Having undergone several permutations in its long career, South Border has nevertheless retained its unique sound and musical sensibility and has even moved up along the current global trends in music. Hence, retaining the top spot in their particular musical genre. Much credit goes to musical director and lead creative genius Jay Durias, the staunchest unifying force that has kept the band and its music alive and thriving.
The band, whose name is a tribute to their roots in Davao down south, first came into national prominence in 1996 when they launched their first self-titled album. It included a Jimmy Antiporda song entitled “May Pag-Ibig Pa Kaya’ which they interpreted in the Metro Manila Pop Music Festival earlier that year. Another song, “Kahit Kailan” was awarded 1996 Song of the Year by various radio stations, thus giving them their first big hit.
The following year, the album reached gold, then platinum. South Border was all set for their first major concert at the Araneta Coliseum. As expected, thousands of their new found fans trooped to fill the massive dome to the brim. Before the end of 1997, the exceptional talents of South Border was recognized by their peers in the industry when they bagged the most number of trophies at the 10th AwitAwards including Best Performance by a New Duo or Group, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Produced Record of the Year for their hit song, “Kahit Kailan”. By the end of 1997, their debut album has gone triple platinum and South Border was a certified star band.
Not long after that, in the midst of a flourishing career, South Border found itself in the eye of a storm which called for a conspicuous change in their lineup. Luke Mejares replaced Brix Ferraris on lead vocals. But despite discouraging forecasts, South Border got back on their feet in no time. In a rush of creative adrenaline, the band doubled their efforts to finish their second album called Bump! It featured “Sa ‘Yo” a haunting ballad that spoke of a heart’s yearning for a loved one and “Reborn,” South Border’s first attempt at recording an instrumental piece reminiscent of their early jazz influences. In 1999, South Border once again caught the critical eye and bagged a total of 12 Katha Music awards including Record of the Year, Best Pop Song, and Best R&B Song—all for “Sa ‘Yo”. The following year, the band released its first live recording which was well-received by their fans and drew rave reviews from critics. At the turn of the new millennium, the band once again made waves with the success of “Habang Atin ang Gabi” the theme song from La Vida Rosa a Rossana Roces-Diether Ocampo film. The lyrics were written by scriptwriter Armando Lao and the music was composed by Jay Durias, who considers this song to be one of his best compositions and arrangements to date.
The same song became the carrier single for their fourth album, The Way We Do released in 2001. In November of the same year, South Border staged their biggest major show at the 30,000-seater PSC Track and Field Oval. But in the final quarter of 2002, another surprise jolted South Border’s avid followers: the announcement that Luke was leaving the band to go solo. The search for his replacement was going to be another grueling task.
Having gone through another major change in their lead vocals lineup, the band scored a major win when they got not one but two astonishing vocal talents in Vince Alaras and Duncan Ramos. 26-year old Vince, was a member of La Salle’s Kundirana and was then known as “the boy who sounded like Brian McKnight". The younger Duncan on the other hand was a child prodigy — a singing and dancing wonder boy who often accompanied Gary Valenciano in his shows and tours allover the country.
The two new talents who danced as well as they sang, provided a fresh and youthful take on South Border which has since then came up with the current hits we all hear on the radio and even on television today. The biggest of which is perhaps “Rainbow” which first hit the airwaves in 2003 for the promotion of megastar Sharon Cuneta’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Crying Ladies. South Border’s music even dominated television with their song “Ikaw Nga” —the love theme from the phenomenal hit TV series Mulawin. In 2004, the band released their first album under their own independent label. Episode III was a gigantic commercial success that included hits “The Show” and “Brown Hand Smash” — two songs that gave the group an edgier, danceable R&B sound.
Habang Atin Ang Gabi
South Border Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hindi mangangamba
Magkakalong sa dilim
Hindi nag-iisa dahil kapiling ka
Lumalim man ang gabi
Hindi mahihimbing
Aabangan ang buwan habang binibilang
Ang luha at dahas ng nagdaang umaga
Sa lambong ng gabi tila naglaho na
May luha at dahas sa darating na bukas
Ngunit habang gabi walang mababakas oh
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Habang atin ang mundo oh
Paglipas ng magdamag
Hindi malulumbay
Dahil buong magdamag
Tayong dalwa sinta nangarap ng sabay
Ang luha at dahas ng dadaang umaga
Sa lambong ng gabi tila naglaho na
May luha at dahas sa darating na bukas
Ngunit habang gabi walang mababakas
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang mundo
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Habang atin ang mundo
The lyrics of South Border's "Habang Atin Ang Gabi" speak of finding solace in the darkness, of feeling comforted in the arms of a loved one, and of dreaming together under the stars. Despite the challenges of life, the song conveys the message that as long as you have someone to hold on to, you won't feel alone and can face anything together.
