In 1995 a self-produced demo garnered interest from various record labels and the group changed its name to Prettier Than Pink. VIVA Records eventually signed them up. After five months, an eponymous debut album went Gold in the Philippines and the single "Cool Ka Lang," written and composed by the band's lead singer and founding member Lei Bautista, reached no. 1 on the OPM charts.
By 1997, Prettier Than Pink had undergone a line-up transformation, with Bautista remaining as the group's leader. Their second album, UnPink, took a less commercial turn; but the release received regional airplay with "Baby" and a remake of the OPM classic "BF Kong Baduy." In 1998, Lei Bautista was nominated for an Awit award for "Baby."
Bautista left for the U.S. shortly thereafter, reviving Prettier Than Pink in America as a New Wave-styled group with guitarist Pamela Aquino, bassist Melody del Mundo, and drummer Ann Connolly. In 2005, Prettier Than Pink started recording their U.S. debut for the Sutton Records label.
Diyan Ka Na
Prettier than Pink Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nagpupumilit at puro tiis
Binabale-wala mo pa
Mga pangako mo'y biglang naglaho
Chorus:
Diyan ka na, diyan ka na
Diyan ka na sinta
Paalam na, paalam na
Diyan ka na, diyan ka na
Diyan ka na sinta
Ako'y nagising na
Mga mata'y namulat na
Kung wala ka pa
Ayoko na
Sa hating-gabing madilim
Ang puso'y lumuluha pagka't wala ka pa
Uso pa kaya ang tulad ko
Kung marami pa'y bawasan ng isa
Repeat Chorus
Bridge:
'Di naman ako naghahanap
Simple lamang ang aking mga pangarap
Repeat Chorus
Fadeout
In Prettier than Pink's song Diyan Ka Na, the singer begins by expressing how they used to be passive and willing to suffer, all while constantly pursuing the person they loved. However, they eventually realize that their efforts were in vain, and that the promises made by their lover were nothing more than empty words. The chorus then repeats the phrase "Diyan ka na" (Are you there?), with the singer bidding farewell to their lover and acknowledging that they have woken up to the fact that without them, they cannot continue with the relationship. The second verse communicates the despair the singer feels, their heart sobbing when they find themselves alone at night. The song ends with the bridge, where the singer declares a simple desire for life, and the chorus repeats.
Overall, the song portrays the agony of unrequited love, the struggle to move on, and the realization that sometimes, letting go of someone we love is the only way to strengthen ourselves. The lyrics try to capture the feeling of hopelessness and despair one experiences when they realize that no matter how hard they try, they cannot change someone's heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Dati-rati ako'y walang imik
I used to keep quiet, not speak up
Nagpupumilit at puro tiis
Trying hard and enduring everything
Binabale-wala mo pa
You're still ignoring me
Mga pangako mo'y biglang naglaho
The promises you made suddenly vanished
Diyan ka na, diyan ka na
There you are now
Diyan ka na sinta
My dear, you're there now
Paalam na, paalam na
Goodbye, goodbye
Paalam na sa iyo
I'm saying goodbye to you
Ako'y nagising na
I'm awake now
Mga mata'y namulat na
My eyes are now open
Kung wala ka pa
If you're still not here
Ayoko na
I don't want it anymore
Sa hating-gabing madilim
In the dark of night
Ang puso'y lumuluha pagka't wala ka pa
My heart is crying because you're not here
Uso pa kaya ang tulad ko
Is there still a need for someone like me?
Kung marami pa'y bawasan ng isa
If there are already many, then subtract one
Di naman ako naghahanap
I'm not even looking
Simple lamang ang aking mga pangarap
My dreams are simple
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.