As the internet always finds a way to bring archives to life, Lyca Gairanod has been circulating as “The Voice” of September — for her 2015 song "Puede Nang Mangarap."
Jumping on board, everyone — from superstar Vice Ganda to supergroup BINI — has referenced the trend in shows and used the audio for online posts.
So, who wrote the so-called sound of the month? Meet Jungee Marcelo, a well-known music figure who has composed hit songs for major stars including Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Daniel Padilla, Darren Espanto, KZ Tandingan, Morissette, Kyla, Ice Seguerra, Carol Banawa, and Regine Velasquez.
Marcelo spoke with ABS-CBN News in an exclusive interview about Gairanod's viral song, explaining the lyrics and their meanings.
“Lyca Gairanod had just won the 2015 ('The Voice') Kids Edition, and Francis Guevarra (the then-A&R executive) asked me to write a song specifically for her. I researched Lyca’s story and learned about the incredibly difficult circumstances she had come from. I prayed for the opening lines of the song, which eventually became the verse,” Marcelo told ABS-CBN News.
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Lyca Gairanod and Jungee Marcelo. Facebook
“P’ano nga ba ang mangarap kung mahirap… at walang-wala na? P’ano nga ba mahahanap ang paglingap… kung dalang-dala na? P’ano nga ba makausad at lumakad at lumipad... kung napagod na sa pag-asa?”
Marcelo explained, “From those difficult beginnings to emerging victorious through her passion for singing, I saw a story of God’s provision—through the organizations and people around her, including ABS-CBN, Talpa Media, MCA Universal UMG, and those who celebrated her tenacity in life and in her craft, as well as her coach Sarah Geronimo.”
Marcelo continued, “I figured the pre-chorus should capture that sudden turning point.”
“Nang biglang nagbago ang takbo ng kapalaran. Para bang binalot ang mundo ng kagandahan. May awit na humaharana sa damdamin kong hibang. Hindi ko man maunawaan, sige lang...”
He came up with the now-famous line "Puede Nang Mangarap."
“Meron din naman pa lang ganda ang buhay… puede nang mangarap. Meron din naman pa lang handang dumamay… puede nang mangarap. Meron din naman pa lang kantang mahusay, tunay at makulay. Dahil sa inyong lahat… puede nang mangarap.”
Prior to the track's viral success, the songwriter revealed to ABS-CBN News that he and his wife had been praying for the reemergence of his earlier compositions.
“My wife and I have always included a prayer request in our devotion time together: that some of the songs I've released in the past be given a second chance to become hits, and, in today's music-charting landscape, possibly go viral,” he said.
“Lo and behold, I received a text message from a fellow songwriter, Thyro Alfaro, telling me that my composition, ‘Puede Nang Mangarap,’ was currently trending. Upon checking my TikTok, Instagram, Threads, X, and Facebook accounts, I realized that it had indeed gone viral. Praise God for this humongous blessing,” he continued.
In response to the song's newfound popularity, he added, “It felt like an answered prayer.”
Reflecting on his own composition's message, he shared with ABS-CBN News, “I personally have been through some of the most impossible situations in life. Yet what kept me going was the thought that I have a God who makes all things possible in His perfect time, as promised in God’s Word.”
“I can only trust Him despite the bleakness of certain seasons, knowing that my hope and aspiration for a breakthrough may be just around the corner. I believe that we can indeed puedeng-puede mangarap, because the God of all our pangarap is for us. He has already planned good and great things for us, regardless of our doubts and fears. He’s got our backs,” he added.
At the end of the conversation, Marcelo, who has encountered some of the most challenging circumstances in life, expressed that the song will hopefully serve as a reminder that dreaming has no limits.
“This message has always been relevant to anyone who faces life’s challenges. And I can only hope that this song will serve as an encouragement and a constant reminder that puwede tayong mangarap by God’s grace,” he ended.