Duyan (song)
| "Duyan" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2022 YouTube Music exclusive extended version cover art | ||||
| Single by Sarah Geronimo | ||||
| from the album This 15 Me | ||||
| Released | April 6, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Viva Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Thyro Alfaro | |||
| Sarah Geronimo singles chronology | ||||
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"Duyan" is a song recorded by Filipino singer-actress Sarah Geronimo, released in 2018 as a digital single under Viva Records. It is one of the tracks featured in her studio album This 15 Me[1], which commemorates her 15th year in the music industry. The song was written and produced by the Filipino songwriting duo Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana. Unlike Geronimo’s usual chart-topping pop anthems, “Duyan” is a minimalist ballad that leans into subtle vocal control and emotional storytelling. It topped Philippines iTunes songs chart immediately after release, dethroning another Geronimo song "Ganito."[2][3][4]
Background and composition
"Duyan" was written by the songwriting duo Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, who have frequently collaborated with Sarah Geronimo on projects celebrating her artistry evolution, including earlier hits like “Kilometro” and “Ikot‑Ikot." According to a Rappler feature, the duo describe "Duyan" as capturing the exhilarating heights of being in love, using the imagery of cradling to communicate intimacy and emotional safety.[5]
Musically, the track is structured as a minimalist, lullaby‑inspired ballad, with delicate piano lines, soft ambient strings, and subtle percussion that all serve to spotlight Geronimo’s singing. The restrained arrangement allows her to deliver a controlled and emotive vocal performance that prioritizes warmth and sincerity over vocal showmanship.[6]
Reception
The Pop Blog added the song to its list of "Sarah Geronimo songs people should listen to", describing it as "A soulful anthem that also takes its roots from Apo Hiking Society and other OPM bands from the 70s."[7]
In 2022, after the premiere of a "Duyan" performance video on ASAP Natin ‘To, with the song's bridge sung in a single, sustained breath, the song went viral on TikTok, giving rise to the #OneBreathChallenge. Shortly after the performance aired, TikTok users began posting their own attempts at replicating the feat.[8][9]
Live performances
Geronimo performed “Duyan” during several legs of her This 15 Me concert series in 2018, including her concert at the Araneta Coliseum. In 2020, as part of her This 15 Me album promotion, she performed the song on ASAP Natin 'To. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Geronimo appeared on various online music events to perform the song, including Coca-Cola's "Peel Mo Panalo Promo" draw and Lander's "Love Landers" anniversary event.[10][11] At her 20th Anniversary concert, Geronimo honored her frequent collaborators, songwriters Thyro Alfaro, Yumi Lacsamana and Nica del Rosario by having them on stage to perform an extended version of the song.[12][13]
Music video
In July 2022, Viva Records released an official performance video of “Duyan” by Sarah Geronimo. The video featured a live rendition with choreography by Georcelle Dapat‑Sy and G‑Force, conceptualised by Geronimo, directed by Paolo Valenciano, under the creative direction of Dapat-Sy. Songwriter Thyro Alfaro made a special appearance on the video. It premiered on ASAP Natin 'To, marking Geronimo's television comeback after hiatus and the launch of her own segment "Sarah G. Specials."[14][15][16][17]
The performance video trended at #19 on YouTube’s music charts in the Philippines and received over 200,000 views shortly after release.[18][19]
References
- ^ Sarah Geronimo - This 15 Me, April 13, 2018, retrieved August 16, 2025
- ^ "Sarah Geronimo — Duyan". vivavicor.com. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ ABS-CBN News (April 8, 2018). "Sarah drops 'Duyan', tops iTunes PH chart anew". ABS-CBN.
- ^ Lopez, Batuts (July 26, 2022). "Sarah gaya-gaya kay Michael Jackson". Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ Cupin, Bea (April 7, 2018). "The story behind Sarah Geronimo's 'Duyan': The 'high' of love". RAPPLER. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Viva Records (March 13, 2020). Duyan - Sarah Geronimo [Official Lyric Video]. Retrieved July 25, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Blog, The Pop (August 6, 2020). "10 Sarah Geronimo songs that deserve your attention, other than Tala". Medium. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Barleta, Jasper Carlo (August 20, 2022). "Sarah Geronimo's Duyan #OneBreathChallenge will leave you breathless". Your Guide to the Big City. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Llemit, Kathleen A. "Sarah Geronimo comeback trends after gracing 'ASAP' stage". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ Randolph Bundoc (Official) (August 30, 2020). 'Duyan' | Sarah Geronimo | Sarah and Matteo, Love Landers. Retrieved July 25, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Arnel Rojales (December 5, 2020). Sarah Geronimo sing DUYAN at Coke Studio. Retrieved July 25, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "8 highlights of Sarah Geronimo's 20th anniversary concert". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Abad, Ysa (July 25, 2022). "'I'm finally back home': Sarah Geronimo returns to 'ASAP Natin 'To'". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ Sarah Geronimo (July 25, 2022). DUYAN - Sarah Geronimo [Official Performance Video]. Retrieved July 25, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ Manila Bulletin Entertainment (July 25, 2022). "Sarah G's 'ASAP' comeback trends on social media". Manila Bulletin.
- ^ Gianan, Chlarine (July 28, 2022). "Sarah Geronimo is Back and The Popstar is as Stellar as Ever". mega-asia.com. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ "'I'm finally back home': Sarah G returns to 'ASAP'". Panay News. July 26, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
- ^ dbongcac (July 25, 2022). "Sarah Geronimo sings, dances 'Duyan' in 'ASAP' comeback". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Pagbabalik ni Sarah Geronimo sa ASAP Natin 'To, nag-trending". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 25, 2025.