If you’ve been scrolling TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen people hanging off street signs, singing or lip-syncing to the catchy lines, “Goin’ back to Honolulu just to get that Maui Wowie.” What started as a quirky challenge has now become a viral sensation, and Filipino star Darren Espanto just added his own flavor to it.
Originally a 2008 track by American rapper Kid Cudi, Maui Wowie references a famous Hawaiian cannabis strain. But the online trend is all about fun: participants try to sing along while dangling from various objects, showing off their balance, their outfits, or even their fit bods.
The trend, which began with TikTok user @aaronxbrownn, has seen countless recreations, including those by Filipino celebrities like Shuvee Etrata and Anthony Constantino. But it was Darren Espanto’s live performance on ASAP that truly set social media abuzz. Wearing a simple black tank top and pants, Darren delivered a dramatic, emotion-packed rendition that some fans jokingly called “extra” compared to the chill vibe of the original.
The performance quickly became a meme, inspiring impersonations from fellow celebrities Anne Curtis, Kyle Echarri, Jason Dy, and more. Darren even joined the fun, sharing a compilation of all the impersonations on Instagram and giving his own take an extra dose of flair.
“It’s ya boi, Maui Wowiespanto! Salamat sa pag-tangkilik sa version ko, guys. It means a lot,” he captioned.
From a simple TikTok challenge to a full-blown meme fest, Darren Espanto’s version proves that sometimes, going extra is exactly what makes a trend unforgettable.
