THE PALAD VOICES

Two Small Voices with unique talent and a three-stringed Ukulele is all it takes for these brothers to live life another day.

Jun Drel, 7 years old and his 8 year old kuya Darel John, sells their one of a kind music through harana for P20-40, a way to make ends meet.

Born in Baroy, Lanao del Norte, Jun-jun and John-john’s (their nicknames) father was a farmer in their hometown. When their parents separated their father decided to bring them to Davao, to start anew.

Fate may be not on their side at that time because when they arrived in Davao, their father Meli didn’t have the chance to get a job. They even have to sleep, eat and live in Agdao Flyover during their first few days in the city.

That is why the Palad brothers came to the rescue and decided to work in the streets at such a tender age. They have to step-in and take full responsibility of their own lives in order to survive.

A chance of a lifetime came in a very unexpected situation. The night seemed to be ordinary to the brothers became extraordinary after offering a harana to person at the Sta. Ana Police Station.

The guy was John Paul Seniel, a reporter in GMA Testigo, who was inside in their vehicle, when these 2 kids offered a song to serenade him for a few bucks.

“ At first, I thought manaygon lang sila mao nisugot ko pero katong nadunggan nako, na-impress ko kay mga hawod gyud ug adunay silay mga original compositions”, John Paul shares with Insider.

The kids even made Testigo’s pick-up their own stage, as a growing number of audience came to watch the talented duo singing some familiar and entertaining Visayan songs.

After John Paul featured them in Testigo’s segmet Bida Ka, then came the donations from generous individuals and institutions to help and support the children.

Recently, the Samahan ng Mga Musikero sa Davao Inc. organized a concert dedicated to street kids and the Palad brother’s were one of their artists featured to perform at the Taboan in Matina Town Square.

In an interview before the show, Jun-jun was the talkative one , while his Kuya John-john was just quietly observing his younger brother.

When asked, what are their plans now that they are famous, they both answered, “Mag-artista!”.

And artista indeed! Now that John Paul already made it official during the concert that Jun-jun and John-john will have a regular stint in GMA’s morning show UNA KA BAI which will start its airing this October.

Currently, the brothers are taking some special classes as a preparatory for grade2 next school year, sponsored by the Kuru Sawa Development School.

A documentary film entitled, “ Ako ug si Kuya, The Selling Music of the Palad Brothers”, will be featuring the children’s life story already started it’s principal photography directed by John Paul Seniel himself.

“I’ve already chosen the theme song which is , Ako Ang Mangubra sa Tag-bainteng Adlaw, an original composition of the kids. The documentary will be my entry for a Human Rights International Festival”, he says.

More Q and A with the Palad Brothers prior to the show:

How many songs do you know?
Jun: “ Bainte dos (22).”

Among your 22 songs, do you have any favorites
Jun: “Mangubra”.
John: “Pare”

Who taught you how to sing and play your instrument?
John: “Papa.”

Things youv’e learned in school?
Jun: “Panatang Makabayan ug Math, naka-100 mi sa quiz!”
John: “Math, Addition”

What do you want to be ?
Jun: “Ako gusto nako na ma-Sundalo!”
John: (thinks for a moment) “Mag-Doctor.”
Jun: “Magdoktor ka?Maayo baya og kabalo, hala ka!” (teases his brother)

Now that you are famous, do you have any plans?
Jun and John: “Mag-artista!”

Should a kid be working on the street?
Jun and John: “Dili.”

Where should they be?
John: “Dapat sila mag-eskwela.”
Jun: “Sa paaralan!”

Message to your Kuya John Paul?
John: “Nalipay mi kay imo ming gitabangan.”
Jun: “Thank you kay ikaw ang nakakita sa amoa.”