Two soul-stirring voices collide in “Kung Hindi Na Kaya”, a heart-wrenching new OPM ballad written by Toto Sorioso. Out on July 4, the duet brings together Poppert Bernadas and Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben in a powerful testament to friendship, compassion, and the quiet strength of simply being there when someone is falling apart.
The song is s a lifeline. A tender, emotional offering for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up, and a promise that they won’t have to face the storm alone.
For Paolo, saying yes to the project was personal.
“Actually, ang reason ko for saying yes to this collab is, I’m really just a fan and a huge admirer of Poppert’s gift, Poppert’s craft,” he says. “In fact, yung pagkanta niya ay isa sa mga influences sa pagkanta ko… grabe ‘yung range ng boses ni Poppert. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, hanga talaga ako sa kanya.”
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Beyond admiration, it was the heart of the song that drew him in.
“Ang gusto ko sa ‘Kung Hindi Na Kaya’ is it’s a song about being there for a friend. It’s subjectively a very light topic but bihira mo rin siya makita sa mga songs at least recently. So the sincerity of the intention of the song is what makes it special.”
His favorite lyric? “Lahat ng galit sa mundo.”
“The full context is ‘lahat ng galit mo sa mundo, pwede mong ilapag lang,’” Paolo shares. “Being that person for someone else is something rare to find nowadays—and this song captures that kind of genuine, authentic friendship.”
For Poppert, the collaboration was both a thrill and a deeply moving experience.
“Sobra akong natuwa… nung sinabi niyang yes to this collaboration, I sent him this song. Tapos nung nagustuhan niya, biglang, game na!” he recalls. “Excited ako kasi alam ko kung gaano siya kahusay. Na-excite ako kung paano mag-mix or ma-incorporate yung boses naming dalawa—and it turns out, wow!”
Inside the studio at Magnify Manila, the connection was instant.
“Yung mga binabali niyang notes na never kong inexpect… para akong niyayakap doon sa ginawa niyang ad lib,” Poppert says. “Nung na-hit niya ‘yung note na ‘yon, I was like wow, nagsigawan kami dito sa studio kanina.”
The chorus, aching and honest, delivers the song’s emotional core:
At kung hindi na kaya
At kung ‘di mapigil
Sa ‘kin ka sumandal, sasaluhin kita
At kung hindi na kaya
Ang pagbuhos ng luha
Hayaan mo na lang
Ako’y nandito sa iyong tabi
Shot and recorded at Magnify Manila, the official performance video—directed by Neo Rivera—will be released alongside the single on July 4 across all major streaming platforms.
Poppert, known for his commanding presence as an OPM solo artist and his moving performances as a thespian, once again proves his strength as a storyteller through song. “Kung Hindi Na Kaya” arrives just ahead of his much-anticipated SoloPOP concert at the Music Museum on July 12—a perfect prelude to a night that promises more moments of emotional clarity and musical brilliance.
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