Bayan Ko
"Bayan Ko" (English: My Country) is one of the most recognizable patriotic songs in the Philippines that, because of its popularity, is sometimes assumed to be a folk song and the unofficial national anthem of the Philippines. It was originally written as a poem by José Corazón de Jesús in 1929, and set to music by Constancio de Guzman.
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[edit] Brief history
Written as a protest song during the American occupation of the Philippines, it is often sung in protest rallies and demonstrations throughout Philippine history, notably during the funeral of Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. and the ensuing People Power Revolution of 1986 where Freddie Aguilar led the crowd to sing the song's chorus.[1] Due to the song being used against the Marcos dictatorship, the Martial Law era saw the banning of most public performances of the piece; anyone who dared to sing or play it in public was deemed a dissident and could potentially have been incarcerated.
The song has also been re-arranged and recorded by different composers and singers, notably by Lucio San Pedro (National Artist for music), Lolita Carbon, and Freddie Aguilar. Aguilar's cover is one of the most famous renditions of the song; an often overlooked detail is that the instrumental section of this version is actually another Filipino patriotic hymn: "Pilipinas Kong Mahal". Carbon's rendition included another de Jesus work, Kay Sarap Mabuhay Sa Sariling Bayan, as a preluding stanza to the main lyrics. Sung mostly by Leftist groups, the stanza is included either as the prelude or the bridge replacing Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
[edit] In recent history
In July 1987, a revival version spearheaded by PLDT (or the Philippine Long Distance Co.) was aired on radio and television which featured pop singer JoAnne Lorenzana as the vocals behind the nationalistic campaign of that year, remembering the first year anniversary of the People Power Revolution.[2]
On November 7, 1988, an a capella version by Josephine Roberto, featuring the cast of That's Entertainment, was used for Towering Power: A Musical Dedication, which was for the launching of GMA Network's 777-foot tower.
On November 18, 2006, a Japanese version by Allison Opaon, was performed in Yokohama during a concert-rally against political killings in the Philippines.
On August 1, 2009, "Bayan Ko" was then sung by the congregation as the recessional song for the noon Mass held at the EDSA Shrine originally intended to cap the quarant'ore vigil for the healing of former President Corazon Aquino. The Mass was celebrated instead to mourn her death earlier that day.
On August 3, 2009, crowds during the transfer of President Aquino's remains from La Salle Green Hills to the Manila Cathedral sang the song.[3]
On August 5, 2009, at President Aquino's requiem Mass, Lea Salonga delivered her own rendition of the song as the recessional prior to Aquino's casket was brought out of Manila Cathedral.[4] Outside, a military band played it as the truck bearing the former President's remains and its honour detail headed out for the funeral procession. A final rendition was sung by the mourners along with several religious hymns as Aquino's remains were interred beside those of her husband at the couple's mausoleum.
On October 25, 2009 (in Manila) and on October 28, 2009 (in Cebu), Libera gave rousing performances of "Bayan Ko" as encores to their first ever Philippine tour. The audience were so touched by the performance that sporadic applause could be heard throughout the song.[5] Again, on April 14, 2010, as part of their 2010 Summer Philippine tour, Libera appeared as guests in the hit daytime TV show, Showtime, and sang Bayan Ko.[6]
On June 30, 2010, the Philippine Madrigal Singers sang "Bayan Ko" during the inauguration of Benigno Aquino III and Jejomar Binay in Quirino Grandstand.
On March 7, 2011, Domino de Pio Teodosio (with guitar) sang a special arrangement of "Bayan Ko" by Reginald Vince M. Espiritu (oboe) and Anjo Inacay (cello) at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in front of leaders of the world during the Kennedy School's International Week. The performance was organized by the Philippine Caucus of the Kennedy School.[7]
[edit] Lyrics
| Filipino lyrics: Bayan Ko |
English translation: My Country |
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Ang bayan kong Pilipinas, |
My country, the Philippines, |
[edit] References
- ^ Rodell, Paul A. (2001). Culture and Customs of the Philippines. Greenwood Publishing. p. 187. ISBN 0313304157. http://books.google.com/books?id=TyH01t-6HbcC. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ Bayan Ko -ethnic-revival version by JoAnne Lorenzana on YouTube
- ^ 120,000 Show up for Cory - ABS-CBNnews.com
- ^ Lea Salonga's 'Bayan Ko' rendition brings back mourners to EDSA '86 - GMANews.TV
- ^ Libera sings Bayan Ko on YouTube
- ^ Libera sings Bayan Ko on Showtime on YouTube
- ^ "Facebook". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150113146959374. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
[edit] External links
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