An Enduring Song Titled "Kapalaran" (Fate) by Rico J. Puno

Why do Filipinos love Kapalaran (Tagalog: Fate), the song popularized by the late Rico J. Puno?

CD Cover

Photo Credit: Discogs

In the lyrics written by Chito Ilacad and Ernie Dela Pena, the polar opposites stand out. These attributes of life encapsulate the dualities of human existence: being rich/oppressed, joy/sorrow, failure/success. The song reflects the everyday experiences across society—a social mirror, so to speak—which is why it still resonates with the masses even after nearly half a century.

It is also interesting that the singer's name fits the message. In Spanish, "Rico" means "rich" or "wealthy." Yet the song points not only to material abundance but also to the richness of human experience that shapes each person’s identity.

Through the juxtaposition of opposites—being rich/oppressed, joy/sorrow, failure/success—the song suggests that one must encounter each element to grasp the fullness of emotion. That is what enriches life.

(And here we are again, rambling on. Is this brought about by time or by world-weariness? Maybe we should not think too much of the things we cannot control. Perhaps it is better to just sleep things off.)

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Let us go back to the song's enduring popularity. In countless instances, the song has been used in other categories of popular culture. I will focus for now on a movie and a TV series.

Kapalaran is performed by Fernando Poe Jr. and Niño Muhlach in the 1977 action Tutubing Kalabaw, Tutubing Karayom (Tagalog: Big Dragonfly, Small Dragonfly). The said actors play the role of Pinggoy and Berting: two unlikely strangers from the province who navigate Manila together to seek fortune.

Kapalaran was also covered by Gary Valenciano in the recently concluded TV series FPJ's Batang Quiapo (Tagalog: FPJ's Quiapo Kid), which is based on another movie starring Fernando Poe Jr.

It is also interesting to note that Fernando Poe Jr. was a fan of Rico J. Puno. According to a 2018 Philippine Daily Inquirer article, the actor watched the singer's performances in various bars and clubs, particularly at Spindle in Quezon City.

LYRICS

Bakit ba ganyan
Ang buhay ng tao
Mayro'ng mayaman
May api sa mundo
Kapalaran kung hanapin
'Di matagpuan
At kung minsa'y lumalapit
Nang 'di mo alam
O bakit kaya
May ligaya't lumbay
Sa pag-ibig may bigo't tagumpay
'Di malaman 'di maisip
Kung anong kapalaran
Sa akin ay naghihintay
Bakit kaya
May ligaya't lumbay
Sa pag-ibig may bigo't tagumpay
'Di malaman 'di maisip
Kung anong kapalaran
Sa akin ay naghihintay

TRANSLATION

Why is life like this?
There are rich people
There are oppressed people in the world
Fate is sought after
It cannot be found.
And sometimes it comes
When you are unaware
Or why is it
There is joy and sorrow
In love there is failure and success.
It is unknown, unimaginable.
What fate awaits me?
Why is it there is joy and sorrow.
In love there is failure and success
It is unknown, unimaginable
What fate awaits me?

Lyric Video: Vicor Music / YouTube