Ratziel Bander

Ratziel Bander is recognized as the author behind the song 'Maharani,' a notable track by the Filipino boy band Alamat. This song, featured on their EP 'Pasulong,' was released as a single in early 2023. The lyrics delve into themes of unrequited love, told from the perspective of someone yearning for a person already in another relationship. The song's title, 'Maharani,' is a Sanskrit term meaning 'Great Queen,' referring to the wife of a maharaja. Musically, 'Maharani' is characterized by a fusion of traditional Southern Philippine music with contemporary R&B, trap, and neo-soul elements, incorporating instruments like the kanun, gamelan, and gangsa. The track was written, composed, and produced by Thyro Alfaro, with vocal arrangement by Zebedee Zuñiga and recording by Ponz Martinez. The single garnered significant critical acclaim and achieved commercial success, including winning Best R&B Recording at the 36th Awit Awards and charting on Billboard Philippines' Hot 100.

'Maharani' is a musical piece that artfully combines elements of R&B, trap, and neo-soul with indigenous Southeast Asian instrumentation. Instruments such as the kanun, gamelan, and gangsa are integrated into the song's soundscape. Lyrically, the song explores the concept of unrequited love, narrating the story of an admirer wishing to rescue someone from an unsatisfying existing relationship. The title itself, 'Maharani,' is a Sanskrit word signifying 'Great Queen,' the consort of a maharaja. The composer, Thyro Alfaro, drew inspiration from the traditional Maranao dance, singkil, for the song's rhythmic patterns and wooden sound effects. Alfaro intentionally shaped the lyrics and music around the title's meaning, aiming to subvert traditional roles often depicted in dances like the singkil, where the focus is on women seeking a king's favor, by having men pursue a queen's attention.

Upon its release, 'Maharani' received highly positive reviews from music critics, who praised its unique sound and thematic depth. It was highlighted as a benchmark for Alamat's artistic direction and sonic identity. The song achieved significant accolades, including winning the award for Best R&B Recording at the 36th Awit Awards. Furthermore, 'Maharani' made its debut on Billboard Philippines' Hot 100 chart, marking a notable achievement for Alamat as one of the first Filipino pop boy bands to chart on the platform. Its success was further cemented by its popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, where its choreography and catchy chorus became a viral trend, inspiring numerous user-generated videos and transition content.

The music video for 'Maharani,' directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, visually complements the song's themes of love and admiration. It features Alamat members alongside actress Jhoanna Robles, portraying a scenario of classmates rehearsing for a traditional singkil performance. Within the video, Robles and Alamat member Taneo Sebastian embody characters from the Maranao epic poem Darangen, with their on-screen chemistry developing as they practice the dance. The choreography incorporates several Philippine courtship dances, including takik, pangalay, and beneracion, alongside the tinikling. The visual style is further enhanced by the members' attire, featuring Marawi-inspired embroidered neckties and golden outfits, adding a rich cultural and aesthetic layer to the narrative.