There’s little Filipinos love more than a good love song. If you’re a musician there may be no quicker way to the hearts of your Filipino listeners than a kilig-inducing, hugot-filled song about the triumphs or tragedies of the heart – the more feelings, the better.

Filipino artists never seem to run out of ways to sing about love – whether it’s to cry over the pain of an unrequited passion, revel in the sizzle of a new flirtation, or ease into the calm of a steadfast partnership.

So for Valentine’s Day, we asked them: what is your all-time favorite love song, and why? After all, if anyone knows what makes a great love song, it’s a Filipino musician.

From OPM classics to contemporary earworms, from wedding staples from Ed Sheeran to an unlikely David Bowie choice and everything in between – these are the songs that keep the love alive for local artists:

“Kapag Sinabi Ko Sa’yo” by Gary Granada

“Walang pagpapanggap ang pag-ibig na inilalahad niya dito sa kanta. Yung totoo lang.” – Johnoy Danao

(There is no pretending when it comes to the love in this song. Only the truth)

“Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell

“A song that really made me understand love and its gravity. As a musician and artist, sometimes I would write about love and paint about love as to how I have experienced it then later on get lost in between. Only to realize that love is so much more than we can perceive. Yes, we can interpret and conclude it in so many ways but there’s just so many layers in love that we cant really comprehend enough but Joni Mitchell has written all of the spaces in betweens and it’s what made this song my most favorite love song!” – Rice Lucido

“Until I Met You” by The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group

“I have a lot of favorite love songs but to share a unique one which is The Legendary Jim Ruiz Group’s ‘Until I Met You.’ Check it out!” – Diego Mapa of Pedicab

“Summertime” by The Sundays

“I love the lyrics, the melody, arrangement and Harriet Wheeler’s voice. It’s the type of love song that makes you feel sentimental in a good way.” – Glaiza de Castro

“Samson” by Regina Spektor

“It’s the song Mark played on the piano when he proposed to me 2018.” – Patty Tiu-Thompson

“Never Gonna Let You Go” by Faith Evans

“Cause it gives me the nostalgia of the first time I fell deeply in love. It touches me every time I listen to it, makes me feel the same way again,
those times that I was so glad that I’ve found the special someone I never gonna let go.” – Cean Jr.

“You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain

“If there’s a love song that never fails to give me a feeling of warmth & sudden kilig, it’s this song. Also, this is one of the most requested songs whenever I sing at weddings. So my memories with this one is all roses & butterflies!” – Frizzle Anne

“Lady Grinning Soul” by David Bowie

“This is not a song I would particularly sing to anyone I am in love with. But it paints the most familiar picture of what love has been to me personally. Absurd. Passionate. Hypnotic. The kind of love that doesn’t last too long but feels like a dream. And being young, I’m loving it like that. I don’t think it would always be that surreal. What do I know?” – Ell Ocampo

“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

“For me it defines my parents’ love for each other and also I remember one time here in the Philippines the song became an anthem.
So yeah, it really hits me different.” – Eugene Layug

“Your Song” by Elton John

“This is one of the songs that I wish I wrote. It’s so honest and it greatly showed the adoration of the writer to his loved one. I think if you could encapsulate the feeling of being in love into a 4-minute song, this is it.” – Aly Remulla

“Forevermore” by Side A

“I used to play that in weddings where the bride’s entourage would just make the groom cry. There was even one time where I played the guitar for Joey G of Side A and it’s really unforgettable.” – Martin Riggs

“Love” by Cody Simpson

“For me ang pinaka-nagbibigay ng positivity (this song gave the most positivity) and also yung feeling na kahit may someone or wala ka (the feeling that even if you have someone or not) you’ll feel the love with this song.” – Adie

“ILYSB” by Lany

“Back in high school when I was coming home from school, I heard the song on the radio, and it instantly caught me, most especially the stripped version wherein its more [of a] ballad, the vibe of the song makes me feel so loved and in love. I love this song because its the type of song I would definitely sing for my partner all the time without getting tired of it.” – Jade Ivy

