ZAMBOANGA CITY—Zamboangeños are beaming with pride over the newfound popularity of a local college band across the country and even abroad.

Maldita (which means crafty in Mexican Spanish) has been making waves after a video of its song, “Porque (Why),” was uploaded on YouTube more than a year ago.

Written in Zamboanga’s language, Chavacano, “Porque” features a woman expressing regret after being dumped by a lover.

YouTube viewers from as far as Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries have been heaping praises on a song they could only partly understand. Chavacano mixes Spanish words with Visayan and other local languages.

One of Maldita’s original members, Roel “Whey” Guevarra, said he wrote “Porque” from personal experience. He used Chavacano for the lyrics because he wanted to showcase his native tongue.

“I was just hoping that someone will appreciate our Chavacano songs,” Whey said.

After it gained fans on YouTube, a local radio station started playing the song.

Viva Records has recently signed Maldita to a five-year contract. Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao