For weeks, moviegoers have been asking the same question after watching Call Me Mother: Who is the voice behind “Tala”?

The hauntingly tender rendition that drifts through some of the film’s most emotional moments left a lingering impact—quiet, sincere, and deeply felt.

Music hitmaker and Star Pop creative head Jonathan Manalo has finally put a name to that voice, and in doing so introduced a new artist poised to make his mark on the original Pilipino music (OPM) scene.

Behind the unforgettable “Tala” heard in Vice Ganda’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box-office hit is Bryan Chong, a singer-songwriter personally handpicked by Vice to reinterpret the beloved song for the film. According to Manalo, the choice was deliberate: Chong’s voice carried the emotional weight the story required—subtle but powerful, gentle yet resonant.

Audiences quickly felt it. Viewers took to social media to share how the song heightened the film’s emotional pull, giving certain scenes an extra nudge toward the heart. Rather than overpowering the narrative, the rendition blended seamlessly into it, becoming an extension of the characters’ inner lives.

But Bryan Chong is far from an overnight discovery.

Manalo revealed that Chong is one of the newest artists under the Star Pop label of ABS-CBN Music, steadily building a following through his own songwriting and releases. He recently dropped his album Departure, a collection that showcases both lyrical wit and emotional depth. Some tracks may already sound familiar to digital natives—particularly “ErePlano,” a clever play on words that became a TikTok favorite for its relatable take on plans left hanging and feelings left unsaid.

Other songs from the album, such as “Sugal” and “Hindi Tayo,” have also found life on screen, serving as original soundtracks for the iWant series Ghosting. For listeners drawn to something bolder and more playful, “MLNDE” stands out as an intriguingly catchy track that highlights Chong’s versatility as an artist.

With Call Me Mother, Bryan Chong’s voice has now reached a much wider audience—introduced not through flashy promotion, but through feeling. It is a reminder that some of the most powerful musical moments in cinema arrive quietly, carried by a voice that understands the story it is meant to serve.

As Jonathan Manalo invites listeners to explore Chong’s growing body of work, one thing is clear: the voice behind “Tala” is no longer a mystery, and Bryan Chong’s journey is only beginning.