Social Relevance and Filipino Music
Bahay by Gary Granada. Ang Bayan Kong Sinilangan (Timog Cotabato) by Asin. Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo by the APO Hiking Society.
These songs are by different artists and have different themes, but one thing ties them together. They are all socially relevant. Political messages perhaps. Snapshots of their times and the perspectives of their composers and singers. They and others like them paint images of the Philipines that make us proud or cringe, as the case may be.
Since Filipinos are such a musical people, it’s only natural and inevitable that our emotions and experiences are reflected in our songs. I grew up listening to songs like these, in addition to the usual pop love songs that permeate the airwaves.
That was then. I have been out of touch with the local music scene since. I do know the teeny boppers are still popular. But are there still socially relevant music being made and aired? The last one that I remember is Paraiso, originally composed by Ryan Cayabyab for Smokey Mountain. That was years ago. I’m sure I’ve heard a more recent one but I just don’t remember it now.
Do you have a socially relevant original Filipino song that struck a chord in you?
4 Comments
With an industry that cares more for profit than social relevance, will any socially-aware artist ever survive? Tsk.
Truth is, there are some Filipino/Christian songs that are thought-provoking, but maybe blame it on the popular FM stations (or the masses’ mediocrity, whatever)…
Still, it would really be great if people would really make socially-inspiring songs again – even if there aren’t any corporation-sponsored (and promoting) contests around…
I love this because no matter who you are or what race you are everyone loves music.
[...] Social relevance and the Filipino music [...]
its better to create a socially related music and done it unconditionally, with a little sacrifce on the part of the artist.