Released April 1986 Label WEA, Riva Records | Length 4:27 | |
A-side Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo B-side Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas Format 7", 12", cassette single Similar Magkaisa, Pilipinas Kong Mahal, Bayan Ko | ||
"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" (lit. "The Gift of the Filipinos to the World") is a 1986 song recorded in Filipino by a supergroup composed of 15 Filipino artists. The song became the anthem of the bloodless People Power Revolution. The lyrics of the song are inscribed on a wall of Our Lady of EDSA Shrine, the center of the revolution.
Contents
Background
Songwriter Jim Paredes wrote the song in three minutes, with no revisions, using the success of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution as his inspiration. After finishing the composition, he sent it to WEA Records, who at that time is compiling an album of patriotic songs. The song eventually became its carrier single. The song was then performed by artists who became actively involved during the People Power Revolution. An English version of this song was also made entitled "A New and Better Way - The People's Anthem", released in Australia and the United Kingdom. Both the original and English version were released as singles, with the proceeds to be donated for the rehabilitation of DZRV, which its main transmitter was destroyed by Marcos' troops while covering the events of the EDSA Revolution.
The English version of the single includes a letter from Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.
A music video was also made for the song made by director Mike de Leon. Kris Aquino, then a teenager, also appeared in the music video, together with the artists that rendered the song. National heroes since the Spanish period like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, prominent anti-Marcos figures and scenes from the revolution were also featured. The video was removed by censors shortly after it aired in television as the video containing crowds battering pictures of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos might be "too strong" to the public. The music video reappeared decades after through the Filipino music channel Myx and was uploaded in YouTube under Jim Paredes' account.
Featured artists
2011 revival
As part of the 25th Anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, broadcast television network ABS-CBN created a cover version of the song, with slightly different arrangements.
Artists
In order of appearance
In popular culture
During the funeral of Corazon Aquino, the song was performed by several artists that includes the APO Hiking Society, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Piolo Pascual, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Martin Nievera, Erik Santos, Jed Madela and Dulce.