LIHAM

Love they say is the most beautiful thing in this world. It can make you turn into someone you're not, help you realize many things, and make you strong and selfless, but what is love?  Each people you ask would give you different answers depending on how they understand love, but SB19's Liham, written by the one and only Pinuno encapsulated the real essence of it. With his wisdom and deep understanding about life, he managed to create what I call the ultimate "harana". Who wouldn't fall in love upon hearing their ballad, LIHAM?

Ang aking mundo ay payapa

Sa 'di malamang dahilan

At noon ay buo kong inakala

Lahat ay ayos na naman

Nang bigla na lang ay dumating ang 'di hinantay

Nagbabalat kayong himala, oh-oh-oh

Mga pasan ay gumaan, ikaw ang tanging dahilan

Sa'yo lang napuno ng kasiguraduhan

Have you ever felt so at peace whenever a specific person is near? That feeling like everything will be okay because they're there? Did you ever feel like you're the strongest person in the world because of a certain person? Like you can do anything as long as they're around? Whenever that person is with you, all your doubts just disappear? It is such a wonderful thing, isn't it? That feeling like nothing is impossible and you have been redeemed from all your sins of the past because of them? That is the most beautiful feeling in this world, and it only comes once or twice in our lifetime.

Ito ang aking liham sa pag-ibig ko

'Di hahayaan na mag-isa ka sa kahit na ano

Ikaw lang ang himpilan ng aking puso

Sa piling mo'y panatag ang buong pagkatao

Ligaya ng aking mundo

When you find that kind of love, your heart will finally find its solace. A haven where you can feel safe and away from all the worries and pain that this world brings. Finding that kind of love makes you want to hold on to it forever, and it gives you a sense of security. The world can burn tomorrow, and you will embrace the end with a smile in your face and contentment in your heart. 

Oh, kay rami ng mga bagay na hindi natin maintindihan

Sa kabila ng lahat ay pilit nating binabalikan (Oh-woah)

Mga panaginip na inaasam

Ako'y binuo ng mabuti't masamang karanasan

Puno man ng mantsa'y tinuring karangyaan

At gano'n-gano'n na lang

Pagmamahal mo ay walang (Oh)

Anumang pag-aabang kaya habang

They say true love is when you're willing to give without asking anything return, but that's not completely true. People may not ask for something, but they are definitely waiting for you to pay them back. The truth is, true love is when you're willing to give without waiting for anything in return. It's when you know how dark the other person's past is and you're still willing to accept them with open arms. It's the fact that they could be the worse person in the universe, yet you still love them anyway. You will be there, waiting for them to finally see the light as you guide them through the darkness, and you will be there to heal them when it's all said and done.

Pa'no kaya kung hindi tayo nagkita?

Ang buhay ko'y matatawag pa nga bang buhay?

Sa layo ng bituin, ang tingnan ito'y

Pagtingin sa nakaraang 'di gunitang tunay

Oh, paumanhin, wala ka man sa alaala ko'y

Habang buhay kitang mamahalin

You know it's true love when you ask yourself what if your paths never crossed, what would your life be and you'd know that you wouldn't trade your life with them for anything. True love is knowing that they have a past and you simply don't care. What's important is who they are now, with you. I still wonder how PABLO managed to write such a beautiful love song at such a young age. Yes, there's so much he is yet to learn, but it's amazing that he already know the things he know now.

This song is also one of the many proof that Josh, Ken, Stell, Justin, and Pablo were meant to be in one group. The way their voices blend with each other is on another level. Yes, harmony is an acquired skill, yet the chemistry is hard to accomplish. Many groups didn't last because they lack the chemistry despite their talents. As they all hone their crafts, I can only imagine the many beautiful songs this group will release in the future.