Magkaisa

Last updated
"Magkaisa"
Song by Virna Lisa
from the album Magkaisa - A Tribute to the Filipino People
Released1986
RecordedMarch 1, 1986
Studio Tasha Recording Studio
Length5:27
Label Ivory Records
Songwriter(s) Tito Sotto

"Magkaisa" (Tagalog for "unite") is a 1986 Filipino pop song performed by Virna Lisa (Virna Lisa Loberiza) and composed by Tito Sotto, [1] [2] which is notable for being one of three iconic songs associated with the People Power Revolution of 1986 - the other two being "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" [3] and the traditional kundiman anthem "Bayan Ko". [4]

Contents

Writing and arrangement

Sotto wrote the song over the course of three days, with the assistance of arranger Homer Flores and record producer Ernie Dela Peña. The back-up singers singing alongside Virna Lisa were Babsie Molina, Bambi Bonus and Vic Sotto. [5]

Recording

Virna Lisa recorded the song at the Tasha Recording Studio in Libis on the evening of March 1, 1986.

Reception

The song was greatly popular with the masses[ vague ] in the days after the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos and his eventual departure to Hawaii on 25 February 1986. [6]

It was then a big hit when the song played on radio stations and the music video associated with it aired on major television stations in the country, a month after the Revolution.

Significant covers

Sarah Geronimo sang the song on August 5, 2009, during the funeral of Cory Aquino. [7] This version of the song is included on the album Paalam, Maraming Salamat Pres. Aquino: A Memorial Tribute Soundtrack by Star Music.

Regine Velasquez sang her version of the song during the Tatak EDSA 25 concert that commemorated the 25th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Power Revolution</span> Series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines in 1986 that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos

The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral fraud. The nonviolent revolution led to the departure of Ferdinand Marcos, the end of his 20-year dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juan Ponce Enrile</span> President of the Senate of the Philippines from 2008 to 2013

Juan Valentin Furagganan Ponce Enrile Sr.,, also referred to by his initials JPE, is a Filipino politician and lawyer known for his role in the administration of Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos; his role in the failed coup that helped hasten the 1986 People Power Revolution and the ouster of Marcos; and his tenure in the Philippine legislature in the years after the revolution. Enrile has served four terms in the Senate, in a total of twenty-two years, he holds the third longest-tenure in the history of the upper chamber. In 2022, at the age of 98, he returned to government office as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel in the administration of President Bongbong Marcos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regine Velasquez</span> Filipino singer and actress (born 1970)

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez is a Filipino singer and actress. She is considered one of the most influential figures in Philippine popular culture and is known for her vocal range and belting technique. She had unorthodox voice training during her childhood, where she was immersed neck-deep in the sea. Velasquez rose to prominence after winning the television talent show Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984 and the Asia Pacific Singing Contest in 1989. Under the name Chona, she signed a recording contract with OctoArts International in 1986 and released the single "Love Me Again", which was commercially unsuccessful. The following year, she adopted the stage name Regine Velasquez for her debut studio album, Regine (1987), under the guidance of Viva Records executive Vic del Rosario and producer Ronnie Henares. She explored Manila sound and kundiman genres on her second and third studio albums, Nineteen 90 (1990) and Tagala Talaga (1991).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regine Velasquez discography</span> Filipino artist discography

Filipino singer Regine Velasquez has released seventeen studio albums, eight soundtrack albums, one live album, fifteen compilation albums, five extended plays (EPs), ninety-three singles, and twenty-three promotional singles. In 1984, she won the television talent competition Ang Bagong Kampeon and was signed to a record deal with OctoArts International. She released her first single, "Love Me Again", in 1986, under the name Chona. After adopting the stage name Regine Velasquez, she signed with Viva Records in 1987 and released her debut studio album, Regine, that spawned three singles—"Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang", "Urong Sulong", and "Isang Lahi". In December 1989, she represented the Philippines at the Asia-Pacific Singing Contest, performing the songs "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", and won the competition. Her subsequent studio albums Nineteen 90 (1989) and Tagala Talaga (1991) featured the singles "Narito Ako" and "Buhay Ng Buhay Ko", respectively. A cover version of "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" with Paul Anka became the lead single for her fourth studio album, Reason Enough, which was released in July 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">APO Hiking Society</span> Filipino musical group

The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as APO Hiking Society, or simply APO, are a Filipino musical group, that comprised Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. Today, the group consists of only Paredes and Garrovillo as a duo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayan Ko</span> Patriotic song of the Philippines

"Bayan Ko" is one of the most recognizable patriotic songs of the Philippines. It was written in Spanish by the revolutionary general José Alejandrino in light of the Philippine–American War and subsequent American occupation, and translated into Tagalog some three decades later by the poet José Corazón de Jesús.

Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio, better known as Louie Ignacio is a Filipino television director, film director, music video director, and painter. He studied AB Mass Communication in Centro Escolar University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogie Alcasid</span> Filipino singer-songwriter (born 1967)

Herminio Jose Lualhati "Ogie" Alcasid Jr. is a Filipino singer-songwriter and television personality. He is best known for his songwriting and collaboration with other musical artists. He has appeared in films and television shows, notably as a cast member of Tropang Trumpo (1994–1995) and Bubble Gang (1995–2013), and a host and main performer of SOP (1997–2010) and ASAP Natin 'To (2017–present). He is currently married to Regine Velasquez, with whom he has one child.

Katrina "Trina" Belamide is a Filipino songwriter and record producer. According to the Manila Times she has written songs for most of the Philippines' top recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Paredes</span> Filipino musician (born 1951)

Jaime Ramon Misa Paredes, better known simply as Jim Paredes, is a Filipino singer, composer, television host, writer and actor. He is known as one of the members of popular musical trio APO Hiking Society along with Danny Javier and Boboy Garovillo. Regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He is the son of Ester Paredes Jimenez, a staunch martial law activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo</span> 1986 song

"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo", released in English as "A New and Better Way—The People's Anthem," is a 1986 song recorded in Filipino by a supergroup composed of 15 Filipino artists. The song serves to commemorate the bloodless People Power Revolution which ended President Ferdinand Marcos's 20-year rule, as well as a benefit single for the rehabilitation of Radio Veritas, a public affairs radio station instrumental in the revolution. The lyrics of the song are inscribed on a wall of Our Lady of EDSA Shrine, the center of the revolution.

Ricardo Wright Herrero, better known by his stage name Subas Herrero, was a Filipino actor, comedian and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angeline Quinto</span> Filipino singer and actress (born 1989)

Angeline Quinto is a Filipino singer, actress, and television personality. Known for her vocal range and soulful singing style, Quinto's music has garnered critical praise for its lyrical content and themes of love, heartbreak, and empowerment. It has been featured in the soundtracks of films and television series in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Himig Handog</span> Philippine songwriting and music video competition

Himig Handog is a multimedia songwriting and music video competition in the Philippines based in Quezon City. The competition is operated by ABS-CBN Corporation and its music subsidiary Star Music. The contest ran from 2000 to 2003 and was later revived in 2013. The theme of the contest has been love songs since 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bantayog ng mga Bayani</span> Memorial dedicated to the victims and heroes of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship

The Bantayog ng mga Bayani, sometimes simply referred to as the Bantayog, is a monument, museum, and historical research center in Quezon City, Philippines, which honors the martyrs and heroes of the struggle against the dictatorship of 10th President Ferdinand Marcos.

This timeline of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines covers three periods of Philippine history in which Marcos wielded political control. First, it covers the period of Marcos' first two terms—1965 to 1969 and 1969 to 1972—under the 1935 Constitution, as well as the antecedent events which brought Marcos to political power. Second, it covers the period in which Proclamation 1081, which put the entirety of the Philippines under Martial Law, was in force—from September 1972 to January 1981. Lastly, it covers the entirety of the period described as the "Fourth Republic," where the Philippines was governed by the 1973 Marcos Constitution after the formal lifting of Proclamation No. 1081.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reigning Still</span> 2004 concert by Regine Velasquez

Reigning Still was an arena concert by Filipino entertainer Regine Velasquez, held on December 3 and 4, 2004, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. It was part of Velasquez's campaign to support her twelfth studio album, Covers, Vol. 1 (2004). The set list featured songs predominantly taken from the album, and various covers of pop hits. It was exclusively promoted by GMA Network, with Smart Communications as sponsor. Velasquez served as the stage director for the show, which featured Andrew E., Sarah Geronimo, Sheryn Regis, Kyla, Francis Magalona, and Ariel Rivera as guest acts. Velasquez was nominated for Best Female Major Concert Act at the 18th Aliw Awards for the production.

The different forms and trends of protest music against the Marcos dictatorship mostly first became prominent during the period now known as the First Quarter Storm, and continued until Ferdinand Marcos was deposed during the 1986 People Power revolution; some of the trends continued beyond this period either in commemoration of the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship, or in opposition to the political return of the Marcos family to a prominent place in Philippine politics.

Ernesto Dela Peña was a Filipino composer and lyricist.

References

  1. Ager, Maila (24 February 2014). "Edsa I song 'Magkaisa' still very relevant today, says Sotto". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  2. Geronimo, Gee (24 February 2016). "Martial law speak: Words that defined the anti-Marcos movement". Rappler. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  3. "Dancing to the Tune of the Revolution". Official Gazette of the Government of the Philippines. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017.
  4. Saban, Bea (2017). "Martial Law and Music". www.himig.com.ph. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  5. San Diego, Bayani (21 February 2016). "'Magkaisa:' It's the song, not the singer". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  6. "The voice behind 'Magkaisa'". Manila Bulletin. 8 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009.
  7. "Sarah Geronimo-Magkaisa". YouTube. August 23, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2016.[ dead YouTube link ]
  8. "MAGKAISA - Regine Velasquez (Tatak EDSA 25 Concert, 02.25.2011)". YouTube. February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2016.[ dead YouTube link ]