From OPM classics and P-pop favorites to campaign tributes and widely translated hits, these Filipino songs are proof of just how beautiful the language of music is—especially our own
With Filipinos, movies and dramas are not the only instances we’ll hear theme songs and soundtracks. Real life—yes, even history—has been backed by many iconic anthems, both solemn and heart-pounding. The beautiful thing about music is that the songs that have marked our cultural and social movements transcend the era they were written or popularized.
We may occasionally still hear many of these songs today, transporting us back to these historic times. Let’s take a quick sound trip down memory lane with 10 songs that have defined the numerous eras in Philippine social and pop culture history.
“Magkaisa,” “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo,” and “Bayan Ko”
These three songs have collectively become iconic for their association with the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. The songs call for unity and peace, and ultimately speak of love of country. These songs continue to be played at protests and organized gatherings where citizens clamor and fight for their rights—precisely the same message behind People Power decades ago.
“Magkaisa” was composed by Tito Sotto and was performed by Virna Lisa. As the title suggests, the song calls on Filipinos to look past our differences and unite for a common cause.
“Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” meanwhile was a song by Jim Paredes of the Apo Hiking Society, and was performed by a “supergroup” of 15 OPM artists. It spoke of the legacy of the movement: a peaceful route towards freedom and change. “Katotohanan, kalayaan, katarungan / ay kayang makamit nang walang dahas / basta’t magkaisa tayong lahat,” the lyrics say.
Another popular song of the time is “Bayan Ko,” a kundiman, that was originally written in Spanish by revolutionary general Jose Alejandrino. It was meant to be part of Severino Reyes’ zarzuela “Walang Sugat.” The song we know today is the Tagalog version translated by Jose Corazon de Jesus.
Though written in protest against the American occupation of the Philippines, the song has since become a protest song at various points of our history, most especially during the Marcos dictatorship.
“Pare Ko” by the Eraserheads
A more lighthearted ballad compared to the first three entries, “Pare Ko” is part of the rock band Eraserheads’ debut album “Ultraelectromagneticpop” in 1993. The song revolves around a young man asking his barkada for advice after being led on and dumped by a girl he likes. Relatable fare, but part of what made the song popular was also its inclusion of explicit lyrics (“‘Di ba? T*ng ina, nagmukha akong tanga”), which was not common in songs at the time.
The Eraserheads’ success with the album led other bands to rise to prominence as well, ushering in a new era for Pinoy rock.
Two years later, the Eraserheads would release the album “Cutterpillow,” which also had the iconic “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” The album is the third bestselling OPM album in the Philippines of all time, second only to Jose Mari Chan who claimed the top two spots.
READ: OPM as the soundtrack of PH theater: A look into the trend of jukebox musicals
“Gento by SB19 and “Pantropiko” by Bini
The rise of P-pop has been slow and steady in the years leading up to 2023, but with P-pop kings SB19 and the nation’s girl group Bini releasing their now-viral hits “Gento” and “Pantropiko” respectively, our own brand of idol groups are breaking into the global music scene.
“Gento” is a pop and hip-hop track known best for its wordplay, talking about empowerment and success through gold mining metaphors. The song also became viral globally through the TikTok dance challenge, where various international artists also joined in. The song also marked SB19’s debut on the popular Japanese YouTube channel The First Take, becoming the first Filipino group to ever guest on the show.
Bini’s “Pantropiko” also reached viral status, thanks to its summery vibe, energetic choreography, and eye-catching visuals. The song launched the girl group to international acclaim, and followed by their subsequent successful singles, have also landed them spots on international programs.
READ: The making of Bini’s ‘Pantropiko’
“Manila” by Hotdog
“Manila” is just one of the many songs that define the musical period (or genre) called Manila Sound. Popular around the mid-1970s, Manila Sound was marked by a fusion of soft rock, folk pop, disco, funk, jazz, and soul.
Although the genre wasn’t necessarily named after this song, Hotdog’s “Manila” is undeniably one of its best examples. The song is from the point of view of a Filipino who has just come back home from working abroad, comparing the sights and sounds of the US and Australia to the irreplaceable grit and personality of vibrant Manila.
With lines like “Manila, Manila, I keep coming back to Manila,” and “Hinahanap-hanap kita, Manila,” the song has transcended the ’70s and has cemented itself as an anthem for every balikbayan.
“Tell the World of His Love” by Jamie Rivera
The song was released in 1995 and was composed by Trina Belamide. It was chosen by the Vatican among the top entries from a songwriting contest as the theme song of the World Youth Day Philippines, which also coincided with the second visit of Pope John Paul II. This was significant because it was the first time for an Asian country to host the global event.
“Tell the World of His Love” has since been a significant song for the Filipino Catholic community, being used for many major religious events since. It has also been used during the arrival of Pope Francis in the country, where the Pope also joined Filipinos in singing along.
“Anak” by Freddie Aguilar and “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” by Hajji Alejandro, written by Ryan Cayabyab
Speaking of competitions and world-firsts, the 1978 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (Metropop) saw the creation of many iconic songs in OPM, two of which are “Anak” and “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.”
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab composed “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” to showcase the qualities of Filipino music that make it worth listening to. The song, interpreted by Hajji Alejandro, won first place in the competition.
It was Cayabyab’s first time writing a pop song, at that time having worked more on the arrangement, musical direction, and accompaniment side of music. Alejandro and Cayabyab also competed at the International Seoul Song Festival in Korea with this song. They bagged the grand prize, making it the first Filipino song to ever win the highest prize in an international song competition.
Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” was also an entry at the 1978 Metropop. This deeply personal and remorseful song made it to the finals, and eventually became an international hit. The song has since been translated into 51 languages.
Both “Anak” and “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” were also among the songs that ushered in the new generation of OPM post-Manila Sound of the ’70s.
“Rosas” by Nica del Rosario, featuring Gab Pangilinan
The 2022 elections may just have been the most emotionally volatile one yet, and as any artist may understand, high emotions also mean rich inspiration for art. The election campaign of then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo, which she also described as a people’s campaign, spurred countless songs and jingles alike. Some jingles have even surprisingly topped music charts.
Among these is “Rosas,” a heartrending campaign tune composed by Nica del Rosario (also known for composing Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” and Bini’s “Karera”), which, while not a jingle, became the emotional soundtrack of the period.
In interviews, del Rosario said the song was created out of the surge of emotions she had about the upcoming elections. The song was written from an imagined point of view of Robredo, with lyrics containing sentiments she would like to say to Filipinos.
The song topped local iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify charts in the days leading to and after the elections.