Composer reveals touching story behind ‘Granny’ theme song
When you are about to permanently lose someone you love, there is always a moment you try to bargain with God and ask even for just one more day to be with that person.
Those who’ve watched the Sarah Geronimo-starrer “Miss Granny” probably have the theme song “Isa Pang Araw” on their lips even now. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, songwriter Miguel Mendoza revealed “Isa Pang Araw” was inspired by his dad succumbing to the big "C" in January 2017. He recalled that his family practically lived inside the hospital for six months just to be by his side. They remain grateful that God allowed them to celebrate Christmas and New Year together as a family even if it was for one last time.
Though they never got the chance to talk about his song “Isa Pang Araw,” Miguel knows his father is in heaven proudly looking down on him.
“When you are about to permanently lose someone you love, there is always a moment you try to bargain with God and ask even for just one more day to be with that person,” he said.
Some lines in “Isa Pang Araw” goes: “Dumadaan ang araw/’Di mo namalayan naubusan ka ng oras/ Pwede bang humiling/Isa pang araw na ikaw lang ang kasama/Kulang na kulang ang panahon/’Di sapat ang meron tayo ngayon/Pwede bang humiling isa pang araw…”
The sad reality taught Miguel a lot of things. For one, the young composer learned to appreciate the time he spends with loved ones.
“I became more showy of my feelings to people I love, more demonstrative. I realize that time is very important. Once someone very close to your heart leaves or passes away, you will be changed.”
‘Miss Granny’
It turns out “Isa Pang Araw” is not the first composition he wrote for “Miss Granny.”
“They (Viva) called me and said they need a theme song. I submitted ‘Ikaw Ay Babalik,’ but unfortunately they didn’t accept it. Thankfully, they gave me another chance so I dug deeper and wrote ‘Isa Pang Araw,’” he recalled, adding he even watched the Vietnamese and Korean versions of “Miss Granny” and tried translating its theme songs into English.
Miguel is aware Sarah personally chose his song for the movie. Asked how it feels knowing his song is performed by no less than the Popstar Princess herself, the composer smiled.
“I can’t believe I wrote something that has touched so many people. I just can’t find the words to express how I feel,” he enthused. “Seeing ‘Isa Pang Araw” performed on the big screen was so mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but tear up in the part where Sarah sings my song accompanied by flashbacks of moments she had with her family. I was also having my own flashbacks of good memories with my dad. I just really miss him.”
He hopes to meet Sarah in the future and thank her for rendering a superb rendition of the song.
Produced by Viva Films and directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal, “Miss Granny” is still in cinemas nationwide. Also in the cast are Nova Villa, James Reid, Xian Lim, and Boboy Garovillo, among others.
Backgrounder
A product of Kapamilya talent reality search “Pinoy Dream Academy,” Miguel trained in Ryan Cayabyab’s School of Music while he was finishing his studies at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde.
“First song I wrote was a collaboration with Mr. Ryan Cayabyab in 2006 during ‘Philippine Idol.’ I was part of the top 4 and he told me that if I don’t make it to the next round, he would sit down with me and write a song. That song is entitled ‘Here I Am’ which I first performed at the Araneta Coliseum,” he shared.
He produced his album “Somebody” back in 2010. He had three compositions on it, one of which is “Ligaw Na Damdamin,” a duet with his good friend Apple Chiu.
Miguel’s songwriting career started to blossom August last year when he read a Facebook post from the Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. At the time, she was coming out with an anniversary album and was bent on releasing 10 original songs.
“I asked Patty Mayoralgo, the one who shared the post, if she could help send my demos to Regine. So I sent the songs through email and then I got a call and said that she will be using it for her album,” he recalled. “I almost didn’t believe it until she posted on her Instagram the song ‘Hugot’ which became the second single of her album.”
Since the song was published under Viva, Miguel got a call and asked if he wanted to pitch a song for a teleserye under Viva Channel.
“I composed a song and I got surprised that it was chosen to be the theme song of the teleserye, ‘One Song’ which is also the title of the song I composed. After ‘Hugot’ and ‘One Song,’ I felt like, maybe I have a place in this industry,” he smiled.
Miguel revealed new compositions will be coming out soon in the anniversary album of Jed Madela. As for his dream collaborations, he would like to write song for or with Gary Valenciano, Morrissette Amon and Darren Espanto.