Nelson Morales

ABS-CBN anthem 'Kapamilya Forever' finds new voice in everyday Filipinos

Article (news)

Ganiel Krishnan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- ABS-CBN breathes new life into its iconic theme song “Kapamilya Forever,” this time not with celebrities, but with real, everyday Filipinos whose raw talent and inspiring stories take center stage.ABS-CBN has reimagined the beloved anthem into a spin-off project, showcasing singers from all walks of life -- from a waitress to a teacher, a peanut vendor, and even young buskers from Bohol. Each one carries a powerful narrative of resilience and passion, capturing the spirit of being kapamilya in the truest sense.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4O52W4ANCFw" title="Kapamilya Forever 2025 MV" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Heart Sanchez, a waitress at Singing Cooks and Waiters, still can’t believe she’s part of the project.“Nung una ma’am, hindi pa ako naniniwala. Parang hindi pa siya nagsi-sink in sa akin… Pero nung nandito na ako, nasundo na ako ng van, parang, thank you, Lord…. Hanggang ngayon hindi po ako makapaniwala. DSiyempre alam naman po natin, pangarap din &#x27;to ng iba. Tapos sobrang grateful po ako na naging parte po ako,” Sanchez said.Her journey started when her father encouraged her to audition at the restaurant. A customer unknowingly changed her life after posting a video of her singing while serving which eventually went viral.“Parang normal sa amin &#x27;yung habang nagsi-serve, kumakanta. Tapos nagulat ako biglang nag-viral… sobrang nakaka-touch,” she said, reflecting on how deeply the song resonates with her.AJ Hernandez, a part-time university lecturer and college secretary from San Pablo, Laguna, also became a viral sensation after a student secretly recorded him singing during choir practice.“In-upload po &#x27;yung video na hindi ko alam, vini-videohan ako sa likod ng isa sa estudyante ko dati, sa choir kasi advisor po ako. Tapos in-upload niya po &#x27;yun I think mga November or October. Tapos nag-viral siya unti-unti hanggang sa yun, nag-viral na siya ng mga January. Pumatok na siya ng 1.2 million,” he said.Though his days are filled with teaching and administration, Hernandez has always dreamt of performing. “If I get a break, I hope to perform on national TV. I’ll grab it. I won’t waste it,” he said.He found deep connection with his fellow singers during the shoot, emotionally saying: “Kahit po magkakalayo kami, itatatak ko po sa puso’t isip na hindi ko po sila makakalimutan. Kasi naging pamilya ko sila.”Jaylorie “Tuko” Delos Reyes, a peanut vendor from Boracay, has made waves online for serenading guests after his gigs, peanuts in hand.“Everyday is productive. So, &#x27;yun &#x27;yung aking goal. Kasi, I have a three younger sisters and then sinu-support ko kasi may sakit &#x27;yung kapatid ko. So, through that way, nag-viral and then, hindi ko alam na may nag-video sa akin. So, ginagawa ko na siya noon pa. So, &#x27;yun. Happy,” he said, explaining how he supports his family through music and hustle.Delos Reyes calls his peanuts “panabla” -- his way of balancing life and survival. “Sa ABS-CBN project na ito, nabibigyan kami ng pagkakataon na marinig ang aming boses sa buong mundo,” he added.The music also features young brothers Rodelito Tanio Jr. and 10-year-old Jundel Tanio, student street performers from Bohol; Shenna Minque, a nurse from Palawan who finds healing not just in hospitals but through music; Emerson Ignacio from Quezon City, a ride-sharing driver whose voice gained attention from passengers online; Jaynard Alteza, a hardworking delivery rider from Quezon province who sings between drop-offs; Brice Marmeto, a student whose talent is as strong as her academic drive; Cristine Tandogon from Valenzuela, an office worker who juggles corporate life with her passion for music; Michael Gonzales, a &quot;fish jambolero&quot; (fish vendor) from General Santos, whose vibrant personality and voice shine in wet markets and now, on national platforms; and Jimmy Amion, a proud Bacolodnon singer and fisherman who shares his craft with heart and soul, but was unable to record the song due to an emergency.First written five years ago at the height of ABS-CBN’s franchise hearings, “Kapamilya Forever” was originally a song of loyalty and longing. But for songwriters Robert Labayen, Lloyd “Tiny” Corpuz and Thyro Alfaro, this new rendition celebrates resilience.“Noon, may lungkot &#x27;yung kanta… Ngayon ginawa natin mas joyful. Kasi makalipas ang limang taon, andito pa rin tayo at lumalakas,” said Labayen, head of ABS-CBN Creative Communication Management. “Yung boses nila, rawness na galing sa puso talaga. Lahat kami naiyak.”Producer Jonathan Manalo, AVP and creative director of ABS-CBN Music, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the emotional transition: “Yung dati kasi, masisenti ka, pwede kang umiyak… Itong version ngayon, maha-happy ka. Ma-inspire ka. May emo ka pa rin pero in a lighter, happy way.”According to Manalo and Labayen, the concept was born from ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak’s desire to shine a spotlight on ordinary Filipinos with extraordinary voices.“Nung sinimulan itong project na ito, gusto talaga niyang ipakita ang galing ng karaniwang Pilipino kumanta,” said Labayen.The team led by Love de Leon, Raywin Tome, Des Parawan, LA Sibug, and Rev Martin scoured social media to find viral singers with genuine talent and compelling stories.“Maganda ang mga kwento nila sa buhay. Saka kinakausap namin sila. Bukod sa nalaman namin mula sa social media, nalaman pa namin sa pagkakausap sa kanila. Maraming pa kaming discovery tungkol sa kwento nila sa buhay,” Labayen added.This 2025 version of “Kapamilya Forever” is more than a reimagined song -- it’s a celebration of every Filipino heart that sings with hope, passion, and love for family, no matter the stage they stand on.

ABS-CBN revives its anthem 'Kapamilya Forever' with a moving new version sung not by celebrities, but by everyday Filipinos whose talent and life stories embody resilience, hope, and the true Kapamilya spirit.

ABS-CBN revives its anthem 'Kapamilya Forever' with a moving new version sung not by celebrities, but by everyday Filipinos whose talent and life stories embody resilience, hope, and the true Kapamilya spirit.