If your feed has been full of rainbow backgrounds and a catchy tune about dreaming, you’ve met Lyca Gairanod again. The singer who won the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines in 2014 is, a decade later, trending for a song she recorded at 11.
The Girl From Tanza
Lyca was nine when she auditioned with Aegis’ “Halik,” and she joined Team Sarah Geronimo. She was widely reported to come from a family in Tanza, Cavite that got by on her father’s work as a fisherman and her mother’s collecting and selling recyclables. Neighbors paid her with coins or food to sing for them. She won the competition and became one of the most talked-about child stars of her time. She appeared as herself in an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” and her 2015 debut album, “Puede Nang Mangarap,” was released by MCA Music.
The Song That Came Back
In mid-September 2026, old clips of Lyca, now dubbed “Lyca-core,” and memes built around “Puede Nang Mangarap” went viral. Rather than let it pass, she joined in. On Sept. 19 she posted a TikTok recreating the original music video’s dance, then asked followers whether they’d like a remake. Fans said yes, and some asked for a full choreography version. No remake has been announced.
On “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” in early October, she said she loved the song as a child because it was fun and danceable, and only later understood its deeper message. The song was composed by Jungee Marcelo, who also wrote “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat” and “Labo.”
What She's Doing Now
Lyca is now 21 (she was born in November 2004. She left Star Magic in 2020 and is managed by Viva Artists Agency. Since then she has put out singles including “Akala Ko Ba” and “Malapit Na Akong Mahulog Sa Iyo,” and sang on Alamat’s “ILY ILY.” A Wish Bus cover of “Kabilang Buhay” by Bandang Lapis became one of her most-streamed tracks, according to her Spotify profile. Her agency’s profile lists acting credits that include “Mary Cherry Chua” (2023) and the TV series “Totoy Bato” (2025), plus a 2022 nomination for Favorite Female Artist at the Awit Awards.
A Moment Of Criticism
The attention hasn’t been all warm. Netizens revived criticism of her past political associations, including that she follows certain officials on social media. In an October interview she said that following someone isn’t personal, and that in 2022, when a family member was seriously ill, she took on every job she could to help. She said she doesn’t have faith in politics.
For now, the girl who sang “Puede nang mangarap” is still very much dreaming, and working.
