Known for anthemic sounds that hit home, Ben&Ben is one of today’s biggest bands. Over the past decade, the folk-pop collective has gifted us with songs that take us through the highs and lows of love, friendship, and life.
The nine-piece act is set to celebrate their music through “Saranggola: The Concert,” taking place on October 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. Ahead of the show, Ben&Ben will move hearts with a special stint on Wish 107.5’s Stopover Sessions, happening on May 10 at Eton Centris.
When asked which songs they want to hear Ben&Ben perform, fans didn’t hesitate to build their dream setlists. Here are our Wishers’ and Liwanag’s top picks!
Saranggola
Ben&Ben is a collective of creatives. But apart from the music they create together, it’s their friendship that also endears them to their listeners. In “Saranggola,” the band members — Miguel, Paolo, Poch, Agnes, Pat, Jam, Toni, Keifer, and Andrew — got candid and, for the first time, crafted a Filipino song for and about each other.
With Jam, the band’s drummer, leaving Ben&Ben this year, lines like “Saranggola’y lilipad sa kahel na kalangitan, paalam na nga ba sa ating nakaraan?” have never sounded truer — and more bittersweet.
Lifetime (Reimagined)
The year was 2020. In the middle of the pandemic, Ben&Ben released a song called “Lifetime,” inspired by a fan’s comment on the “Pagtingin” music video. Six years later, the song has found a second life — and sparked renewed chart-catapulting interest.
Reworked with additional verses, an instrumental break, and a bridge, “Lifetime (Reimagined)” captures a nearly decade-old band still in their element.
“For this version of Lifetime, we felt that we could be there for someone in their pain, longing, and yearning through these new lyrics and melodies,” the band said in a press statement. “There’s a deep sense of gratefulness in our hearts for how people have received the song so far. We’re very humbled, and we promise to keep working hard in writing and performing music that connects deeply with Liwanag, our listeners.”
Langyang Pag-ibig
Kung balak mo akong iwan, ba’t mo pa ’ko minahal?
Raw, angsty, and a brave deviation from their tender tunes and poetic song titles, “Langyang Pag-ibig” paints love in a devastating light. The track, released in 2022, shows one’s emotional state after a breakup.
Here, the band knows exactly how not to sugarcoat the ruins of romance. The presence of classic rock and percussive elements further buoys this sonic treat for OPM fans craving a heartbreak anthem that speaks honestly to their core.
Maybe The Night
If “Langyang Pag-ibig” is how it sounds to be betrayed by love, “Maybe The Night” is what it feels like to be saved by it. The song says, “Maybe the night holds a little hope for us, dear.” But as any Ben&Ben fan could attest, the hope imbued in this song — and the hope that it offers — is anything but little.
With its signature violin riffs and a chorus as comforting as a lover’s embrace, this song is best experienced live.
Leaves
Sometimes, you just know that a song is a classic in the making at first listen. And in Ben&Ben’s hit-laden catalog, “Leaves” sits right at the apex of such songs.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that this track remains one of their most-requested. It’s lyrical, lilting, and downright relatable — with “And all will be alright in time” serving as a timeless reminder of how life should be lived.
Before Ben&Ben takes over the Stopover Sessions stage, here’s a playlist of past Stopover jams you can watch.
This blog post has completely changed my perspective on music. It's a must-read for any music lover.
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