Bayan Ko
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"Bayan Ko" (usually translated as "My Country"; ) is a Filipino patriotic song. It was written in
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...
by the
revolutionary A revolutionary is a person who either participates in, or advocates for, a revolution. The term ''revolutionary'' can also be used as an adjective to describe something producing a major and sudden impact on society. Definition The term—bot ...
general José Alejandrino in light of the
Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War, known alternatively as the Philippine Insurrection, Filipino–American War, or Tagalog Insurgency, emerged following the conclusion of the Spanish–American War in December 1898 when the United States annexed th ...
and subsequent American occupation, and translated into Tagalog some three decades later by the poet José Corazón de Jesús. The song, which is a ''
kundiman Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino ballads, predominantly with romantic themes. The lyrics of the kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundima ...
'', is often considered the unofficial second
national anthem A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European ...
of the Philippines, and is sometimes sung by
Overseas Filipinos An overseas Filipino () is a person of full or partial Filipino origin who trace their ancestry back to the Philippines but are living and working outside of the country. This term generally applies to both people of Filipino ancestry and cit ...
groups after the ''
Lupang Hinirang "" ('Chosen Land'), originally titled in Spanish as "" ('Philippine National March'), and also commonly and informally known by its incipit "" ('Beloved Country'), is the national anthem of the Philippines. Its music was composed in 1898 by Jul ...
'' or by itself. It is sometimes assumed to be a
folk music Folk music is a music genre that includes #Traditional folk music, traditional folk music and the Contemporary folk music, contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be ca ...
because of its popularity, and due to the nature of its lyrics it has been used as a
protest song A protest song is a song that is associated with a movement for protest and social change and hence part of the broader category of ''topical'' songs (or songs connected to current events). It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre. ...
by different political groups at various points in Philippine history.


History


Origin

The Spanish lyrics of ''Bayan Ko'' were originally written for the
Severino Reyes Severino Reyes y Rivera (February 11, 1861 – September 15, 1942) was a Filipino people, Filipino writer and playwright. He used the pen name Lola Basyang. He was nicknamed "Don Binoy". Early life and education Severino Reyes was born on Febr ...
''
zarzuela () is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but some propose it may derive from the name o ...
'', '' Walang Sugat'' ("no wound"). Attributed to the '' propagandista'', General José Alejandrino, the song expressed opposition to the ongoing American Occupation. The popular and mainly used 1929 Tagalog version is attributed to José Corazón de Jesús, and the music to Constancio de Guzmán.


Protest song during the Marcos dictatorship

''Bayan Ko'' regained cult popularity during the Marcos dictatorship, with protesters singing their own version in protests. After
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...
Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, dictator, and Kleptocracy, kleptocrat who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled the c ...
imposed
Martial Law Martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers. Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties ...
in 1972, the song was deemed seditious. Public performances of the song were banned, with violators facing potential arrest and detention. People were emboldened to sing it at the 1983 funeral of
Senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...
Benigno Aquino Jr. Benigno "Ninoy" Simeón Aquino Jr., (, ; November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983) was a Filipino politician who served as a senator of the Philippines (1967–1972) and governor of the province of Tarlac (1963–1967). Aquino was the husband ...
and the ensuing 1986
People Power Revolution The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, were a series of popular Demonstration (people), demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a ...
, where
Freddie Aguilar Ferdinand "Freddie" Pascual Aguilar (; February 5, 1953 – May 27, 2025), also known by his Muslim name Abdul Farid, was a Filipino musician regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was best known for his i ...
led crowds in singing.


