12 OPM songs that romanticize the rain

From classic hits to modern tracks.

The first week of August came with quite the weather lineup: Tropical Depression Luis, Tropical Storm Maymay, and a habagat that has kept the rains coming.

But if there’s one thing Filipinos have long done when the rain comes, it’s romanticizing it.

Over the years, OPM has turned the wet season into a backdrop for heartbreak, longing, nostalgia, kilig, friendship, and even the occasional bad-timing disaster.

Here are 12 songs that capture the many moods of the tag-ulan.

“Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan” by APO Hiking Society

Not every rainy day song has to be about heartbreak. APO Hiking Society’s “Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan” turns a rainy afternoon into an excuse to stay indoors, listen to the radio, and generally do as little as possible.

Its easygoing groove and slice-of-life humor make the song feel less like a lament and more like a soundtrack to being stuck at home.

The track was later covered by Parokya ni Edgar for the 2006 APO tribute album, “Kami nAPO Muna”—giving the rainy-day classic a younger rock treatment.

“Raining in Manila” by Lola Amour

Lola Amour’s “Raining in Manila” brings a distinctly City Pop-influenced sound to the rainy-day playlist, pairing its breezy groove with a narrator missing someone far away. Released in 2023, it became one of OPM’s biggest modern rain anthems.

But it isn’t necessarily a love song. Vocalist Pio Dumayas said it was inspired by friends who left the Philippines for better opportunities abroad—a feeling that gives the song a more bittersweet sense of distance.

Its closing lines capture that feeling: “So, I’ll be waiting in Manila kahit di ka na babalik / Andiyan lang ang mga tala… Saan mang sulok ng mundo.” Even when someone leaves, the connection remains—wherever in the world they may be.

“Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka” by Basil Valdez

Few OPM songs make rain sound this intimate. Composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and originally sung by Basil Valdez, “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka” turns a downpour into a backdrop for desire.

The Maestro’s lyricism shines in “Maaari bang minsan pa / Mahagkan ka’t maiduyan ka / Sakbibi ka’t ulan lamang ang saksi.” But it’s the final chorus with the “uwian na” factor: “Minsan pa ulan bumuhos ka’t h’wag nang tumigil pa / Hatid mo ma’y bagyo, dalangin ito ng puso kong sumasamo.”

The song has since been interpreted by Regine Velasquez, Noel Cabangon, and the Eraserheads, among others.

“Bakit Ba Naman (Ngayon Pa Umulan)” by Bodjie’s Law of Gravity

Rain, generally, ruins your plans, especially romantic dates. Bodjie’s Law of Gravity’s 1992 track turns a badly timed downpour into a very specific kind of frustration: getting caught in the rain on that big day, “Kung kailan ako dadalaw sa ‘yo.”

The complaint is hilariously mundane: “Puting-puti pa naman ang pantalon ko / Puting-puti rin ang sapatos ko / Ako pa mismo ang nagplantsa ng polo ko.” Then comes the inevitable: “Oh bakit ba naman ngayon pa umulan?”

“Ulan” by Rivermaya

For many Batang 90s, Rivermaya’s “Ulan” makes the rain feel less like something to hide from and more like an invitation to go outside. The 1995 single turns a downpour into a carefree, almost childlike rush.

Its chorus says it all: “At inong di mapapasayaw ng ulan / At sinong di mababaliw sa ulan.”

It recalls the good ol’ days of dancing, playing, and showering in the rain, when a downpour meant fun first and everything else later. There’s something bittersweet about it now, when rain can just as easily mean flooded streets, the flood control scandal, and the changing climate.

“Ambon” by Barbie Almalbis

Written by Nica del Rosario, “Ambon” was originally interpreted by Barbie Almalbis as one of the 15 finalists in the 2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songwriting contest.

The song compares the early stages of unrequited love to a light drizzle: “Ngunit kahit magkaharap / Dito ay bumabagyo / Ngunit diyan / Umaambon lamang.” It later gained a popular cover by acoustic duo Migz and Maya, whose version became the theme song of the 2016 romantic drama “How to Be Yours” starring Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo.

“Basang-Basa sa Ulan” by Aegis

If there’s a pangmalakasang karaoke entry on this list, it’s Aegis’ “Basang-Basa sa Ulan.” Released in 1998 as part of their album “Halik,” the song turns heartbreak into a full-on birit showcase.

“Heto ako, basang-basa sa ulan / Walang masisilungan, walang malalapitan” sets up the melodrama before the song climbs into its soaring chorus. It’s the kind of track that demands commitment—and a scarred heart.

“Sukob Na” by 17:28

Few rainy day gestures are as classic as asking someone to share your umbrella. “Sukob Na” leans into that simple act, turning shelter from the rain into an excuse to get a little closer.

Originally recorded in 2002 by boy band 17:28, the song was revived by Ice Seguerra in 2005 with a softer, acoustic treatment. Its invitation is as straightforward as it is sweet: “Sukob na, halika na / Sabay tayo sa payong ko.”

“Tag-ulan” by After Image

Before tag-ulan became a seasonal playlist keyword, After Image already had a song for it: “Tag-ulan.”

Written by frontman Wency Cornejo for the band’s 1994 album “Tag-ulan, Tag-araw,” the song turns rain into a metaphor for a friend’s grief: “Kapag umuulan bumuhos ang langit / Sa ’yong mga mata / Kapag mayro’ng unos ay aagos ang luha / Ngunit di ka mag-iisa, kaibigan.” The message is simple: whatever storm comes, a good friend won’t let you weather it alone.

The song got an R&B-leaning treatment from Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, though they dropped the original’s friendship angle—and recast it as a romantic plea. Their cover was featured in the 2017 rom-com “Luck at First Sight,” starring Jericho Rosales and Bela Padilla.

“Ulan” by Cueshé

If Rivermaya’s “Ulan” makes the rain feel carefree, Cueshé’s 2000s hit makes it downright painful.

The opening lyrics say it all: “Lagi na lang umuulan / Parang walang katapusan / Tulad ng paghihirap ko ngayon.”

It’s senti at its best: the rain goes on and so is the heartbreak.

“Rainy Day” by Itchyworms

The Itchyworms’ “Rainy Day,” from their 2013 album “After All This Time,” is for those muni-muni moments when you just want someone to stay.

The song opens with “Woke up this morning, something is missing / You were not there beside me,” before turning the rainy-day mood into a plea: “Wouldn’t you rather be hanging / Around with me?” Its refrain puts the longing plainly: “It’s a beautiful day, the sun is away / I’d rather you spend it with me.”

The song’s music video starred a still-nene Maris Racal and totoy Daniel Matsunaga, the Pinoy Big Brother: All In second big placer and big winner, respectively.

“Rainbow” by South Border

South Border’s “Rainbow” takes the rain in a different direction: not as a metaphor for heartbreak, but as something that eventually gives way to better days.

Released in 2000, the song became one of the band’s signature hits, its message of hope resonating through life’s rough patches. Its enduring promise comes in the chorus’ final line: “There’s a rainbow always after the rain.”

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