Bernadette Sembrano has turned to songwriting anew to console Filipinos amid troubling times through her latest single under Star Music titled “Yakap,” released on May 5 exactly a year after ABS-CBN’s shutdown.

“I miss comforting people with a hug. And I miss being hugged, too. Please allow our music to embrace you during these times,” she said.

The idea for the track first crossed the “TV Patrol” anchor’s mind a few months into the pandemic last year, where everyone’s fear of contracting COVID-19 was especially heightened.

Bernadette wondered what difference the act of hugging each other would have made, to which ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo suggested, “Why don’t you write lyrics to a ‘Yakap’ song?”

From there, she found inspiration to pen the track’s lyrics, which extended to ‘hearing’ its music—thus making “Yakap” the first song she both wrote and composed. Jonathan then stepped in to produce it.

The meaningful single also serves as a melodic companion for Kapamilya fans, artists, workers, and their families who frequently used the word ‘yakap’ to condole with each other during last year’s shutdown of ABS-CBN’s broadcast operations.

Meanwhile, the track has taken on a new personal meaning for Bernadette after her recent recovery from COVID-19.

“It became like a note to self,” she shared. “The song’s intention was to comfort others, but now that I am going through anxiety myself, I was being reminded to remember the good times, smile, and all shall be well.”

Previously, the ABS-CBN News personality collaborated with Jonathan for the titular song of the Kapamilya teleserye of the same name “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.” She also released the Christmas-themed track “Yakapin Ang Pasko” in 2020.

Be comforted by Bernadette’s latest single “Yakap,” out now on various digital streaming platforms. For more details, like Star Music on Facebook (www.facebook.com/starmusicph) and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@StarMusicPH).