BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Sam Hashimoto, aka Hashibobo, a model-singer who won in Mr. Guam 2017, released the official music video for his new single ‘Before the Night Disappears’ under Empire Music (of Empire Philippines) and Tarsier Records, last February 24.

The minimalist music video features Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne. The song’s mainly about holding on to a love that is slowly slipping away. Even though his main instrument is the tuba, Hashimoto can be seen playing the piano here.

He performed the song live at Pardon My French in Makati City together with the M’Town Band. Hashimoto recalled that his first modeling gig in the Philippines was for Mega Magazine, and he was able to work with celebrity photographer Dookie Ducay then. “I’m half-Korean, quarter Japanese, quarter Chinese,” he said regarding his ancestry. “I’m very grateful for modeling. Modeling has got me a lot of work, a lot of recognition,” he added.

However, he loves the Filipino culture a lot and growing up surrounded by Filipinos was a big factor. His aunt, whom he grew up with, married a Filipino. When Sam grew older, he moved in with his sister, who also got married to a Filipino. In kindergarten, the singer even told people that he has the same surname as his uncle, and got corrected by his aunt. “No, Sam. You can’t say that’s your last name because that’s not what’s on your I.D.,” he recalled his aunt saying.

Hashimoto joined It’s Showtime’s ‘Bidaman’ in 2019 as contestant #1 and even went viral the same year for his video with Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro, where they asked him to speak Tagalog. That content has been viewed over 2 million times. In the same year, he did a song cover of Morissette Amon’s ‘Akin Ka Na Lang’ and got 277,000 views.

Hashimoto stated that he doesn’t view the music industry as a venue for competition. Rather, he just wants to be heard and that is actually what makes him stand out. “Nobody can tell my story like I can,” he said confidently. His heart is actually with music rather than modeling.

“My goal for music is I want people to be taken on an adventure, on a story. When they hear my music, I want them to feel something,” said the model-singer.

‘Before the Night Disappears’ can be viewed on the Empire Philippines Youtube channel and is available on other streaming platforms like Spotify. Use this link for the complete platforms list: https://orcd.co/samhashimoto-btnd?fbclid=IwAR1zZ_h3MS6MDVM-wvTTcB9g5ZXoEXR8XvwUMMAeBf4yr4I0Pd3vOCQ64eY

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Buzz Beat Media