5 Songs to Play for Awesome Dads Everywhere

Jun 16, 2019

For ingraining in us meaningful lessons about life and love, inspiring us with their stories, dedicating their lives to keeping us safe, and for always making us feel loved and protected — we are deeply thankful for our dads. They are our families’ very own devoted heroes.  

Today, as a means of recognizing the great gift that is fatherhood, we’ve curated some of the finest Wish Bus performances from esteemed OPM acts that showcase just how awesome fathers are.

1. Kaleidoscope World, Elmo Magalona

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin’ round, make it twirl

In this kaleidoscope world

Same groove, same aura. During his Roadshow stint on October 18, 2016, Elmo Magalona, son of the late Francis Magalona, paid tribute to and channeled his beloved father’s awesome musicality aboard the Wish Bus.

His Wishclusive cover of “Kaleidoscope World,” a track from the Philippine rap icon’s studio album “Freeman,” is so wistful and compelling that it can transport someone back to the ‘90s, a time when the “Master Rapper” himself ruled the airwaves.

In May 2013, as part of the “Forever More” campaign, Elmo partnered with a local brand to reproduce the official music video of the timeless track. The post-processed version “Kaleidoscope World Forever More” features the collaborative father-and-son reunion made possible through technology.

The Wishclusive video of “Kaleidoscope World,” which has already accumulated over two million YouTube views as of writing time, shares a positive message: Have tolerance. Be accepting. We all have our place under the sun. Everyone is unique and special, like distinct hues that make the world a better, more colorful place.

2. When The Nights Are Longer, Ian and Dids Veneracion

Cause I think of you
When all my stars align
I think of you when I left, baby, every time
Someday may never come and we’ll be just fine
I’ll never forget how I felt that one night

The father-and-daughter tandem of Ian and Dids Veneracion brings this tender-sounding track which bears the handsome vocals of the multihyphenate and the breathy, bluesy singing style of his singer-athlete child.

Displaying the pair’s brilliant guitar riffs and Dids’ songwriting skills, the Wishclusive collaboration was exclusively performed aboard the Wish Bus in 2018 as an early Father’s Day treat.

3. Litrato, Callalily

Kung maibabalik ko lang ang panahon
Yayakapin kita ng mahigpit
Sasabihin kung gaano kita kamahal
Kung gaano kahalaga
Nguni’t huli na ang lahat
Wala ka na

Deconstructing the deep grief and yearning associated with losing a loved one, Callalily offers us “Litrato,” one of their most personal tracks to date.

The stimulating pop-rock piece is rife with sentimental lyrics and is dedicated to Kian’s father who passed away. The Tagalog track reminds us to value those we love every day and to always honor and treasure the beautiful memories of our loved ones who have passed away.

4. I Will Be Here/ Warrior Is A Child, Gary Valenciano

And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin’
Through the winnin’ and losin’ and tryin’
We’ll be together
‘Cause I will be here

They don’t know that I come running home when I fall down
They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Equally haunting and uplifting, “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano’s entrancing performance of a heart-wrenching medley of his popular hits, “I Will Be Here” and “Warrior is a Child,” bares the relatable complexities of emotions that reside at the heart.

Serving as an exchange of sentiments, the two melodies elicit a strong force of fatherly consolation mixed with an inspiring message every child ought to remember — a father’s love is great, and it can overcome than the greatest fears of his child.

Just like other musically-inclined families, the music veteran’s daughter is also carving a name in the industry.  On January 12, 2017, Kiana Valenciano’s Wishclusive performance of “Circles,” a digital track she wrote with her father, hit Wish 107.5’s YouTube channel.

WATCH: Kiana Valenciano sings “Circles” LIVE on Wish 107.5 Bus

5. Your Universe, Clara Benin and Dane Hipolito

You hold me like I’m the one who’s precious
I hate to break it to you but it’s just
The other way around
You can thank your stars all you want but
I’ll always be the lucky one

Indie artists Clara Benin and Dane Hipolito’s endearing collaboration of the Rico Blanco original “Your Universe” leaves a happy little earworm to anyone who listens to this charming rendition.

Aside from its romantic theme, the titular track off Blanco’s debut album can also share the message of how paternal love can be as vast as the universe.

Currently, the song is making rounds on the web as the official soundtrack of a fast food giant’s touching Father’s Day campaign.

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