Bayan Ko

For the 1984 film, seeThis Is My Country (film).For the Philippine TV series, seeBayan Ko (TV series).

"Bayan Ko"(usually translated as "My Country";Spanish:Nuestra patria,lit. 'Our Fatherland') is one of the most recognizable patriotic songs of thePhilippines.It was written inSpanishby therevolutionarygeneralJosé Alejandrinoin light of thePhilippine–American Warand subsequent American occupation, and translated intoTagalogsome three decades later by the poetJosé Corazón de Jesús.

The song, which is akundiman,is often considered the unofficial secondnational anthemof the Philippines, and is sometimes sung byOverseas Filipinosgroups after theLupang Hinirangor by itself. It is sometimes assumed to be afolk musicbecause of its popularity, and due to the nature of its lyrics it has been used as aprotest songby different political groups at various points inPhilippine history.

History

Origin

The Spanish lyrics ofBayan Kowere originally written for theSeverino Reyeszarzuela,Walang Sugat( "no wound" ). Attributed to thepropagandista,GeneralJosé Alejandrino,the song expressed opposition to the ongoingAmerican Occupation.The popular and mainly used 1929Tagalogversion is attributed toJosé Corazón de Jesús,and the music to Constancio de Guzmán.

Protest song during the Marcos dictatorship

Bayan Koregained cult popularity during theMarcos dictatorship,with protesters singing their own version in protests. AfterPresidentFerdinand MarcosimposedMartial Lawin 1972, the song was deemed seditious. Public performances of the song were banned, with violators facing potential arrest and detention. People were emboldened to sing it at the 1983 funeral ofSenatorBenigno Aquino Jr.and the ensuing 1986People Power Revolution,whereFreddie Aguilarled crowds in singing.

Post-EDSA People Power (1986–present)

Since the 1986 Revolution that toppled the Marcos government and ushered in theFifth Republic,the song has been associated with anti-government protests. In February 1987, a cover by pop singerJoAnne Lorenzanawas launched as part of a nationalistic campaign byPLDT,and was aired on radio and television for the first anniversary of the Revolution.

On 1 August 2009,Bayan Kowas sung as therecessionalof the noonMassatEDSA Shrine,ending thequarant'oreforCorazón Aquino.The service, originally intended to pray for the former leader's recovery, was instead done to mourn hersudden deathearly that morning. Crowds sang it again during the transfer of her remains fromLa Salle Green HillstoManila Cathedralon 3 August for thelying in state.At theRequiemMass on 5 August,Lea Salongasang it as the recessional while Aquino's casket was borne out to the Cathedral steps.A military band repeated it as the flatbedhearsecarrying the casket andhonor guardbegan the hours-long funeral procession. Mourners sangBayan Kofor the last time with several hymns as Aquino's casket was entombed beside her husband at the couple's mausoleum inParañaque.

A month later, British all-male chorale groupLiberasangBayan Koas anencoreto their first Philippine tour inCebuandManila.Moved by the performance, the audience sporadically applauded throughout the group's performance.As part of their Summer Philippine tour the following year, Libera gave an encore performance on the hit noontime variety programme,Showtimeon 14 April 2010.

TheUniversity of the Philippines Madrigal SingerssangBayan Koduring the inauguration of PresidentBenigno Aquino IIIandVice-presidentJejomar Binayon 30 June 2010 at theQuirino Grandstand.

In 2016, the song figured innationwide protestsin the aftermath of theburialof former Philippine PresidentFerdinand Marcosat theLibingan ng mga Bayani.The song has figured innationwide protestsagainst Philippine presidentRodrigo Dutertein 2020.

Following the death of PresidentBenigno Aquino IIIon 24 June 2021,Bayan Kowas sung by mourners and supporters as the urn containing the late president's ashes was buried beside his parents at their mausoleum at theManila Memorial Parkin Paranaque.

