Mabuhi!

"Mabuhi!" (Cebuano for 'long live'; cf. "mabuhay"), also known as "Mabuhi Ka, Sugbuanon" ("Long Live, Cebuano"), is a song written and composed by Filipino musician Paul Melendez. Often played and danced to at festivals throughout the province of Cebu, including at the Sinulog Festival, it is the signature song of Gwendolyn Garcia,[1] the incumbent governor of Cebu.

Gwendolyn Garcia dancing to "Mabuhi!" at the 2020 Suroy Suroy Sugbo SMB (Santa Fe, Madridejos, Bantayan) Escapade in Madridejos on November 27, 2020

Composition and content

"Mabuhi!" has been described as having a lively, marching-band–like pace,[2] with the song's lyrics encouraging Cebuanos to enjoy life,[3] as well as to be proud of their heritage.[4]

Performance

As Garcia's signature song, "Mabuhi!" is regularly played at events where she is present,[5] particularly when the event is held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.[6] Playing the song is taken as an indication that she has arrived at a particular public event,[7] although it has been played to welcome other dignitaries. Notably, the song was played to welcome Agnes Magpale, a political rival who was serving as acting governor of Cebu while Garcia was suspended from the position, upon her arrival in San Fernando on January 23, 2013.[7] This changed during the governorship of Hilario Davide III, Magpale's successor and another political rival of Garcia, where the song was intermittently played but was not used to welcome guests or to open events.[8]

In addition to being used for welcoming dignitaries, "Mabuhi!" has also been more broadly used to welcome arriving visitors,[3] as well as being regularly performed by the Dramatics and Cultural Ensemble of the University of San Jose–Recoletos at local and international events.[9]

The song has an associated dance,[10] and Garcia has danced to the song during her governorship.[6] "Mabuhi!" has also been danced to using other festivals' dances,[7] although it has also been performed without the dance.[9][11]

Reception

Reception to "Mabuhi!" has been mixed, although Melendez, the song's composer, was recognized for his composition by Tomas Osmeña, the mayor of Cebu City, as an awardee at the city's 2007 Charter Day celebrations.[12]

Use and performance of the song has elicited more polarized reaction. Writing in The Freeman, columnist Archie Modequillo credits the song for changing his mother's attitude toward Garcia after she had seen her dance to it during an official event where she was in attendance, describing "Mabuhi!" as the anthem of her administration.[13] Garcia's dancing has also been generally received positively by the public.[6] On the other hand, broadcaster and journalist Leo Lastimosa, also writing in The Freeman, criticized Garcia's use of the song as indicating she has "Imelda syndrome".[14]

See also
  • "Sugbo", the provincial anthem of Cebu

References
  1. Gitgano, Flornisa M. (January 21, 2013). "Garcia dances Sinulog, returns to office". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. Seares, Pachico A. (February 20, 2019). "Seares: Freddie song for Ed pitches change theme". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  3. Salgado, Ritche T. (April 20, 2008). "A feast up north: A Culture and food infusion". The Freeman. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  4. Manto, Mylen (August 1, 2020). "MOALBOAL SARDINE RUN WITH GOV REOPENS TOWN'S TOURISM". Sugbo News. Provincial Information Office of Cebu. Retrieved January 22, 2021. Garcia ended her speech by quoting a few lines of the Mabuhi (Ka Sugbuanon) song which reflect Cebuanos' current situation: “Pagkadaghan na nga giagian ta, mga pagsulay og Covid 19 pa, apan kay ligdong kaman og may baruganan gipasigarbo mo pagka Sugbuanon mo.” [We've been through a lot, many challenges on top of COVID-19, but because you have integrity and are taking a stand, you should celebrate being a Cebuano.]
  5. Gitgano, Flornisa M. (January 25, 2013). "Magpale thanks LGUs for 'successful' Suroy". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  6. Mayol, Ador Vincent; Matus, Carmel Loise; Bongcac, Doris (January 21, 2013). "Gwen dances sinulog for 9th and last time as governor". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  7. Rubio, Gregg M. (January 25, 2013). "Magpale's Suroy-suroy kicks off". The Freeman. Retrieved January 22, 2021 – via PressReader.
  8. "With lesser expenses, Suroy Suroy Sugbo kicks off". The Freeman. January 23, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  9. Espina, Mila C. (July 27, 2020). "Espina: Celebration of life". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  10. Lozano, Ceres Melodina (June 26, 2011). "Over 250 guests join 'Suroy-Suroy Sugbo: Explore the Midwest'". Philippine Information Agency. Archived from the original on December 19, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021 – via Ugnayan.com.
  11. Lao, Garry B. (October 3, 2008). ""Halad sa Kabataan" in CICC on Oct. 18". The Freeman. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  12. Berondo, Wenna A. (March 3, 2007). "'Mabuhi' composer among city's Charter Day awardees". The Freeman. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  13. Modequillo, Archie (June 27, 2010). "Long Live The Gwen!". The Freeman. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  14. Lastimosa, Leo (February 22, 2007). "Lain niyang sakit" [She has another sickness]. The Freeman (in Cebuano). Retrieved January 22, 2021.
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