Darren Espanto jokes 'Maui Wowie' 'made an impact in entertainment landscape'

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December 16, 2025 | 5:41pm

MANILA, Philippines — Singer Darren Espanto made a slight tweak to his interpretation of the 2008 song "Maui Wowie" while dancing to it in an episode of "ASAP" but he did not expect that it would become a hit online. 

Darren's "ASAP" performance saw the former child star dancing to the Kid Cudi song while hanging onto a bar with one hand and singing it a notch higher than its original key. 

In his interview with "TV Patrol," Darren said he sang the song with a higher register, making it trend on social media.

“The song was a bit too low for my register. So I sang it an octave higher kaya nag-viral siya," he said.

@d_simplejazzy THE TOTAL PERFORMER that you are! ????? You effortlessly nailed this hot performance! I'm so proud of you @darrenespanto ???????????? #darren #darrenespanto #ASAP #mauiwowie #fyp ? Maui Wowie - Kid Cudi

The "Voice Kids" alumni said that he has become associated with the song and viral "ASAP" dance production number that some people began to call him "Maui Wowie" instead of his name. 

"When I walked into ABS-CBN, no one called me Darren. Lahat ng nakakita sa’kin, 'Maui Wowie.' Lahat ng mga artists, staff, and the crew. I feel like I made an impact in the entertainment landscape,” Darren said before laughing.

“Grabe, si James Charles, he lip-synced my voice kasi magka-boses daw kami,” he added, referring to the American content creator.

Celebrities, such as Kyle Echarri, Rocco Nacino, Vicki Belo, SB19, and even former ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, did the "Maui Wowie" trend made viral by Darren.

RELATED: Darren Espanto marks 11th anniversary with new album, 1st for Star Music