Lyrics

Tagaloglyrics: Bayan Ko	Englishtranslation: My Country	Spanishoriginal: Nuestra Patria
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas, lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak. Pag-ibig ang sa kaniyáng palad, nag-alay ng ganda’t dilág. At sa kaniyáng yumi at ganda, dayuhan ay nahalina. Bayan ko, binihag ka, nasadlak sa dusa. Ibon mang may layang lumipad, kulungin mo at umiiyak! Bayan pa kayáng sakdal-dilag, ang ‘di magnasang makaalpas? Pilipinas kong minumutya, pugad ng luhá ko’t dalita, aking adhika: makita kang sakdal laya!	LITERAL My country, the Philippines, land of gold and flowers, It was Love that, as per her fate, Offered up beauty and splendor. And with her refinement and beauty, The foreigner was enticed; My country, you were made captive, Mired in suffering. Even the bird that is free to fly, cage it and it cries! What more for the country most splendid, would she not yearn to break free? Philippines, which I treasure, Nest of my tears and suffering; My aspiration: to see you absolutely free! MELODIC Philippines, my country, my homeland Gold and flowers in her heart abound Blessings on her fate did love bestow Sweet beauty's grace and splendor's glow. How her charms so kind and tender Drove the stranger to desire her... Land of mine, in fetters kept, You suffered as we wept. Birds that freely claim the skies to fly When imprisoned mourn, protest and cry! How more deeply will a land most fair Yearn to break the chains of sad despair. Philippines, my life's sole burning fire, Cradle of my tears and misery... All that I desire To see you rise, forever free!	Nuestra Patria Filipina, cuya tierra es de oro y púrpura. Tantos tesoros guarda en su lar que tientan al hurtador. Y es por eso que elanglosajón, con vil traición la subyuga; Patria mía en prisión, sacúdete del traidor. Aún el ave libre en su volar, llora cuando en la jaula está, cuanto más nuestra Patria de amor al verse sin paz ni dignidad. Filipinas de mi corazón, tus hijos jamás permitirán que así te robe tu bienestar y libertad.

Lyrical variations

The modernFilipinolyrics based on the original Tagalog translation omit all diacritics and contractkaniyangtokanyang.

The linesPag-ibig ang sa kaniyang palad//nag-alay ng ganda’t dilaghas minor variations which subtly change the meaning, revolving around the concept ofpalad,literally "palm of the hand", but here closer to "fortune" or "fate" (cf.mapalad"fortunate",masamang palad"ill fortune",kapalaran"destiny",gulong ng palad"wheel of fortune" ).

Pag-ibig nasa kanyang palad,//Nag-alay ng ganda’t dilagas sung byFreddie Aguilar,may be rendered as "With love, as per her fate,she(the country) offered upherbeauty and splendor ".

Pag-ibig ko sa kanyang palad//nag-alay ng ganda’t dilagas sung byAsinand others, may be rendered as "Mylove, as per her fate, offered up beauty and splendorto her".

Asin also replacesmakita kang sakdal laya"to see you absolutely free" withmakita kang malaya"to see you free".

Arrangements

While largely unchanged from the De Guzmán arrangement, the song has renditions by different composers and singers, notably byLucio D. San Pedro(National Artistfor music),Asin,andFreddie Aguilar.Aguilar's cover is one of the most famous renditions of the song; an often overlooked detail is that the instrumental section of this version isPilipinas Kong Mahal,another Filipino patriotic song. Asin's rendition included another de Jesús work,Kay Sarap Mabuhay Sa Sariling Bayan,as a preluding stanza to the main lyrics. Sung mostly by Leftist groups, the stanza is included as the bridge replacingPilipinas Kong Mahalwith the prelude ofAng Bayan kong Hirang.

On 7 November 1988, ana capellaversion by Josephine Roberto, featuring the cast ofThat's Entertainment,was used for Towering Power: A Musical Dedication, which was for the launching ofGMA Network's 777-foot tower.

Allison Opaon sang aJapaneseversion inYokohamaon 18 November 2006, during a concert-rally against political killings in the Philippines.

This song has also been arranged by Robert Prizeman and sung by the vocal groupLiberawhen touring the Philippines.

Domino de Pio Teodosio (with guitar) sang a special arrangement ofBayan Koby Reginald Vince M. Espíritu (oboe) and Anjo Inacay (cello) at theJohn F. Kennedy School of Governmenton 7 March 2011. The performance, which was for visiting world leaders during the school's International Week, was organized by the Philippine Caucus of the Kennedy School.

In popular culture

• In 1984, the song title was used for the movieBayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalimdirected byLino Brocka.The song wascensoredfrom the film as one of the conditions for the film's release in the Philippines.
• In 2013, the song was used for a series of thesame title.