"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]
| "Magkaisa" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Virna Lisa | |
| from the album Magkaisa - A Tribute to the Filipino People | |
| Released | 1986 |
| Recorded | March 1, 1986 |
| Studio | Tasha Recording Studio |
| Length | 5:27 |
| Label | Ivory Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Tito Sotto |
Writing and arrangement
editSotto 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
editVirna Lisa recorded the song at the Tasha Recording Studio in Libis on the evening of March 1, 1986.
Reception
editThe 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
editSarah 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
edit- "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo", another song related to the 1986 Revolution.
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Geronimo, Gee (24 February 2016). "Martial law speak: Words that defined the anti-Marcos movement". Rappler. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Saban, Bea (2017). "Martial Law and Music". www.himig.com.ph. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ San Diego, Bayani (21 February 2016). "'Magkaisa:' It's the song, not the singer". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "The voice behind 'Magkaisa'". Manila Bulletin. 8 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009.
- ^ "Sarah Geronimo-Magkaisa". YouTube. August 23, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2016.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "MAGKAISA - Regine Velasquez (Tatak EDSA 25 Concert, 02.25.2011)". YouTube. February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 25, 2016.[dead YouTube link]