Wikipedia:Bayan Ko

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The following article is a local copy of the Wikipedia article at Bayan Ko. The text is licensed under CC-BY-SA and was copied on June 2, 2010 at 22:10.

For the 1984 film, see Bayan Ko: My Own Country.

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.

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) 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.

In recent history

On November 7, 1988, the a capella version by Josephine Roberto featuring the cast of That's Entertainment for the launching of GMA-7's 777-foot tower used for Towering Power: A Musical Dedication.

On August 1, 2009, the quarant'ore vigil originally intended for the healing of former President Corazon Aquino, culminated in a noon Mass held at the EDSA Shrine; this was instead held to mourn her death in the early hours of that morning. Bayan Ko was sung by the congregation as the recessional song.

On August 3, 2009, it was also sung by the crowds during the transfer of Pres. Aquino's remains from La Salle Green Hills to the Manila Cathedral.^[2]

On August 5, 2009, at the final requiem mass for President Corazon Aquino, Lea Salonga sang Bayan Ko as the recessional song right before Aquino's cortege was brought out of the Manila Cathedral.^[3] Outside, it was played by the military band as the truck carrying the former President's coffin headed out. A final rendition was sung along with several religious hymns as Aquino's remains were sealed in the tomb beside that 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.^[4] 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. ^[5]

Lyrics

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas,
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak.
Pag-ibig ang sa kaniyang 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
With love in her palms
She offered beauty and splendour.
And for her refinement and beauty,
Foreigners were enticed.
Country mine, 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?
Philippines mine that I treasure,
Cradle of my tears and poverty,
My aspiration is,
To see you truly free!