Thanks to award-winning writer Jose “Pete” Lacaba and his batchmate, there is now a translation of “How Did You Know,” a song composed by Cecile Azarcon and performed by Aiza Seguerra, Chiqui Pineda, and Gary Valenciano. Sir Pete has actually been translating English love songs into Filipino as part of his personal project called “Salinawit.”

Here’s the story behind the translation, from Sir Pete himself in an email message:

My fellow Atenista and batchmate, Raffy Garcia, did a first draft of this English OPM number by Cecile Azarcon, then asked me to polish and fine-tune. So this is my first collaborative work, and my first time to work on a number by a Filipino songwriter.

What’s my interest in this song? I must confess. I sang this song during my wedding in December 2004, as Joy walked down the aisle with her parents. How did I fare? Let’s just say that I’ve been warned by a principal sponsor who is a senior faculty member in the College not to do it again.

In any case, here’s the original English version and Sir Pete’s and Raffy Garcia’s translation.

HOW DID YOU KNOW
Words and music: Cecile Azarcon

I remember so well
The day that you came
Into my life.
You asked for my name,
You had the most
Beautiful smile

My life started to change
I’d wake up each day
Feeling all right
With you right by my side
Makes me feel things
Will work out just fine

How did you know
I needed someone like you in my life,
That there was an empty space in my heart
You came at the right time in my life

I’ll never forget
How you brought the sun to shine in my life
And took all the worries and fears that I have.

I guess what I’m really trying to say,
It’s not every day
That someone like you comes my way.
No words can express
How much I love you.

PAANO MO NALAMAN
Sa himig ng “How Did You Know”
Music and original English lyrics: Cecile Azarcon
Salinawit: Pete Lacaba and Raffy Garcia

A, tandang-tanda ko:
Pagdating mo sa aking buhay,
Nabighani ako
Ng iyong ngiting walang kapantay.

Agad na nagbago
Ang aking mundo, nagkakulay.
Ngayong kapiling kita,
Naging masigla ang bawat araw.

Paano mo
Nalaman na kailangan kita
At ang puso ko’y kay tagal naghintay?
Ngayo’y narito ka sa aking buhay.

Ikaw ang nagdala
Ng ilaw at saya sa aking buhay,
Inalis mong lahat ang aking kaba.
Ang ibig kong sabihin, palagay ko,
Hindi naman laging may dumarating na tulad mo.
Ang masasabi ko lang: Ikaw ang mahal ko.