Following controversy, Shaira Moro says she's grateful for popularity of her song 'Selos'

Earlier this week, a song by rising star Shaira Moro, dubbed by netizens as "Queen of B-Pop or Bangsamoro Pop," was voluntarily removed from streaming platforms following issues of copyright infringement.

Titled "Selos," Moro's recording label AHS Channel removed the piece from streaming platforms after Australian singer Lenka's team took legal action against Shaira for using the melody of her song "Trouble Is a Friend."

In an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," Shaira said that she did not expect "Selos" to go viral.

AG, the composer of the song "Selos" said, "Nag-email sa amin ang kampo ni Idol Lenka about du'n sa claim nila ng intellectual property. Inaayos namin 'yung pagkuha ng cover license para daw malagay na sa legal."

["We received an email from Lenka and their intellectual property claim. We are currently in the process of obtaining a cover license."]

"Ang nangyayari is parang settlement na lang dahil naiintindihan nila kami na talagang admire lang talaga kami sa idol namin na si Lenka," the composer added.

["It's like a settlement because they understand that we are really just fans of Lenka."]

"Hindi po namin expected na ganu'n po magva-viral siya. Gagamitin siya ng mga sikat na mga vlogger ngayon, mga artist. Kahit sa ibang bansa nagagamit na nila ngayon," Shaira said.

["We didn't expect the song to go viral or for famous vloggers to use. It's even gaining popularity abroad."]

Shaira said that she's grateful for how many gigs she received after the song grew in popularity.

"Masarap po sa pakiramdam. Proud ako sa sarili ko. Napapag-aral ko 'yung sarili ko dahil sa pagkanta-kanta ko tuwing gabi," she said, adding that she's set to graduate with a degree in social work.

["It feels good. I'm able to send myself to school through singing."]

Her other songs have also received more attention.

Shaira, who has been happily married to her husband, Muiz, for five years already, admitted that, like true to her song, there are also times when she feels jealous.

"Promise ko sa kanya, hindi na ako magkakagusto nang iba," Muiz said.

["I made a promise to her that I won't have feelings for anyone else."]

"Selos" was composed by AG, who admitted that its tune was from Lenka's work.

"I'm a big fan talaga ni Lenka kasi 'yung songs niya masyadong witty, madaling masabayan.  From the day na pag-upload pa lang namin, nag-disclaimer kami sa pag-upload namin kasi iniiwasan natin 'yung mga infringement or something," AG said.

["I'm a big fan of Lenka's work. When we uploaded the video, we included a disclaimer so we would not infringe any intellectual property."]

Atty. Jass May Santiago said, "Ang paggamit kasi ng artistic work, or melody ng isang kanta nang walang pahintulot mula sa copyright owner nito ay maituturing na isang copyright infringement."

["Any use of artistic work or melody of a song without permission from its original copyright owner can be considered a copyright infringement."]

Shaira's look-alike

The similarity between the songs was not the only thing that netizens took notice of following the popularity of "Selos."

They also pointed out Shaira's resemblance to a content creator named Jomar Yee. Jomar said he's game to do a collaboration, and agreed their eyes were similar.

Jomar said, "Naisip ko na why not gagawa ako ng content kasi parang hawig nga kami sa mata. As respect na rin sa culture nila ay hindi na ako nag hijab, tinweak ko nalang ang aking damit. Hindi kasi for fun ang hijab."

["I thought of creating content because we had some similarities. But as a sign of respect for their culture, decided not to wear the hijab as a sign if respect."]

On Saturday, Jomar flew to Sultan Kudarat to meet Shaira.

"Basta masasabi ko lang para akong nagsasalamin. Ang galing. Lalo na nung naka-brace ako. Ganyan talaga," Jomar said.

["It's amazing, it's like I'm looking in a mirror. That's how I looked when I had my braces."]

The two artists even made a collab video.

"Ang galing mo kasi. Ipagpatuloy mo lang 'yan Bhe [You're really good. Just keep it up]," Jomar praised Shaira's talent.

Shaira said, "Thank you rin kasi parang na-proud ako na siyempre marami pa lang na-influence ng kanta."

["Thank you. It feels good to know that my song reached so many people."]

"Sana peace na lang po lahat para lahat po ng mga fans ni Lenka and fans po namin is maging OK na, spread love na lang po and maging good vibes po lahat," she added.

["We hope our fans would all get along. Let's just spread love and good vibes."]

—JCB, GMA Integrated News