For decades, Cecile Azarcon has written songs that became part of the Filipino soundtrack.

Among her best-known works are “Lift Up Your Hands,” originally recorded by Basil Valdez; “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin,” popularized by Martin Nievera; “How Did You Know,” first recorded by Chiqui Pineda and later revived by Gary Valenciano; and “Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga,” also recorded by Basil Valdez.

Her catalog also includes “Even If,” originally sung by Jam Morales; “I Think I'm in Love” and “One More Try,” both recorded by Kuh Ledesma; “Reaching Out,” recorded by Gary Valenciano and later covered by David Archuleta; “So, It's You,” interpreted by Raymond Lauchengco; and “Special Memory,” originally sung by Iwi Laurel.

Now, one of OPM’s most celebrated composers is being honored with a song of her own.

TrueStoriesSung Creative Studio has released “The Songs Came Home,” a tribute to Azarcon-Inocentes, with lyrics by Cheska CK and music by Jun Mirasol.

The idea started with a simple question from Cheska: How do you write lyrics for someone whose songs have already said it all?

Then Cheska met Azarcon and got to know the woman behind the music.

“Warm, gracious, humble, and generous with her kindness,” Cheska recalled.

That meeting inspired her to write “The Songs Came Home.”

She eventually gathered enough courage to send the song to Azarcon, along with a request for permission to release and distribute it and use her photo for the cover.

Azarcon said yes.

For Cheska, the moment was surreal.

“I stared at her message thinking, wait… did Ms. Cecile Azarcon just give me permission to release lyrics I wrote for the one and only Ms. Cecile Azarcon?” she said.

The song was born from that gratitude.

“You’ve spent a lifetime giving us the words our hearts could never find. So let us give one song to you this time."

With its piano-led OPM ballad sound, “The Songs Came Home” celebrates Azarcon’s musical legacy while telling a more personal story: the moment one songwriter finally found the courage to write for the woman whose songs had already spoken for so many.

“She gave our hearts a voice when words would never do,” Cheska said.

“This time, one song came home to her.”

“The Songs Came Home” is available on major streaming platforms.