Post-EDSA People Power (1986–present)

Since the 1986 Revolution that toppled the Marcos government and ushered in the Fifth Republic, the song has been associated with anti-government protests. In February 1987, a cover by pop singer JoAnne Lorenzana was launched as part of a nationalistic campaign by
PLDT PLDT, Inc., formerly known as the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (), is a Philippine telecommunications, internet and digital service company. PLDT is one of the Philippine's major telecommunications providers, along with Globe Te ...
, and was aired on radio and television for the first anniversary of the Revolution. On 1 August 2009, ''Bayan Ko'' was sung as the recessional of the noon
Mass Mass is an Intrinsic and extrinsic properties, intrinsic property of a physical body, body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the physical quantity, quantity of matter in a body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physi ...
at
EDSA Shrine The National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, also known as Mary, Queen of Peace Shrine, Our Lady of Peace Quasi-Parish and commonly known as the EDSA Shrine, is a small church building, church of the Archdiocese of Manila located at the inte ...
, ending the '' quarant'ore'' for Corazón Aquino. The service, originally intended to pray for the former leader's recovery, was instead done to mourn her sudden death early that morning. Crowds sang it again during the transfer of her remains from La Salle Green Hills to
Manila Cathedral The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Manila Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic basilica and cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Manila. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of ...
on 3 August for the
lying in state Lying in state is the tradition in which the body of a deceased official, such as a head of state, is placed in a state building, either outside or inside a coffin, to allow the public to pay their respects. It traditionally takes place in a ...
. At the
Requiem A Requiem (Latin: ''rest'') or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead () or Mass of the dead (), is a Mass of the Catholic Church offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased, using a particular form of the Roman Missal. It is ...
Mass on 5 August,
Lea Salonga Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, ( ; born February 22, 1971) is a Filipino singer and actress. Known primarily for her work in theatre, she has starred in musicals on Broadway and in the West End. Her accolades include a Tony Award and a L ...
sang it as the recessional while Aquino's casket was borne out to the Cathedral steps. A military band repeated it as the flatbed
hearse A hearse () is a large vehicle, originally a horse carriage but later with the introduction of motor vehicles, a car, used to carry the body of a deceased person in a coffin to a funeral, wake, or graveside service. They range from deliberately ...
carrying the casket and
honor guard A guard of honour (Commonwealth English), honor guard (American English) or ceremonial guard, is a group of people, typically drawn from the military, appointed to perform ceremonial duties – for example, to receive or guard a head of state ...
began the hours-long funeral procession. Mourners sang ''Bayan Ko'' for the last time with several hymns as Aquino's casket was entombed beside her husband at the couple's mausoleum in
Parañaque Parañaque, officially the City of Parañaque (, ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of ...
. A month later, British all-male chorale group Libera sang ''Bayan Ko'' as an encore to their first Philippine tour in
Cebu Cebu ( ; ), officially the Province of Cebu (; ), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets. The coastal zone of Cebu is identified as a ...
and
Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
. Moved by the performance, the audience sporadically applauded throughout the group's performance. As part of their Summer Philippine tour the following year, Libera gave an encore performance on the hit noontime variety programme, '' Showtime'' on 14 April 2010. The University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers sang ''Bayan Ko'' during the inauguration of President
Benigno Aquino III Benigno Simeon Aquino III (; born Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III; February 8, 1960 – June 24, 2021), also known as Noynoy Aquino and colloquially as PNoy, was a Filipino politician who served as the 15th president of the Philippines ...
and
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Jejomar Binay on 30 June 2010 at the
Quirino Grandstand The Quirino Grandstand, formerly known as the Independence Grandstand, is a grandstand located at Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines. History Contrary to popular belief, the first Independence Grandstand was not originally located on the pres ...
. In 2016, the song figured in nationwide protests in the aftermath of the
burial Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objec ...
of former Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino lawyer, politician, dictator, and Kleptocracy, kleptocrat who served as the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled the c ...
at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB, , ) is a national cemetery within Fort Bonifacio (formerly Fort William McKinley) in Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig, Philippines. First established in May 1947 as a fitting resting place for Philippine mili ...
. The song has figured in nationwide protests against Philippine president
Rodrigo Duterte Rodrigo Roa Duterte (, ; born March 28, 1945) is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He is the first Philippine president from Mindanao, and is the oldest person to assum ...
in 2020. Following the death of President
Benigno Aquino III Benigno Simeon Aquino III (; born Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III; February 8, 1960 – June 24, 2021), also known as Noynoy Aquino and colloquially as PNoy, was a Filipino politician who served as the 15th president of the Philippines ...
on 24 June 2021, ''Bayan Ko'' was sung by mourners and supporters as the urn containing the late president's ashes was buried beside his parents at their mausoleum at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque.


