Kapangyarihan (song)

"Kapangyarihan"
Single by Ben&Ben
from the album Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno
LanguageFilipino
English titlePower
ReleasedAugust 29, 2021 (2021-08-29)
Genre
[1]
Length4:29
LabelSony Philippines
Songwriter(s)
  • Miguel Benjamin Guico
  • Paolo Benjamin Guico
  • Pablo
Producer(s)
  • Ben&Ben
  • Jean-Paul Verona
Ben&Ben singles chronology
"Sabel
(feat. KZ Tandingan)"
(2021) 		"Kapangyarihan"
(2021) 		"Sugat
(feat. Munimuni)"
(2021)
Music video
"Kapangyarihan" on YouTube

"Kapangyarihan" (lit. 'Power') is a song by Filipino folk-pop band Ben&Ben, featuring P-pop boy band SB19. It was released as a digital single from their second album Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno on August 29, 2021, through Sony Music Philippines. Written by band members and twins Miguel and Paolo Benjamin Guico and SB19 leader Pablo, it is a folk rock and hip-hop track that calls for accountability and condemns the misuse and dissemination of deceit by those in power. The track is also subjected to 2020 Tarlac shooting. Additionally, the track was featured as an opening theme song for the 2024 Philippine war drama Pulang Araw.

Background and release

On December 2020, a few days before Christmas, police officer Jonel Nuezca shot and killed Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank in Tarlac. Band members and twins Miguel and Paolo Benjamin Guico issued a statement in solidarity with the family. The band wrote a song and released on August 29, 2021 featuring P-pop boy band SB19, a few days after Nuezca was found guilty and sentenced.[2]

In April 2021, a few months after topping Spotify's list of most streamed artists in the Philippines, Ben&Ben announced that they would take a break from live performances and start recording their second album.[3][4][5] Ben&Ben announced on social media that they will be releasing their second album on August 29.[6][7][8] The album was then announced as being titled Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno.[9][10]

On August 23, it was revealed that SB19 were the final collaborators of the album. It is the second time Ben&Ben collaborated with SB19 after "Mapa (Band Version)," a rendition from SB19's digital single.[11]

Composition

In December 22, 2020, the song was written and released in response to the case of impunity in the Philippines, involving the killing of Sonya Gregorio and her son Frank by police officer Jonel Nuezca. The band apologized for being off the radar recently following the tragic shooting of the Sonya and Frank Gregorio. They emphasized that they should have responded to the issue with greater urgency and amplify the truth, as they failed to do so.[12][13]

A new version, featuring P-pop boy band SB19 was released on August 29, 2021. SB19 leader Pablo also wrote the additional lines for the new version. The track also emphasizes the need for openness, transparency, and urgency in tackling violence without compromising words, moving away from their usual heart-strumming songs.[1]

Music video

The music video was released on May 5, 2022 ahead of the 2022 Philippine elections. It features archival footage from Philippines political history projected onto an empty stage. Ben&Ben and SB19 perform alongside farmers, students, teachers, medical workers, and Indigenous people. The lighting onstage starts pink, the color of presidential candidate Leni Robredo's campaign, which Ben&Ben publicly supports. The performance ends with all on stage pointing their index fingers painted in the flag colors.[14]

Directed by Dexter Santos, the collaboration aims to address power abuse and public service issues through the release of the "Kapangyarihan" performance video. The visual conveys the song's message through a theatrical performance, reflecting life's realities.[15] According to the director, the theatre's intrinsic quality was utilized in presenting the music video, incorporating narrative, choreography, set, and costume design to deliver a sincere and emphatic performance.[15] Ben&Ben stated that the audience is reminded that the performance is a call to action, emphasizing the need to address larger and stronger issues after watching.[15]

Usage in media

On July 9, 2024, GMA Network released a promotional video for their upcoming Philippine war drama, Pulang Araw. The song was chosen as part of the opening theme song for the tv series, starring Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, Alden Richards, and Dennis Trillo.[16] On August 4, 2024, GMA Network also released the music video for Pulang Araw on YouTube.[16]

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b Lagarde, Shai (August 30, 2021). "Ben&Ben x SB19's 'Kapangyarihan' sends strong message to those in power: 'Nagsisilbi ka dapat'". GMA Network. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  2. ^ Lim, Andrea (September 2, 2021). "Ben&Ben x SB19's 'Kapangyarihan' establishes the truth: power is within the hands of masses". Manila Today. Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  3. ^ "Ben&Ben tops Spotify list of most streamed artists in PH". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  4. ^ "Ben&Ben tops PH list of most streamed artists on Spotify in 2020". ABS-CBN News. December 1, 2020. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  5. ^ "Ben&Ben to live-stream virtual concert in May". NME. April 26, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Ben&Ben to release 2nd album in August". Rappler. August 8, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  7. ^ "Ben&Ben's sophomore album is coming this August, here's what you need to know". Bandwagon Asia. August 6, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  8. ^ "Ben&Ben announce release date for sophomore album, reveal forthcoming single with Munimuni". NME. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  9. ^ "Ben&Ben reveals title of upcoming second album". GMA News via MSN. August 19, 2021. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  10. ^ "Ben&Ben Reveals 2nd Album Title & Art". One Music PH. August 19, 2021. Archived from the original on August 20, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  11. ^ "Ben&Ben reveals another SB19 collaboration for their upcoming album, 'Pebble House Vol. 1 Kwaderno'". GMA News. August 23, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  12. ^ "WATCH: Ben&Ben pens 'Kapangyarihan,' joins call to end impunity". Rappler. December 23, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (December 24, 2020). "Ben&Ben pens powerful song about police brutality". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  14. ^ Ng, Scott (May 6, 2022). "Ben&Ben and SB19 release powerful performance video of 'Kapangyarihan' ahead of the Philippines election". NME. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c Severo, Jan Milo (May 6, 2022). "Ben&Ben, SB19 release 'Kapangyarihan' in time for national elections". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  16. ^ a b Go, Mayks (July 11, 2024). "Ben&Ben And SB19's "Kapangyarihan" To Be Featured In 'Pulang Araw'". Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
  17. ^ "Kapangyarihan feat. SB19 - Song by Ben&Ben". Apple Music. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
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