MANILA: In what seems like a fairytale venture, Filipina singer Zephanie (pic) has stepped into the Disney world with the release of “Aking Hiling,” the Filipino rendition of “This Wish” from the soundtrack of the animated musical fantasy film “Wish.”

The inaugural winner of “Idol Philippines” now joins the ranks of other Filipino artists who have collaborated with Disney in the past, such as Janella Salvador, who covered “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” in 2016, and Moira dela Torre, with her rendition of “Reflection” for the live-action remake of “Mulan” in 2020.

Released on all music platforms on Nov 17, “Aking Hiling” is a musical journey that encourages listeners to stand up for what’s right and pursue the greater good, despite the inevitable fear and challenges that may come their way—which is also the theme of the movie.

This is something the reality singing show winner Zephanie has resonated greatly with.

In an Instagram post, the 20-year-old singer shared, “I believe that great things truly come at the right time and season of our lives. And I just can’t put into words how happy and grateful I feel for being given the opportunity to sing ‘Aking Hiling’ – the localised version of ‘This Wish’ from the soundtrack of Disney’s Wish.”

Overflowing with gratitude, Zephanie extended her appreciation to everyone involved in making this dream collaboration a reality.

“Thank you to everyone who made it possible! Thank you to all the people who believe in me,” she added. “I am so grateful for all the love and support you have given me since day one, so I wanna share this blessing with all of you!”

This isn’t Zephanie’s first enchanting encounter with Disney. Last year, she, along with Janella Salvador and Stell of SB19 performed classic Disney tunes during the launch of the streaming service Disney+.

In 2019, she also showcased her affinity for Disney with a medley of some of her favorite Disney songs. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN