From a young girl who captured the Philippines with her powerful voice to a performer exploring new opportunities in entertainment, Lyca Gairanod has a story that goes beyond her singing talent.
The first grand champion of *The Voice Kids Philippines* in 2014 has grown up in the public eye, but some of the experiences that shaped her journey are less familiar to audiences. These include the challenges she faced in school, the choices her family made after her victory and how she came to understand the meaning of a song she recorded as a child.
For Kwento Ni Toto, here are five things you may have only recently learned about Lyca Gairanod.
1. She experienced bullying because of her family's livelihood
Before becoming a household name, Gairanod experienced bullying from classmates because her family earned a living by collecting and selling recyclable materials.In a 2014 interview with ABS-CBN Entertainment, the young singer shared how her classmates teased her about potentially becoming a magbobote, a term commonly used for someone who collects and sells bottles and other recyclable items.
Her experience was a difficult part of growing up, but it also highlighted the dignity of honest work and the importance of treating people with respect regardless of their economic circumstances.
Gairanod's story began long before her television appearances and singing competitions. Behind the young performer was a child navigating the same struggles with acceptance and belonging that many others experience.
Source: ABS-CBN Entertainment — “The Voice Kids’ Lyca Gairanod admits to getting bullied”
2. Winning "The Voice Kids'' did not mean her family would stay in their prize home forever
Gairanod's victory in "The Voice Kids Philippines" brought her family new opportunities, including a house and lot awarded as part of her grand prize.However, the family's circumstances changed after the competition. A 2021 report by PEP.ph said the family eventually sold the property and returned to Tanza, Cavite.
The report cited family considerations, including her grandmother's preference for staying in a place familiar to her.
The decision offers a glimpse into what can happen after a major television competition changes a family's circumstances. While a prize can provide new opportunities, practical needs, family preferences and a sense of home can also influence important decisions.
For Gairanod and her family, winning the competition was a milestone, but it did not mean every aspect of their lives had to change permanently.
Source: PEP.ph — “Lyca Gairanod clarifies her family does not depend on her”
3. She had to balance school requirements with her singing career
Building a career in entertainment at a young age meant Gairanod had to manage responsibilities beyond performing onstage.In a 2019 interview with ABS-CBN Entertainment, she discussed how she balanced her senior high school requirements with her work commitments.
She explained that she attended classes when her schedule allowed and submitted excuse letters when professional obligations prevented her from going to school.
For a young performer, juggling classes, assignments and appearances requires careful time management. Her experience also reflects the challenges faced by students whose responsibilities extend beyond the classroom.
While audiences saw her perform, Gairanod still had lessons to study, school requirements to complete and an education to pursue.
Source: ABS-CBN Entertainment — “Lyca Gairanod shares how she balances work and school”
4. She did not fully understand the message of “Puede Nang Mangarap” when she first recorded it
Sometimes, a song takes on a different meaning as the person singing it grows older. That appears to be the case with Gairanod and “Puede Nang Mangarap.”In an October 2026 interview on GMA's "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda", Gairanod recalled recording the song when she was still a child. At the time, she said she enjoyed its cheerful sound and dance moves without fully understanding its deeper, inspirational message.
Composed by Jungee Marcelo and recorded in 2015, the song would later become closely associated with Gairanod's own journey.
As she grew older, its message about dreaming and pursuing possibilities took on a more personal meaning. Her experiences in the entertainment industry gave her a different perspective on the words she had once sung without fully grasping their significance.
It is a reminder that music can grow with the person who performs it. A song that once feels fun and familiar can eventually reflect experiences, struggles and aspirations that were not fully understood when it was first recorded.
Sources: GMA News — “Lyca Gairanod shares story behind viral song ‘Puede Nang Mangarap’”; GMA Entertainment — “How ‘Puwede Nang Mangarap’ changed her life”
5. Helping her family was a personal choice
Gairanod's success has often been discussed alongside her role in helping support her family. But she has also offered a more personal perspective on that responsibility.In a 2021 interview reported by PEP.ph, Gairanod clarified that her family did not simply depend on her earnings. She said helping her loved ones was something she wanted to do, while her mother did not want the responsibility to fall on her alone.
Her account adds context to the familiar narrative of a young entertainer becoming a family's breadwinner. Supporting loved ones can be an expression of gratitude and affection, rather than an obligation imposed by relatives.
It also shows why public assumptions about a performer's family life do not always capture the full picture. Behind the recognition and professional achievements are personal relationships and decisions that audiences may not see.
For Gairanod, helping her family was not just about earning money. It was also about being able to give back to the people who matter to her.
Source: PEP.ph — “Lyca Gairanod clarifies her family does not depend on her”
Beyond the voice that first captured the country
Lyca Gairanod's journey is more than a story of a young singer winning a national competition. It is also a story of growing up in the public eye, facing personal challenges and learning to navigate the opportunities that come with success.From experiencing bullying because of her family's livelihood to balancing school with professional commitments, her experiences offer a closer look at the person behind the powerful voice. Her reflections on “Puede Nang Mangarap” also show how the meaning of a song can change as life unfolds.
More than a decade after her "The Voice Kids Philippines" victory, Gairanod continues to explore opportunities in entertainment while carrying the experiences that helped shape her journey.
And perhaps that is what makes her story worth revisiting. People may have first remembered her for her voice, but the life behind the music offers its own reasons to keep listening.
Mga KaToto, what part of Lyca Gairanod's journey surprised you the most? Share your thoughts with us, and join us for more stories about the people behind the headlines here at Kwento Ni Toto.
Good day mga Katoto! It's Kwento time! See you on our next Kwento!
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