IKAKO

When the news about a virus that spreads rapidly from human to human hit international attention, it felt like the apocalypse was coming. Many people from all over the world surely felt terrified of what would happen if the virus wouldn't be stopped. There were many speculations and conspiracy theories, then the lockdowns began. Here in the Philippines, it happens almost so suddenly. I remember I just started my new job when the lockdown was announced. In fact, my batch just finished our training. There was so much uncertainty, but luckily I was provided a work-from-home setup. I can't imagine what that time was like for those who literally lost their livelihood.

When SB19 released IKAKO, it became a saving grace to a lot of people. Something to keep them hopeful and sane, despite the dark time we all were going through. It became a light that guided us through a very dark tunnel and helped us reach the end, a time when we finally managed to survive. Covid-19 took many of our friends and loved ones, people we knew all our lives, and those who had been with us through our darkest times. Listening to the news reporting death toll was rising rapidly, it seemed like there would never be an end to it. Confined to the four corners of our homes and not being able to connect to people was suffocating. Luckily, many found SB19.

Pag-gising sa umaga'y tinig mo ang paboritong himig

'Di naman siguro 'to isang panaginip

Pinagdarasal parati

Kaligtasan mo't mapawi

Ang lungkot sa iyong mata

'Di na luluha pang muli

Despite being written in Filipino, the song was actually for everyone all over the world. All of us dreamed of a time when we could finally embrace our family members from different places, visit our friends to hang out with them, and finally see the world again. At the time, we could only hope for a miracle that could save us all. However, the pandemic was not all dark and gloomy because it brought out the goodness of many people. People came together to help those who were in need, and we learned to appreciate our unsung heroes.

Panahon ma'y nagdidilim

Liwanag ay sisikat din

Sabay nating haharapin

Takot sa puso'y alisin

Lahat ng to'y lilipas din

Walang pagsubok na 'di kakayanin

SB19 was right. Even when life feels too tough, things will always get better in the end. As long as we care for each other, we can survive. IKAKO taught us that there truly is strength in unity. No matter what life throws our way, we can face it together and make it to the other side. The positivity this song promotes is undeniable and it ought to be heard by more people. It didn't only apply during the pandemic because its message is timeless. There will be many hurdles and struggles that the world will face, and humanity's only hope for survival is if we face all of it together.

Ibig ko lang ipahiwatig

Na basta may pag-ibig

Sa puso natin magwawagi, yeah

Oh, sigurado babangon tayo

Kaya'ng lahat, ikaw at ako

'Wag kang susuko

Magkasama tayo

Hanggang sa dulo

Ikaw at ako

It's amazing that despite all the hate that SB19 received and is still getting from trolls and bashers, their positivity and kindness never wavered. These five always choose to look at the positive side of life and promote goodness in every way possible. They never deserved all the insults they received from people who are living a sad life so much that they couldn't stop themselves from projecting their frustrations and disappointments towards other people. IKAKO is a song that reminds us that we are never alone. It may seem like it at times, but we aren't. All we have to do is reach out our hands and someone would eventually grab it to help us stand again.

Andami-dami na nating pinagdaanan nun

Bawat marka ay tanda na higit na mas matatag na tayo ngayon

Tindi ng alon kahapon, tsk, wala 'yon

Babangon tayo, padayon, uh

Each of us has been through so much in life, but every wound is a testament to our strength and perseverance. There's a saying that what doesn't kill only makes you stronger, and that is true. With every pain we endured, every heartache, and all the downfalls we suffered, we chose to get back up and fight again, because that's what we have to do. For SB19, they'd also been through so much even before this song was written. It became a reminder to them that they would always survive, and they did. Look at where they are now.

At sinong nagsabing buhay magiging madali

Sisingilin ka niyan araw-araw

Bayaran mo paunti-unti

Sulitin ang bawat sandali

Isipin mong mabuti kung pa'no mo gagamitin ang sukli

Josh's rap in the song is a call to action. Life will never be easy and it's up to you how you would face it. There are many things in life that we can never control. The only thing we can control is how we react to those things. We have the power to control our actions and the things we do in our lives, so we must learn to be wise in our decisions. It is amazing how SB19, especially Pablo, could create a song that seems so simple yet meaningful and impactful. IKAKO not only saved many lives during the pandemic, but it also kept on inspiring many of us until now. 

 

This is the legacy SB19 will leave behind. Timeless music, beautiful memories, and a fandom full of strangers who became a family through their songs and inspiring stories.