In Original Pilipino Music (OPM), there are artists and groups known as "one-hit wonders" — those who gained fame primarily due to a single hit song. While some have faded into obscurity, others remain memorable to this day. Here's a look back at some of these artists and their stories.
Weedd
The band Weedd popularized the song "Long Hair?" in 1995 from their self-titled album under Universal Records. Former vocalist Oinky Panganiban is no longer active in recording, but his voice continues to live on through this reggae classic.
Michael Laygo
Laygo became known for his 1996 hit "Minahal Kita," which remained his only major success. Now based in Las Vegas, Nevada, he performs as the lead singer of the group Society of Seven. His wife passed away in 2018 due to meningitis.
Allona
Allona Villanueva, once called the "Toni Braxton of the Philippines," made her mark with the 1994 hit "Someone's Always Saying Goodbye," composed by Vehnee Saturno. She remains active in gigs but has stepped away from the mainstream.
Dan Henry
The Filipino musical duo Dan Henry, composed of Danee Samonte and Henry Toribio, gained fame with their 1981 hit "20 Minutes Before Take-Off." Toribio passed away in 1988, while Samonte now works as a concert producer.
Chad Borja
Chad Borja's 1992 hit "Ikaw Lang," composed by Cebuano musicians Boogie and Barney Borja, became his signature song. He was unable to follow up with another major hit. His real name is Quintin Singson Jr., and he remains active as a performer. In April, he was a guest of Joey Albert in Manila.
The Advisors
The funk disco band The Advisors had their signature hit "Yugyugan Na" in 1977 during the Manila Sound era. Vocalist Ting Bernabe, who first popularized the song, has passed away. The song was later revived through a cover by Karl Roy and his band P.O.T. in the 1990s; Karl Roy has also since passed away.
Marc Velasco
Marc Velasco gained popularity with his acoustic ballad "Ordinary Song" in 1998 under Sony Music. He released a new single, "Masaya Ka Na Ba," in 2022 and has performed on Wish 107.5. However, "Ordinary Song" remains his biggest hit to date.
