Bayan Ko
Encyclopedia
"Bayan Ko" 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.
and the ensuing People Power Revolution of 1986 where Freddie Aguilar
led the crowd to sing the song's chorus. 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.
as the vocals behind the nationalistic campaign of that year, remembering the first year anniversary of the People Power Revolution.
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.
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
.
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. 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.
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.
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas,
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak.
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kaniyang yumi at ganda,
Dayuhan ay nahalina.
Bayan ko, binihag ka,
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Koro:
Ibon mang may layang lumipad,
kulungin mo at umiiyak!
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag,
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas?
Pilipinas kong minumutya,
Pugad ng luha ko't dalita,
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
My country, the Philippines,
Land of gold and flowers.
Love is in her palms
Offering beauty and splendour.
And to her refinement and beauty,
Foreigners were enticed.
My Country, you were enslaved,
Mired in suffering.
Chorus:
Even birds that are free to fly,
Cage them and they shall cry!
How much more for country so beautiful,
Would She not yearn to be free?
My Philippines that I treasure,
Cradle of my tears and suffering,
My aspiration is,
To see you truly free!
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
that, because of its popularity, is sometimes assumed to be a folk song and the unofficial national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
of the Philippines. It was originally written as a poem by José Corazón de Jesús
José Corazón de Jesús
José Corazón de Jesús , also known by his pen name Huseng Batute, was a Filipino poet who used Tagalog poetry to express the Filipinos' desire for independence during the American occupation of the Philippines, a period that lasted from 1901 to 1946...
in 1929, and set to music by Constancio de Guzman.
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.Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the Marcos regime in the years leading to the imposition of martial law in the Philippines...
and the ensuing People Power Revolution of 1986 where Freddie Aguilar
Freddie Aguilar
Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar , better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution, and for his song "Anak", the best-selling...
led the crowd to sing the song's chorus. Due to the song being used against the Marcos dictatorship, the Martial Law
Martial Law in the Philippines
Martial law in the Philippines refers to the period of Philippine history where Philippine Presidents declare a proclamation to control unpacified places under the rule of Military, it is usually given when threatened by popular protests, or to crack down on the opposition...
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
Freddie Aguilar
Ferdinand Pascual Aguilar , better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution, and for his song "Anak", the best-selling...
. 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
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Pilipinas Kong Mahal is one of the most popular patriotic songs in the Philippines, others being Bayan Ko and Magkaisa ....
". 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.
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 LorenzanaJoAnne Lorenzana
JoAnne or Joanne Geraldine O. Lorenzana is a Filipina recording and performing artist, songwriter and former model, best known as an exponent of Original Pilipino Music in the Mid-1980s to the 1990s...
as the vocals behind the nationalistic campaign of that year, remembering the first year anniversary of the People Power Revolution.
On November 7, 1988, an a capella version by Josephine Roberto, featuring the cast of That's Entertainment
That's Entertainment (TV series)
That's Entertainment is a defunct Filipino youth-oriented talent and variety show aired by GMA Network.-History:The show was launched on January 6, 1986 by GMA Network and gained popularity almost overnight among young audiences who were on the lookout for idols of their own. Hosted by German...
, was used for Towering Power: A Musical Dedication, which was for the launching of GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
'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
EDSA Shrine
The Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA, or more popularly, the EDSA Shrine is a small church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila located at the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Quezon City...
originally intended to cap the quarant'ore
Forty Hours' Devotion
Forty Hours' Devotion, called Quarant' Ore or written in one word Quarantore, is a Roman Catholic exercise of devotion in which continuous prayer is made for forty hours before the Blessed Sacrament exposed...
vigil for the healing of former President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Corazon Aquino
Corazon Aquino
Maria Corazon Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold that office in Philippine history. She is best remembered for leading the 1986 People Power Revolution, which toppled Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines...
. The Mass was celebrated instead to mourn her death
Death and funeral of Corazon Aquino
The 11th President of the Philippines, Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, died on August 1, 2009 at the Makati Medical Center in Makati City, after having suffered from colorectal cancer for over a year. Her official cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest...
earlier that day.
On August 3, 2009, crowds during the transfer of President Aquino's remains from La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills is a private Catholic school exclusively for boys located on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is run by the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools- Philippine District. It was established in 1959 by the De La Salle Brothers led by the...
to the Manila Cathedral
Manila Cathedral
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is also known as Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception or Basilica Minore dela Inmaculada Concepcion or Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion A Roman Catholic church having a higher status of "Minor Basilica" with...
sang the song.
On August 5, 2009, at President Aquino's requiem
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
Mass, Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga
Lea Salonga-Chien is a mezzo-soprano singer and actress from the Philippines well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards.She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and...
delivered her own rendition of the song as the recessional prior to Aquino's casket was brought out of Manila Cathedral
Manila Cathedral
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is also known as Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception or Basilica Minore dela Inmaculada Concepcion or Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion A Roman Catholic church having a higher status of "Minor Basilica" with...
.
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
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
) and on October 28, 2009 (in Cebu
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
), Libera
Libera (music)
Libera is a non-profit all-boy English vocal group directed by Robert Prizeman. Most members come from the parish choir of St. Philip's, Norbury, in South London. The albums, tours and TV appearances they do as Libera are in addition to their regular singing as part of the full choir of men and...
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. 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.
On June 30, 2010, the Philippine Madrigal Singers sang "Bayan Ko" during the inauguration of Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
and Jejomar Binay
Jejomar Binay
Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan Binay, Sr. , also known as Jojo Binay or VPNay, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th Vice President of the Philippines since 2010. Previously, he was Mayor of Makati City from 1986 to 1998 and again from 2001 to 2010...
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.
Lyrics
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas,
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak.
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kaniyang yumi at ganda,
Dayuhan ay nahalina.
Bayan ko, binihag ka,
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Koro:
Ibon mang may layang lumipad,
kulungin mo at umiiyak!
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag,
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas?
Pilipinas kong minumutya,
Pugad ng luha ko't dalita,
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
Translation
My country, the Philippines,
Land of gold and flowers.
Love is in her palms
Offering beauty and splendour.
And to her refinement and beauty,
Foreigners were enticed.
My Country, you were enslaved,
Mired in suffering.
Chorus:
Even birds that are free to fly,
Cage them and they shall cry!
How much more for country so beautiful,
Would She not yearn to be free?
My Philippines that I treasure,
Cradle of my tears and suffering,
My aspiration is,
To see you truly free!