Lyrics


Lyrical variations

The modern Filipino lyrics based on the original Tagalog translation omit all diacritics and contract ''kaniyang'' to ''kanyang''. The lines ''Pag-ibig ang sa kaniyang palad'' // ''nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag'' has minor variations which subtly change the meaning, revolving around the concept of ''palad'', literally "palm of the hand", but here closer to "fortune" or "fate" (cf. ''mapalad'' "fortunate", ''masamang palad'' "ill fortune", ''kapalaran'' "destiny", ''gulong ng palad'' "wheel of fortune"). ''Pag-ibig nasa kanyang palad,'' // ''Nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag'' as sung by
Freddie Aguilar Ferdinand "Freddie" Pascual Aguilar (; February 5, 1953 – May 27, 2025), also known by his Muslim name Abdul Farid, was a Filipino musician regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was best known for his i ...
, may be rendered as "With love, as per her fate, ''she'' (the country) offered up ''her'' beauty and splendor". ''Pag-ibig ko sa kanyang palad'' // ''nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag'' as sung by
Asin Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononyomusly as Asin, is an Indian former actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu language, Telugu films. Asin is a recipient of List of awards and nominations ...
and others, may be rendered as "''My'' love, as per her fate, offered up beauty and splendor ''to her''". Asin also replaces ''makita kang sakdal laya'' "to see you absolutely free" with ''makita kang malaya'' "to see you free".


Arrangements

While largely unchanged from the De Guzmán arrangement, the song has renditions by different composers and singers, notably by Lucio D. San Pedro ( National Artist for music),
Asin Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononyomusly as Asin, is an Indian former actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu language, Telugu films. Asin is a recipient of List of awards and nominations ...
, and
Freddie Aguilar Ferdinand "Freddie" Pascual Aguilar (; February 5, 1953 – May 27, 2025), also known by his Muslim name Abdul Farid, was a Filipino musician regarded as one of the pillars and icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). He was best known for his i ...
. 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 '' Pilipinas Kong Mahal'', another Filipino patriotic song. Asin's rendition included another de Jesús work, ''Kay Sarap Mabuhay Sa Sariling Bayan'', as a preluding stanza to the main lyrics. Sung mostly by Leftist groups, the stanza is included as the bridge replacing ''Pilipinas Kong Mahal'' with the prelude of ''Ang Bayan kong Hirang''. On 7 November 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 GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...
's 777-foot tower. Allison Opaon sang a Japanese version in
Yokohama is the List of cities in Japan, second-largest city in Japan by population as well as by area, and the country's most populous Municipalities of Japan, municipality. It is the capital and most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a popu ...
on 18 November 2006, during a concert-rally against political killings in the Philippines. This song has also been arranged by Robert Prizeman and sung by the vocal group Libera when touring the Philippines. Domino de Pio Teodosio (with guitar) sang a special arrangement of ''Bayan Ko'' by Reginald Vince M. Espíritu (oboe) and Anjo Inacay (cello) at the
John F. Kennedy School of Government The John F. Kennedy School of Government, commonly referred to as Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), is the school of public policy of Harvard University, a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard Kennedy School offers master's de ...
on 7 March 2011. The performance, which was for visiting world leaders during the school's International Week, was organized by the Philippine Caucus of the Kennedy School.


In popular culture

*In 1984, the song title was used for the movie ''Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim'' directed by
Lino Brocka Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. His filmography often addressed the co ...
. The song was
censored Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governmen ...
from the film as one of the conditions for the film's release in the Philippines. *In 2013, the song was used for a series of the same title.


References

{{Martial EDSA Asian anthems Filipino patriotic songs Songs in Tagalog