Jopay, kumusta ka na?

By Justine Denise S. Cruz ‘

Wag ka nang mawala.

Even upon reading the first line, your heart knows too well the tune of this famous record-breaking hit. Nearly two decades later, it had a brand new lease on life.

Jopay, written and recorded **by alternative rock band Mayonnaise, was released in 2004 as their first single in their self-titled debut album. A hit then, the 19-year-old anthem had found its way once more to the hearts of listeners today, bringing together old and new fans.

Jopay, kumusta ka na nga ba? First time listeners would most likely ask themselves, “Sino nga ba si

Jopay? ”.

Monty Macalino, the lead vocalist of the fivepiece band, shared that the inspiration for this song is no other than Jopay Paguia, one of the original members of Sexbomb Girls.

The band frontman shared that when he saw a Lenten special of *Eat Bulaga!* back in 2002, which featured the Filipina dancer, he instantly knew that he would like to write a song about her.

“Pagbukas ko ng TV, nakita ko ‘yong isang SexBomb dancer (Jopay) umiiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Ba’t kaya umiiyak ‘to? ‘Di ba nasayaw lang ‘to?’ So, pumasok sa utak ko parang ‘ayaw ko siya makitang umiyak, ayoko siyang makitang malungkot,” the Kapag Lasing Malambing singer shared in a 2021 interview with OG

After composing and recording the demo for the song, he shared that he personally handed out a taped copy to the then 17-year-old dancer after one of her tapings for the noontime show. The song wasn’t released to the public until two years later.

Meanwhile, Jopay only first heard the song dedicated to her on a taxi ride years later. That’s when she remembered the demo copy given to her.