Songs that
rekindle Pinoys’ nationalist, patriotic spirit
12:16 AM July 4th, 2016
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The month of June 2016 saw a resurgence of Original Pilipino
Music (OPM). Dozens of local acts gathered in different venues all over the
metro for the annual “Fête de la Musique.” Coincidentally, the music festival
took place in the same month as the Philippine Independence Day celebration,
which made me wonder if Filipinos nowadays still appreciate the music of
patriotic artists like Heber Bartolome, Susan Fernandez and Jess Santiago.
And so to pay homage to Filipino progressive music, here are
some great patriotic and protest songs to rekindle our nationalist spirit.
“Julian Makabayan”—a classic from the 1980s and 1990s that
tells of the oppressed peasants’s struggle for land.
“Pinggan,” Pol Galang’s allegorical piece that describes the
grossly unjust relationship between the United States and the Philippines.
“Pamantasan ng Puso,” a melodious folk rock song by Gary
Granada that brilliantly distinguishes the highly successful, albeit
self-serving, graduates from those who did not finish school because of
financial constraints yet selflessly serve the poor.
“Lupa,” an evocative ballad by The Jerks from its live and
debut album, which is about love of motherland and assertion of national
sovereignty and independence.
“Tatsulok,” a popular Buklod song by Rom Dongeto, included
in the “Karapatang Pantao” compilation album, that affirms that long-lasting
peace is not possible without social justice.
“Wala nang Tao sa Sta. Filomena,” music icon Joey Ayala’s
powerful and poignant song about a village that became a ghost town after being
terrorized by anticommunist vigilantes.
“Di Pangkaraniwan,” Danny Fabella’s touching tribute to
those who wholeheartedly serve the Filipino people.
“Alamat,” poet Eric Acosta’s thought-provoking song that
demystifies all the myths about the country’s rampant poverty and hunger.
“Ang Kailangan Gawin,” an anticorruption song composed by
Gary Granada and performed by Dong Abay.
“Republikang Basahan,” Teodoro Agoncillo’s poem about our
bogus independence translated masterfully into music by professor Joel Costa
Malabanan.
“Awit sa Bayani,” one of Levy Abad Jr.’s most moving songs,
which depicts the painstaking sacrifices of the revolutionary heroes and martyrs.
“Bayan Ko,” Jose Corazon de Jesus’ antiimperialist poem used
as a popular protest song since the 1920s, which nationalist historian Renato
Constantino referred to as our “alternate national anthem”
because of its continuing relevance. Interestingly, Koyang Jess Santiago’s
version of the song was featured in the end credits of Lino Brocka’s classic
film “Bayan Ko: Kapit Sa Patalim.”
Like everything else in this world, Filipino music will
continue to evolve. In any case, we should never lose interest in our local
progressive music —music that does not sugarcoat the harsh realities in our
society and reflects the struggles of the people for genuine freedom and
change.
—DANIEL ALOC, tierra.giya@yahoo.com
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