Mapa

"Mapa" (a combination of the two Filipino words mama and papa, stylized in all uppercase) is a song recorded by Filipino boy band SB19, released on May 16, 2021, by Sony Music, as the second pre-release digital single off their extended play Pagsibol. The song was written by the band's leader Pablo, who also co-produced the song, together with Jay Durias of South Border and by Simon Servida, who also serves as the personnel behind the band's previous single "What?". The song was released between Mother's Day and Father's Day as a tribute to all parents.

Recording
Even before the pandemic happened and during their concert tour, SB19 had lesser time to be with their families which prompted the group to record a pop song for their parents. Pablo quoted in a press conference as saying that "We released this song to show gratitude and appreciation for [our parents for] helping us survive all the challenges and difficulties that we’ve encountered growing up". The songwriting was initiated through a Q&A with each of the members by asking what they would like to say to their parents. The song's production was mostly done virtually with the co-producer, Simon Servida, and Pablo communicating only via Instagram.

Composition and lyrics
"Mapa" has been described as "rousing ballad" synonymous to a "Japanese ballad that can be very well used as a closing song for an anime series". GMA called it a soulful ballad similar to "Tilaluha" and "Hanggang Sa Huli". The melody was inspired from a lullaby that Pablo's mother would sing to him when he was a child. In terms of music notation, the song is composed in the key of A major, with a tempo of 130 beats per minute, and has a length of 4:35.

Before the release, a brief snippet of the lyrics "La-ta-ra-ta-ra, la-ta-ra-ta-ra" sung by Pablo was revealed at the end of the logo trailer. Lyrically, the song title is a combination of the Filipino words "mama" and "papa" and the lyrics are described as "heart-wrenching" and "incredibly moving". Pablo wrote the lyrics to "inspire people to be appreciative of everything that our parents did for us and to give back" and an implication that parents serve as guidance and direction in life. Daily Tribune described that the lyrics evoked the representation of son and parents "in tight embrace" which depicted to be a "love letter" to mothers and fathers.""

Release and promotion
Two months after the release of "What?", SB19 in an interview spoiled the release of their next single would be in May. On May 3, 2021, they posted on their social media about the new song with the information of the release date. Four days later, the title of the song "Mapa" was revealed to the public. A scheduler was shared that started with SB19 sharing a letter to their parents on the first day while the fans' turn on the next day. The logo for the song represented by a compass with a paper airplane was revealed through a 19-minute video trailer posted on YouTube. On the next five days, they posted lyric cards accompanied by a Twitter "mention party" with each band members. "Mapa" was sent to digital streaming and download platforms on May 16, 2021 complemented with a lyric video. The song was performed for the first time through a music showcase broadcast on Facebook and YouTube. On May 23, 2021, it was performed on national television at ASAP variety show. A making film was uploaded on YouTube a week after release of the band version.

Lyrics
Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata
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Mama, kumusta na? 'Di na tayo laging nagkikita Miss na kita, sobra Lagi na lang kami ang nauuna 'Di ba pwedeng ikaw muna Akin na'ng pangamba

Dahil ikaw ang aking mata Sa t'wing mundo'y nag-iiba Ang dahilan ng aking paghinga

Kaya 'wag mag-alala Ipikit ang 'yong mata, taha na Pahinga muna, ako na'ng bahala Labis pa sa labis ang 'yong nagawa Mama, pahinga muna Ako na

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata

Papa, naalala mo pa ba? Yeah Nung ako ay bata pa, 'di ba? Aking puso'y 'yong hinanda sa Mga bagay na buhay ang may dala Dala ko ang 'yong bawat payo At hanggang sa dulo, magkalayo man tayo Ako'y tatayo, pangako, tatay ko

Dahil ikaw ang aking paa Sa tuwing ako'y gagapang na Ang dahilan ng aking paghinga

Kaya 'wag mag-alala Ipikit ang 'yong mata, taha na Pahinga muna, ako na'ng bahala Labis pa sa labis ang 'yong nagawa Papa, pahinga muna Ako na

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata, yeah

'Di ko na sasayangin pa'ng mga natitirang paghinga Tutungo na kung sa'n naro'n ang mahalaga, woah-oh At kahit na kailan pa ma'y 'di mawawala 'Pagkat dala ko ang mapa Sa'n man mapunta alam kung sa'n nagmula, woah-oh

'Wag mag-alala Ipikit ang 'yong mata, taha na Pahinga muna Ako na

'Wag mag-alala Ipikit ang 'yong mata, taha na Pahinga muna, ako na'ng bahala Labis pa sa labis ang 'yong nagawa Ma, Pa, pahinga muna Ako na

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata

Oh-woah Ma, Pa Oh, Ma, Pa Oh-woah

Ma, Pa, pahinga muna Ako na Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata
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Mom, how are you? We don't always see each other anymore I miss you so much It’s always us who you put first Can't you go first this time? I’d bear the worries now

Because you are my eyes, Everytime the world is changing The reason of my breathing

So don't worry, Close your eyes, stop crying, Rest for now, I'll take care of it You’ve done too much Mom, rest first Let me do it

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata

Dad, do you still remember When I was young, right? You prepared my heart For the things that the world brings I carry your every advice And to the end, even we are apart I will stand, promise. My father

Because you are my feet Whenever I’m already crawling The reason of my breathing

So don't worry, Close your eyes, stop crying, Rest for now, I'll take care of it You’ve done too much Mom, rest first Let me do it

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata, yeah

I won't waste Any more breaths I will go now to where the important things are I will not be lost anytime For I brought the map Wherever I go, I know where I came from

So don't worry, Close your eyes, stop crying, Rest for now, I'll do it

So don't worry, Close your eyes, stop crying, Rest for now, I'll take care of it You’ve done too much Mom, rest first Let me do it

Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata Latara tara Latara tara Latara tara tara Latara lata

Oh-woah, Ma, Pa Oh, Ma, Pa Oh-woah

Mom, Dad Take a rest now I’ll be the one taking care of you now