Jhasmine Espinas Villanueva, (born April 16, 2001) professionally known as dwta, is a Filipino singer and songwriter born and raised in Albay, Bicol Region. She is known for her tracks "Padaba Taka" and "Santigwar".
She is known for incorporating her mother tongue, Bikol, in her songs.
Early life and education Jhasmine Espinas Villanueva was born and raised in the Bicol Region, hailing specifically from Tiwi, Albay. Before delving in songwriting, Villanueva was involved in other forms of art like dancing and never expected to pursue music until senior high school year when she was invited to join a songwriting workshop after jamming with friends at an event.
Villanueva initially wrote songs in Filipino before finding more comfort to making songs in her native language Bikol after joining a Bikol-language songwriting competition.
She attended the Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology College (MINT College) pursuing a degree in music business management.
Career Dwta gained recognition for her traditional music with contemporary genres. Her lyrics, often written in her native language, celebrate Filipino heritage and promote linguistic pride. She signed with Sony Music Philippines and adopted the stage name "dwta". The name is derived from the combination of the Filipino words "diwa" (spirit) and "tala" (star) which she deliberately chose for its Filipino-ness. She released her debut single, "Daluyong" (Waves) in 2021, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
Her career continued to flourish in 2023 when she joined the Coke Studio Philippines Season 7 lineup. This notable collaboration series brings together diverse Filipino artists wherein dwta collaborated with the P-pop group Alamat for the song "Kapit" (Hold).
The following year, in 2024, Dwta was part of the prestigious Wanderland Festival, an annual music event in the Philippines that features both local and international artists. At Wanderland, she shared the stage with global acts like Hwasa and Thundercat, marking another major milestone in her career. That same year, she was featured as one of the Spotify Radar artists for Class 2024, an initiative aimed at supporting emerging talent. Dwta's inclusion in the program, alongside fellow rising stars like BINI, Maki, and Cup of Joe.
Dwta's achievements have been marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2022, she received her first Awit Award nomination for her song "Panganoron" (Heavenly). The following year, she won her first Awit Award for "Padaba Taka" (I Love You), which became a breakout hit.
Her earlier song "Santigwar" also made waves, reaching #2 on the Spotify Viral 50 Philippines chart in 2022 and was nominated for Best Regional Recording at the Awit Awards, alongside Padaba Taka. She was also honored with a nomination for Listener's Choice at the inaugural Billboard Philippines Women in Music which celebrates the achievements of female artists in the Philippines.
In 2025, Dwta released "Kung Ikaw ay Masaya" (If You Are Happy) as the official soundtrack for the comedy film Flower Girl, starring Sue Ramirez. The same year marked a significant moment in her career as she received two major recognitions: New Artist of the Year at the New Hue Music Video Awards, and Folk Song of the Year for "Sampung mga Daliri" featuring Justin at the inaugural Filipino Music Awards. During this period, she also began composing songs for other artists, notably co-writing BINI's single "First Luv".
Accolades +AwardYearCategoryNotable WorkResultRef.Awit Awards2022Best Regional RecordingPanganoron NominatedAwit Awards2023Best Regional RecordingSantigwar NominatedBest Regional RecordingPadaba Taka WonBillboard Philippines Women in Music2024Listener's ChoiceDelikado NominatedAwit Awards2024Best Regional RecordingDelikado NominatedWish Music Awards2025Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the YearPadaba Taka NominatedBreakthrough Artist of the Yeardwta NominatedNew Hue Music Video Awards 2025New Artist of the Yeardwta WonFilipino Music Awards2025Folk Song of the YearSampung Mga Daliri WonAwit Awards2025Best Engineered RecordingPauwi Na'Ko NominatedBest Performance by a Solo ArtistPauwi Na'Ko NominatedBest Traditional/Contemporary Folk RecordingHuling Liham (with Paham) NominatedBillboard Philippines Women in Music2026Listener's ChoiceNasusunog (Pants On Fire) NominatedNew Hue Music Video Awards2026Female Artist of the YeardwtaPendingAwit Awards2026Best Performance by a Solo ArtistNasusunog (Pants On Fire) NominatedBest Pop RecordingLangit Lupa NominatedBest Cover ArtLangit Lupa Nominated
Discography
Extended play (EP) +TitleEP detailsRef.dwta: MINT Studio Sessions Released: November 29, 2023 Label: dwta, exclusively distributed by Sony Music Entertainment PHKamay Mo'y Nasan Na Released: February 12, 2025 Label: Sony Music Entertainment PHMagka-ibigan: Mga Kabanata Released: December 19, 2025 Label: Sony Music Entertainment PH
Singles
As a lead artist +TitleYearAlbumComposerProducerRef.Daluyong2021Non-album singlesJhasmine Villanueva (dwta)JP LanuzaAn Satuyang IstoryaKalangitanSam d e LeonPayapaPanganoronMapagbirong Tagpuan2022Wahly ZenitSantigwarPadaba TakaBrian LothoDelikado2023SMP (Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko)Kapit (with ALAMAT)2024MC Einstein and Janine TeñosoTahan Na (ft. Arthur Miguel)Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta)Pauwi Na 'Ko (Dito Ka Na Lang)Di NamanSampung Mga Daliri (ft. Justin)2025Nasusunog (Pants On Fire)2025Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta), Ashley Mehta, Martin Estrada, Tiana KocherMartin Estrada, Brian LothoKung Ikaw Ay Masaya (- From "Flower Girl")2025Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta)Brian LothoKumilos (ft. Higit sa Pag-Ibig, The Musical)2025Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta), Rain Sta. AnaJhasmine Villanueva (dwta), Rain Sta. AnaLangit Lupa2025Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta)Brian LothoAng Pag-Ibig Kong Ito2026Carlos Agawa, Ernie Dela PeñaTabi!2026Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta)Brian Lotho, Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta)At Kung Sakali (with Arthur Miguel)2026Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta), Arthur MiguelJhasmine Villanueva (dwta), Arthur Miguel, Luke April; Mixed by: Shadiel Chan; Mastered by: Jan Aried Agadier Fuertez
As a Featured Artist +TitleYearAlbumRefLihim (Nuarin Sasabihon) with Arthur Miguel2023Non-album singleHuling Liham with Paham2024Paham
Songwriting Credits +TitleArtistYearAlbumCreditsRefFirst LuvBINI2025FlamesComposerKapag UmuulanLeyo2025Non-album SingleLyricist
Filmography
Music Videos +TitleYearDirectorRefSantigwar2022Elyandre DagliPadaba TakaPanganoron2023Ang TikatikSMP (Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko)Elyandre DagliTahan Na (ft. Arthur Miguel)2024Jiggy GregorioPauwi Na 'KoElyandre Daglidwta series: Magka-Ibigan2024-2025Raliug (Lunchbox)Sampung Mga Daliri (ft. Justin)2025Tabi!2026Elyandre Dagli
References