Meunnie Cullantes |Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — If you read Meunnie Cullantes’ name on social media, you would probably remember all her sentimental or funny posts on her Facebook page, “Mayman Ka Dhai.”
But Cullantes does not want to be remembered as an online sensation only, and she also wants to be remembered as a singer which she considers as a childhood dream.
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter and vlogger will soon release her third single after the successful release of “Kinsa’y Para Nimo” in 2018 and “Mangamatay Ra Tang Tanan” in 2017 under Viva Records.
“Karon medyo veyga na siya (upcoming single). Dili na siya maoy,” she told Cebu Daily News Digital.
(This new single is not all about hurting and being sentimental anymore. It has a lighter mood.)
She refused to reveal the title of her upcoming song but the inspiration behind it is her crush.
“Yes, ultimate crush nako. Siya ako inspiration,” Cullantes said.
(Yes, my ultimate crush. He is my inspiration.)
She realized that it is time to move from sentimental songs after she released “Kinsa’y Para Nimo” in 2018.
“Kapoya diay mag sige og senti-senti and maoy sa music video uy! Pwede mag lipay-lipay ta or biga lang?” she said.
(Being sentimental in music video is tiring. I thought of being happy this time.)
Her first two songs “Kinsa’y Para Nimo” and “Mangamatay Ra Tang Tanan” were dedicated to one person he met in Cebu.
“Sawi ko ato. Like gipaasa ka na feeling. Ni hope ko na magka kami. Ni pursue siya og una unya nikalit lang og ka lie low,” Cullantes explained.
(I was broken that time. I was hoping that we would end up together. He pursued me at first but later on he was out of sight.)
After all the experiences, Cullantes learned not to force oneself to someone or in any situation.
“Ayaw pamugos. Naay mas better mo abot,” she added
(Don’t force yourself. Better things will come.)
More opportunities in Cebu
Cullantes is a native of Butuan City. She is an Information Technology (IT) graduate of Father Saturnino Urios University.
She rose to fame because of her comical skits and started “Mayman Ka Dhai” Facebook page with her bestfriend Steffi Jardin back in Butuan City in 2015.
Read more: A fresh start
It all started uploading video contents where they portrayed different type of girlfriends.
At present, her Facebook page has more 526,000 likes while her YouTube account has more than 72,000 subscribers.
She moved to Cebu City in 2018.
“Mas dali molambo ang career. Naa ang tanang opportunities diri,” she said.
(It’s easier to grow one’s career here. All the opportunities are here.)
The same year, she signed a contract with Viva Artist Agency, the same talent management of Vice Ganda, Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, and Nadine Lustre.
“Gusto ko motry og (I want to try) new opportunities, and I do not see anything wrong mo sign ko sa (in signing up with) Viva. In fact, it really helped me,” she said.
Being with Viva has also helped her career especially producing her songs.
Even before, Cullantes was already inclined to singing.
She even enrolled in a voice lesson classes seven years ago with Kapamilya singer and “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 2 Jason Dy.
“Dili man ko birit gyud. Pang chill ra akong tingog,” Cullantes said as she prefers Rhythm and Blues (RnB) as her main genre. /dbs