The first verse talks about not fearing the approaching darkness because of the assurance of having someone to hold onto. The second verse speaks of looking forward to seeing the moon and stars while counting them, despite the depth of the night. The bridge references the tears and struggles of the past and future, but emphasizes that during the night, they have no place as love is present to erase them all. The chorus tells the listener to embrace their significant other while they have the night and the world right beside them.
Overall, the song portrays the comfort and happiness that love can bring, even in the struggles of life, and emphasizes the moments that we should treasure and enjoy together with our loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Sumapit man ang dilim
Even if darkness comes
Hindi mangangamba
I will not be afraid
Magkakalong sa dilim
We will embrace in the darkness
Hindi nag-iisa dahil kapiling ka
I am not alone because I am with you
Lumalim man ang gabi
Even if the night gets deeper
Hindi mahihimbing
I will not fall asleep
Aabangan ang buwan habang binibilang
We will wait for the moon as we count
Ang mga bitwin
The stars
Ang luha at dahas ng nagdaang umaga
The tears and struggles of the past morning
Sa lambong ng gabi tila naglaho na
In the darkness of the night seem to fade away
May luha at dahas sa darating na bukas
There will be tears and struggles in the coming tomorrow
Ngunit habang gabi walang mababakas oh
But in the night, there will be no trace
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Embrace me while the night is ours
Habang atin ang mundo oh
While the world is ours
Paglipas ng magdamag
As the night passes
Hindi malulumbay
I will not feel sadness
Dahil buong magdamag
Because throughout the night
Tayong dalwa sinta nangarap ng sabay
Both of us lovers dream together
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Embrace me while the night belongs to us
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang mundo
Embrace me while the world belongs to us
Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi
Embrace me while the night belongs to us
Habang atin ang mundo
While the world belongs to us
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marklyrics379
Sumapit man ang dilim
Hindi mangangamba
Magkakanlong sa dilim
Hindi nag-iisa
Dahil kapiling ka, hoh
Lumalim man ang gabi
Hindi mahihimbing
Aabangan ang buwan habang binibilang
Ang mga bituin
Ang luha at dahas ng nagdaang umaga
Sa lambong ng gabi, tila naglaho na
May luha at dahas sa darating na bukas
Ngunit habang gabi, walang mababakas
Hoh
Yakapin mo ako, habang atin ang gabi
Habang atin ang mundo
Hoh
Wooh
Haa
Woh
Paglipas ng magdamag
Hindi malulumbay
Dahil buong magdamag
Tayong dal'wa, sinta
Nangarap nang sabay
Ang luha at dahas ng nagdaang umaga
Sa lambong ng gabi, tila naglaho na
May luha at dahas sa darating na bukas
Ngunit habang gabi, walang mababakas, hoh
Yakapin mo ako, habang atin ang gabi
Hoh
Yakapin mo ako, habang atin ang mundo
Ooh
Yakapin mo ako, habang atin ang gabi
Habang atin ang mundo
@roxanneledesma9673
ILOVEYOU MY BRET.I KNOW WE ARE IN A WRONG AND COMPLICATED SITUATION BUT I PROMISE MY HEART IS ALWAYS LOVE YOU FOREVER.MAHAL NA MAHAL KITA❤.MISS HEART
@antonettejusay3457
sarap neto pakinggan grabe🥺
@concreteheiress5630
La Vida Rosa!!! <3
@angelvelasco5184
bagay to sa bagong kasal habang kasama mo yung taong mahal na mahal mo 😊
@stringsdonverano9833
swabe ng areglo👍
na-miss ko tuloy misis kong OFW♥️
@rutheribanez5672
who are still listening?🥺
@nadie.0
Never gets old. I still love southborder! ❤️❤️
@jefftan3406
Grabe ang galing naman si Jay yung lead ng South Birder i saw him on Shawtout, may mga vid greetings diyan
@mooningemini218
Lakas maka heartbroken! 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 Yakapin mo ako habang atin ang gabi huhuhu
@zandradimaranan9915
I LOVE YOU TRICIA CHRISETTE NIELO