Maki, ibinahaging hindi niya na-enjoy ang kabataan dahil sa napakaraming 16 na kapatid
- OPM artist Maki reveals growing up as one of 17 siblings kept him from enjoying childhood
- He began singing seriously at 13 but lacked confidence performing in front of crowds, according to ABS-CBN
- Creative outlets like games and arts became his escape during an introverted youth
- Supportive parents and siblings later helped him pursue music despite early challenges
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OPM singer Maki opens up about how his large family made it hard to enjoy his childhood, as reported by ABS-CBN.
Source: Youtube
“Kasi para sa akin, hindi ko masyado na-maximize yung pagkabata ko kasi I had so many problems with the family growing up. Kasi 17 kaming magkakapatid. Pangalawa ako sa bunso I didn’t actually know how to be a kid kasi medyo maraming problema nung bata ako," he shared.
Only now is he exploring child-like hobbies, from toys to games, to reconnect with his inner child.
He also recalled starting to sing seriously at age 13 but struggling with confidence.
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“I started singing ng medyo serious nung 13 years old ako. Tapos I didn’t really have the confidence kasi I love music, I love singing, but only sa sarili ko," Maki said.
His first performance in front of a large audience in sixth grade led to many rejections.
“So sobrang daming mga rejections and I had a lot of rejections back then kasi maybe I wasn’t good enough at that time,” he admitted.
A naturally introverted and creative kid, Maki turned to arts and games for self-expression.
"I’m a very artsy person siguro talaga. Ever since naman. I like to be creative. I like to lead but at the same time, I like to be on my own most of the time," he explained.
These hobbies gave him the freedom to explore his imagination when real-life childhood experiences were limited.
Despite challenges, Maki credits his parents and siblings for their quiet but meaningful support.
“Even if we are close to our parents or not, malaking bagay yung suporta ng parents. Malaking validation yung nakukuha natin from our parents and our siblings,” he said.
Today, he embraces both music and play, finally giving his younger self the childhood he missed.
Maki, whose real name is Ralph William Datoon, was born on November 27, 1999, in Quezon City. He is a Filipino singer-songwriter signed under Tarsier Records, recognized for his emotional blend of alternative pop and R&B. A graduate of communications from New Era University, he first drew attention in 2023 with his debut EP Tanong, which included songs such as “Saan?” and “Bakit?”. His major breakthrough arrived in 2024 when “Dilaw” topped the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and entered Spotify’s global charts. Since then, he has released tracks like “Namumula,” “Bughaw,” and “Kahel na Langit,” establishing himself as a relatable voice for Gen Z through themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
In an earlier development, Maki’s appreciation post for BINI and member Maloi Ricalde circulated widely online. He shared on Instagram Stories how their friendship began and fondly looked back on their journey. Maki also opened up about collaborating with Maloi in the “Dilaw” music video, expressing pride in how far they have both come in their respective careers.
Meanwhile, Anne Curtis publicly shared her candid reaction to “Dilaw.” The actress posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, praising the song as it continued to gain momentum and trend across platforms.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
