PRESIDENTIAL spokesperson Salvador Panelo was wrong when he said that there is no song that embodies the whole Philippines.
“Tama si Mayor Sara. We need to have a song that will reflect not only Manila but the entire Philippines. Wala pa eh,” he told reporters when asked about the complaint of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of the use of the song, “Manila, Manila” by the Hotdog band in the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games last Saturday.
For the information of Panelo, there is a long list of Original Pilipino Music that embraces the Filipino people. Right off, there’s Yoyoy Villame’s playful “Philippine Geography.”
It starts with, “Philippines has a great history; According to our geography” and he proceeds to enumerate Philippine provinces and major cities.
Davao, of course, is mentioned in the song as part of the “Land of Promise.”
Now let’s go to the land of promise
The land of Mindanao
Bukidnon, Zamboanga, Misamis
Mambajao, Butuan, Agusan, Surigao
Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis
And the three provinces of Davao
Davao Sur, Oriental, del Norte
Cotabato, Lanao, Sulu, TawiTawi
Maybe director Floy Quintos would consider this for the closing ceremonies on Dec. 11 to address the presidential daughter’s issue?
Singer Leah Navarro suggested her song “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit.”
In a tweet, she said: “LOL. Pardon the self-promotion, but they could’ve used my song, ‘Isang Mundo, Isang Awit’ instead. Je t’aime, teamo, I love you, Watashiwaanata-o aishtemasu, Ich liebe dich, iniibig kita, Gua ai di, Paano mang sabihin, ang mundo’y turuan natin, tanging lunas ang pagibig.”
But it’s farfetched that organizers will consider it because Navarro’s political color is blazing yellow.
Besides, there is no dearth of songs that represents The Filipino from supporters of President Duterte. In fact, Dennis Garcia of the Hotdog Band is a Duterte believer. “Manila, Manila” was a hit song in the 70’s when Duterte was not yet a national political figure.
Dennis, who co-wrote “Manila” with his late brother, Rene, wrote on his Facebook page, “Rene and I created ‘Manila’ not thinking of ourselves as Tagalogs, Bisayans, or Ilokanos but as Filipinos missing the Philippines.”
Panelo might like to suggest the theme song of Willie Revillame’s show, Wowowee.
Sa luzon, sa Visayas, at sa Mindanao
Saan man sulok ng mundo
Makakasama nyo
Magbibigay saya sabawat isa
At maghahatid ng kakaibang ligaya
Or the noontime show Eat Bulaga where Duterte ally Senate President Tito Sotto was one of the original performers.
Eat Bulaga!
Sina Tito, Vic, and Joey
Barkada’y dumarami
Silang lahat ay nagbibigay
Ligaya sa ating buhay!
Buong bansa ay nagkakaisa
Sa tuwa’t saya na aming dala
Isang libo’t, isang tuwa!
Buong bansa… Eat Bulaga!
Other suggestions are welcome.