“If” by Bread

“The lyrics are just really fatalistic and intense.” – Miguel Odron

“Coffee” by Copeland

“It’s one of the songs that was included in a mixtape that my crush made for me.” – Maysh Baay of Moonstar88

“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

“I love the message of unconditional love and assurance that someone will be there in the lowest point of your life.” – Kiara San Luis of Imago

“Is it ok if i call you mine?” by Paul McCrane

“Kasi na catch niya ung attention ko bata pa ko. Tsaka the way paano niya kinanta relax na relax sarap lang pakinggan.” – Kleggy Abaya of Banda ni Kleggy

(This song caught my attention even when I was a kid. And the way he sang it is very relaxed, it’s great to listen to)

“Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last

“Because it’s sweet and romantic.” – Eunice Jorge of Gracenote

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer

“It’s impossible to choose just one favorite love song, but ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None the Richer has to be one of my favorites — instantly makes me imagine a bright sunny day.” – Nikka Melchor of The Vowels They Orbit

“Nararamdaman” by Better Days

“True ‘love’ feels eh. Mararamdaman at mararamdaman mo yung tunay na pagmamahal without any hesitations or kahit di ka magtanong, nararamdaman ‘yun!” – Daniel Paringit of Better Days

(True love feels. You’ll constantly feel true love without hesitations or asking questions, you’ll just feel it.)

“Somebody” by Depeche Mode

“It’s my favorite song because it’s simple and its all about finding someone that understands you and all your imperfections.” – Kurei

“One Friend” by Dan Seals

“Ito yung kanta ko para sa mom ko and for me wala ng papantay sa pagmamahal ng isang magulang at yung mom ko nadin ang tumayong best friend ko through ups and downs kahit sa mga heartbreaks lagi siyang nandiyan at sa lahat ng desisyon ko sa buhay lagi siyang naka todo suporta…Isa din ito sa mga pwedeng i-celebrate this Valentines’ Day. Date your parents.” – Mack of We Got

(This is my song for my mom, and for me there is no love that compares to the love of a parent. My mom has been my best friend through ups and downs, even through heartbreaks she has always been there, and for every decision I’ve made she’s given all her support. This is another thing to celebrate this Valentine’s Day.)

“Sundo” by Imago and “Passenger Seat” by Stephen Speaks

“‘Sundo’ kasi sinasabi nung song na simula ngayon, never ka na mag-iisa sa lahat ng tatahakin mo sa buhay kasi may partner ka na. ‘Passenger Seat’ kasi parang ang sarap lang nung feeling na ikaw yung nasa passenger seat tapos para sa’yo yung kanta. Nakakakilig ‘yun.” – Jem

(‘Sundo’ because the song says that starting now, you’ll never have to be alone in life because you’ve found your partner. ‘Passenger Seat’ because it seems like it feels good that you’re in the passenger seat and the song is for you. It feels great.)

“Himig ng Pag-ibig” by Asin

“Favorite ko sya kasi ang sarap sarap nya pakinggan kahit old song na lalo na ngayong Valentine’s day.” – Kristina Academia

(It’s my favorite because it’s really good to listen to, even if it’s old, especially on Valentine’s Day)

“Kahit Kailan” by South Border

“Sobrang nakakakilig lang ng song (di mo na kailangan ng admirer para kiligin. Pakinggan mo nalang ‘tong song na ‘to HAHAHAHA)” – Ica

(The song just makes you feel good, and you don’t need an admirer to feel good. Just listen to the song.)

“Find Someone Like You” by Snoh Aalegra

“Love is never perfect and there’s no set schedule for it, but you’re just thankful when everything finally falls into place. A perfect song to jam to as well.” – Bey

Listen to the songs as an ultimate Valentine’s Day playlist here:

– Rappler.com