They slowly gained popularity through performances in other provinces, such as Coclé, Chiriquí, Veraguas, and Los Santos.

They then made several appearances on Panamanian television networks, such as RTVE and Channel 11, in order to reach a larger audience.

At ages fifteen and thirteen, Samy and Sandra began to travel with their band, Ritmo Montañero ("Mountaineer Rhythm").

Their rise in popularity was attributed to Sandra's voice, dance ability, and enthusiasm, as well as Samy's skill at playing the accordion.

[5] The Sandovals' successful songs include "Brindemos por lo nuestro" ("Toast to Ourselves"), "La mujer superficial" ("Superficial Woman"), "Oiga el viejo pá jodé," and "Lo que no da se deja" ("What is ungiving ought to be abandoned").

In 1994, at the Encuentro de Accordeones ("Meeting of Accordions") festival they became popular with the song "La gallina fina" ("The Fine Hen"), which they also performed on the soundtrack for the 2001 movie The Tailor of Panama.

They were the subject of biography, Samy and Sandra: The Story, written by Sergio Pérez Saavedra, and a DVD by the same title.