Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo

"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" (lit. '"The Gift of the Filipinos to the World"'), 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 be 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.

"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo"
Single by Various artists
A-side"Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo"
B-side"Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas"
ReleasedApril 1986
Length4:27
LabelWEA, Riva Records
Songwriter(s)Jim Paredes
Music video
"Handog Ng Pilipino Sa Mundo" on YouTube

Background
Jim Paredes composed the song in 1986.

Ramon Chuaying, head of WEA Records (now Universal Records), commissioned singer-songwriter Jim Paredes of APO Hiking Society to write a song inspired by the People Power Revolution[1] for the company's upcoming compilation album of patriotic songs. Paredes wrote the song in three minutes, with no revisions. The song eventually became its carrier single.[2][3] 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.[1]

The English version of the single includes a letter from Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.[1]

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.[3] 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.[4] The music video reappeared decades after through the Filipino music channel Myx and was uploaded in YouTube under Jim Paredes' account.

The lyrics of "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo" as seen in a wall at EDSA Shrine.
Kuh Ledesma is one of the original singers of the song.

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
Gary Valenciano along with other ABS-CBN singers made a cover version for the 25th anniversary of EDSA Revolution.

In order of appearance

During the funeral of Corazon Aquino, the song was performed by several artists that include 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.[5]

In 2016, the song figured in nationwide protests in the aftermath of the burial of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.[6]

See also

References
  1. WEA Release Aid Manila's Radio Veritas, Glenn Baker, Billboard, September 20, 1986
  2. EDSA 20: Isang Larawan [Documentary] (2006). Philippines: Philippine Daily Inquirer and Associated Broadcasting Company.
  3. "Trivia: Handog ng Pilipino Sa Mundo by Jim Paredes". Archived from the original on 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  4. Reviving the Spirit of Revolution - Songs of EDSA, Christi-Anne Castro, Oxford Scholarship
  5. "Chan sings Ninoy's poem for Cory anew". ABS-CBN News. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
  6. "UP's SAMASA alumni lead flash mob at MRT against Marcos burial". GMA. 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2020-03-09.
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