They were often dressed in ragged clothes to depict the then dire situation of the scavengers living in the garbage dump in Manila after which the group was named. In 1989, the group released its first self-titled pop album that consisted of songs revolving around social, environmental, and patriotic themes. The group's first hit, Kailan (When), was number one on national airwaves for eight straight weeks and the album hit gold, platinum, and double-platinum status within months of its release. In late 1990, the group went on the "Better World" tour, performing at the United Nations World Summit for Children and representing the Philippines at the 5th ASEAN Song Festival in Surabaya, Indonesia.
As the members aged, Lambino, Cruz, and Hidalgo would leave the group. Ryan Cayabyab would reform the group with its last remaining original member Coronel and three new members Zhar Santos, Chedi Vergara, and Jayson Anganan. It is from this batch that the group's most successful hits were spawned: Da Coconut Nut (about the benefits of the coconut plant), Paraiso (literally paradise; ironically, about a degrading environment filled with garbage and smog), and their own version of Kailan. They also won awards for both Paraiso and Tayo Na (Let's Go).
In around 1993, Coronel would leave the group. The remnants of the latest batch disbanded sometime later. Cruz would later on move full time into showbiz, with Lambino having stints in musical theatre and broadcast news and later, graduate studies in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar. Hidalgo would go into songwriting and Coronel into managing a Manila-based call center. Santos would audition in the fourth edition of the reality show American Idol under the name Sharon Galvez, but was shut out of the semi-finals. Vergara would also cut a solo album of her own with some success.
Kailan
Smokey Mountain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sa tuwing ika'y nakikita
Sana nama'y magpakilala
Ilang ulit nang nagkabangga
Aklat kong dala'y pinulot mo pa
'Di ka pa rin nagpakilala
'Di ka naman tumitingin
Ano'ng aking dapat gawin
Bakit kaya umiiwas
Binti ko ba'y mayroong gasgas
Nais ko lang magpakilala
Dito'y mayroon sa puso ko
Munting puwang laan sa 'yo
Maaari na bang magpakilala
Bawat araw sinusundan
'Di ka naman tumitingin
Ano'ng aking dapat gawin
Kailan (kailan)
Kailan mo ba mapapansin ang aking lihim
Kahit ano'ng aking gawin 'di mo pinapansin
Kailan (kailan)
Kailan hahaplusin ang pusong bitin na bitin
Kahit ano'ng gawing lambing 'di mo pa rin pansin
Dito'y mayroon sa puso ko
Munting puwang laan sa 'yo
Maaari na bang magpakilala
Bawat araw sinusundan
'Di ka naman tumitingin
Ano'ng aking dapat gawin
Kailan kailan mo ba mapapansin ang aking lihim
Kahit ano'ng aking gawin 'di mo pinapansin
Kailan (kailan)
Kailan hahaplusin ang pusong bitin na bitin
Kahit ano'ng gawing lambing 'di mo pa rin pansin (kailan kahit anong aking gawin di mo pinapansin oh kailan)
The lyrics of Smokey Mountain's song "Kailan" are about unrequited love and the frustration of the singer who is longing to be noticed and loved by someone who seems to be avoiding them. Throughout the song, the singer asks why the person they love is not paying attention to them, even though they have crossed paths several times. The singer wants the person to show some sign of interest and to acknowledge their feelings. The singer also mentions a physical injury (gasgas) on their leg that may have made them hesitant to approach their crush.
The chorus of the song pleads for the person to finally notice the singer's hidden love, and for their heart to be relieved of the unrequited longing. It is a heartbreaking song that is relatable to anyone who has ever loved someone from afar and wished for that love to be reciprocated. The tender melody and timeless lyrics have made "Kailan" a classic Filipino love song that still resonates with audiences today, decades after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
Bakit kaya nangangamba
I wonder why I get anxious every time I see you
Sa tuwing ika'y nakikita
Whenever I catch sight of you
Sana nama'y magpakilala
I wish you'd introduce yourself
Ilang ulit nang nagkabangga
We've collided several times
Aklat kong dala'y pinulot mo pa
You even picked up the books I dropped
'Di ka pa rin nagpakilala
But you still haven't introduced yourself
Bawat araw sinusundan
I've been following you every day
'Di ka naman tumitingin
But you don't even glance my way
Ano'ng aking dapat gawin
What should I do?
Bakit kaya umiiwas
I wonder why you're avoiding me
Binti ko ba'y mayroong gasgas
Is it because my leg has a scratch?
Nais ko lang magpakilala
All I want is to introduce myself
Dito'y mayroon sa puso ko
Here in my heart
Munting puwang laan sa 'yo
There's a small space reserved for you
Maaari na bang magpakilala
May I finally introduce myself?
Kailan (kailan)
When (when)
Kailan mo ba mapapansin ang aking lihim
When will you notice my secret?
Kahit ano'ng aking gawin 'di mo pinapansin
No matter what I do, you don't pay attention
Kailan (kailan)
When (when)
Kailan hahaplusin ang pusong bitin na bitin
When will you fill my longing heart?
Kahit ano'ng gawing lambing 'di mo pa rin pansin
Even if I'm affectionate, you still don't notice
Kailan kahit anong aking gawin di mo pinapansin oh kailan
When, even if I do everything, do you still not notice?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stormkarding228
Mga panahong matatawag ka legit 90s kid dahil hindi ka born 90s at inabot mo lang naman ang early 90s.
@SacredHeartImmaculateHeart
Iba talaga Ang 80s at 90s.. nakakamiss Ang mga panahon nito.. 🥺🥺❤️❤️
@murielle83
kanta ko ito noon sa crush ko sa high school 🤭🤭🤭
@janrosebatong4708
Ito po yong song na hindi maluluma.. sng ganda..❤😊
@user-yr7ok2zw1x
Luv gen bata pako nito❤😊
@Mimi-fg8kg
Ganda ng boses 😍😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
@zamusino3651
I was second year high school when this song hit the airwaves. So nostalgic!
@kunormz_tv1902
Ganda nang boses ni Geneva cruz nung bata pa sya nakaka relax at nkaka inlove..
@user-cj8hg1fo1p
Kailan
@nexuskane3264
Lupet geneva. Naalala ko tuloy nung grade 3 pako tong song nato.