBN Music International (AMI).

The Los Angeles-based pop-R&B artist, who trained at Los Angeles Academy for Artists & Music Production and was mentored by Grammy-winning producer duo Stargate, is one of the maiden acts of AMI, a joint venture between ABS-CBN Music and ABS-CBN Global dedicated to bringing Filipino talent to audiences around the world. 

Acoya co-wrote "DUI" with Eric Bonner, transforming the term 'driving under the influence' into a metaphor for romantic obsession. Instead of intoxication from alcohol, the song captures the overwhelming rush of being completely consumed by attraction.

“I wanted to write a song about that moment when someone completely throws you off your game,” Acoya shared. “You know you're moving too fast. You know you should probably slow down. But there's a part of you that doesn't want to hit the brakes.”

"DUI's" music video brings the song's playful concept to life, turning love into a thrilling game of temptation. Blending flirtatious moments with cinematic visuals, it mirrors the excitement of surrendering to feelings that are impossible to resist. At its core, it's a love song disguised as a warning sign. It's about being so drawn to someone that you willingly give up control, even when you know exactly where it might lead," he added. 

Known for blending contemporary pop and R&B with honest storytelling, Acoya first introduced his music through “Loverboy” in 2024 and continued to showcase his musicality with succeeding singles “Dreaming,” “Casanova,” and “Is It Cool?” His latest single, out now on all digital streaming platforms, signals another step in his growing musical journey as he reaches a wider global audience. — (FREEMAN)