30 iconic Filipino songs (2023)

MANILA, Philippines – To celebrate 30 great years of The Philippine STAR, I have come up with this list of 30 Iconic Filipino Songs. It was quite a breeze putting this together as there are so many unforgettable songs to choose from. But then it had to be 30 so I save for one, which I am sure you will also think should make the list. I limited myself to only the popular works. No classical here. I am sorry if I had to miss out on your favorites. Hopefully, they will make it to the 40 listing 10 years from now. Here goes:

1. Bayan Ko, 1928. The kundiman is considered the unofficial national anthem of the Philippines. It was composed for the zarzuela Walang Sugat with music by Constancio de Guzman and words by the great poet Jose Corazon de Jesus. It was first sung by National Artist Atang de la Rama. It’s a moving call for freedom from oppression directed against invaders and oppressors and helped bring down a dictatorship.

2. Dahil Sa Iyo, 1938. Composed by Mike Velarde with lyrics by Dominador Santiago for a movie titled Bituing Marikit. It was the first time when a sophisticated melody that belonged to a foreign nightclub was combined with the romantic sentiments of lovelorn Filipinos. The song became a huge hit, was recorded by many artists here and in other countries. It was so popular that it was not unusual for Pinoys to walk into nightspots abroad and hear Dahil Sa Iyo.

3. Ugoy Ng Duyan, 1956, by Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio. How fitting it is that the two musicians who composed this beautiful lullaby were later decIared as National Artists. It is expressive of the feelings of overseas workers who desire to once more rest on the bosom of their Motherland. This later became a popular choral piece for the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

4. Hahabol-habol, 1958, composed by Clod Delfino, words by Robin Vega. It was recorded by Bobby Gonzales and used in the soundtrack of the movie Lo’Waist Gang. This was the first Filipino song patterned after the then emerging rock n’ roll style and showed that Filipinos could keep up with changing music forms, doing it in Tagalog, too.

5. Pitong Gatang, 1960 composed by Tony Maiquez and Levi Celerio. Written for a movie that starred Fernando Poe Jr. where it was performed by Fred Panopio. The song proved that Pinoys can yodel as well as their Swiss or American counterparts. To this day, it evokes images of camaraderie and good times spent while istambay sa kanto.

6. Sapagka’t Kami Ay Tao Lamang, 1963, composed by Tony Maiquez and Levi Celerio. This was recorded by Ric Manrique Jr. for the movie of the same title. It is a simple danza but the theme perpetuated the love triangle in Filipino movies and literature. It also came to be a most popular excuse for philanderers who unluckily got caught.

7. A Million Thanks To You, 1965, composed by Alice Doria Gamilla and recorded by Pilita Corrales. Can you think of anything more iconic that the image of Pilita with her trademark backbend and singing “The day you came along with your song, my heart began to sing dear, a million thanks to you, my love”? But this song is more than that, it was one of the first Filipino compositions in English set to a Western structure to become a hit.

8. Kapantay Ay Langit, 1971, words and music by George Canseco popularized by Pilita Corrales. It will be easy to come up with 30 iconic songs written by Canseco but this is certainly the most important. It is uniquely structured, no verse has the same melody. It marked the arrival of Canseco as major songwriter. It introduced the Spanish/Cebuano speaking Pilita as an interpreter of Tagalog songs and began the most successful period of her career. Most of all, I see Kapantay as the transition song from the kundimans, danzas and boleros of Abelardo, De Guzman and Velarde into the new Filipino pop song.

9. Magellan, 1972, composed and recorded by Yoyoy Villame. Back then a lot of people asked, who on Earth could think that way, write that way, sing that way and most of all look at Magellan and Lapu-Lapu that way? The answer was then jeepney driver Yoyoy, whose strange way of thinking and thick Visayan accent brought about this big-selling tune. And Philippine history was suddenly so much fun.

10. Ang Himig Natin, 1973, with music by Mike Hanopol, Joey Smith and Wally Gonzales with lyrics by Joey Smith and recorded by the Juan de la Cruz Band. The now iconic Joey “Pepe” Smith was back home, fresh from a stint in Japan. One day, while backstage waiting for their cues during a gig, he started strumming his guitar and singing “Ang himig natin/ ang iyong awitin…” and the first Filipino rock song with Tagalog lyrics and set to a Western rock melody was born. That casual moment was the beginning of Pinoy rock.

11. Pers Lab, 1974, written by Dennis Garcia and Ramon Torralba recorded by the Hotdog. There are other songs by Hotdog that can be rightly called iconic but Pers Lab was its first and it sparked a revolution. The use of a mix of English and Tagalog lyrics, which was sung by true-blue colegiala Ella del Rosario became the birth of the Manila Sound.

12. Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka Sa Piling Ng Iba), 1974, composed by George Canseco and recorded by Imelda Papin. For some strange reason, the title Bakit is never mentioned in the song, what people all these years remember are the words of the refrain, “Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba, at kung ang langit mo ay ang pag-ibig niya…” The song introduced the jukebox queen and popularized the “mistress” song for those females in extra-marital relationships.

13. The Way We Were, composed by Marvin Hamlish, lyrics by Allan and Marilyn Bergman. So what is this song from a Barbra Streisand movie doing in this list? This is because somewhere in 1975, a new singer named Rico J. Puno changed some of the lyrics and made it his own. When he sang “Namamasyal pa sa Luneta ng walang pera…” he evoked images of dates on the cheap in Luneta that a lot of Filipinos can very much relate to until today.

14. Bonggahan, 1977, composed by Gary Perez and Sampaguita. Gay lingo made it to the mainstream and introduced what conservative Pinoy types thought would never happen in the Philippines, a female rocker who takes life on her own terms with the arrival of this rock tune. And Sampaguita, a model who was a deadringer for Cher, made the assimilation of the fun against all odds message so much easier.

15. Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika, 1978, words and music by Ryan Cayabyab. This was the grand prize winner of the First Metropop Music Festival where it was performed by Hajji Alejandro. It also won the grand prix in the First Annual Seoul International Song Festival. It has since then become the quintessential Filipino festival song, the type considered most likely to win the prizes. Cayabyab has written better songs over the years but Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika and that image of Hajji in his barong and his little salakot endures to this day.

16. Anak, 1978, composed and recorded by Freddie Aguilar. Anak lost in the first Metropop but it turned out to be a bigger winner. The folk ballad about a parent’s grief over a child’s wayward ways also touched the hearts of listeners in Europe and Asia, and became the first recording by a Filipino artist to break into the foreign market. Aside from that, Anak was covered by artists in various languages abroad, and fuelled the folk-rock trend in local music.

17. Tayo’y Mga Pinoy, 1978, music and lyrics by Heber Bartolome. It was one of the finalists in the first Metropop. The melody is folksy and reminiscent of the kundiman. But the lyrics, which call attention to the Pinoy’s love for things foreign, pack a mighty punch. “Tayo’y mga Pinoy, tayo’y hindi Kano, huwag kang mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango.”

18. Handog, 1978, written and recorded by Florante. Filipino entertainers often speak of their Handog moments. It is when they turn to their fans to say thank you. The original of the song was already a big hit for Florante when it was covered by Nora Aunor at the Film Academy Awards for the traditional Parade of Stars. It has since then become the “theme” of the annual event.

19. Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko, 1978, by Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, popularized by VST&Co, which was a band formed by then A&R man, Tito Sotto. The intent was just to cash in on the disco fever trend led by the Bee Gees. But against all expectations, VST&Co stayed and stayed and stayed. To this day, there is still no Filipino tune that can get people on the dance floor as quickly as Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko.

20. Pangarap Na Bituin, 21. Bituing Walang Ningning 22. Sana’y Wala Na’ng Wakas, The Sharon Trilogy, 1984 to 1987, composed by Willy Cruz. Sharon Cuneta popularized so many songs. But I think the most iconic of those are these which came about separately in a series of movies but which are now considered a set of three because of their road to stardom themes.

23. Manila by Dennis and Rene Garcia and recorded by Hotdog. After 10 hits-filled years in the music business, the Hotdog declared its retirement in 1984 with this paean to the City of Manila. No other song about the city has been able to capture its endearing attributes the way Manila does. “Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila, ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga, mga jeepney mong nagliliparan, mga babae mong nag-gagandahan, take me back to your arms, Manila…”

24. Farewell, 1984, words and music by Odette Quesada, recorded by Raymond Lauchengco in 1984. It was used in the soundtrack of the movie Bagets. Since then, no graduation exercise can be considered complete without Farewell playing during the rites or somewhere in the background. And to this day, those graduates recall those youthful times listening to this song. “Farewell to you my friend, I hope this isn’t the end…”

25. Hindi Kita Malilimutan, 1984, composed by Manoling Francisco, S.J. and recorded by Basil Valdez. Although first categorized as liturgical and used initially in religious services, the song went on to become a huge hit. It won the Awit Award for Record of the Year in 1985 and became the first of many so-called liturgical songs that also became pop successes.

26. Beautiful Girl, composed and performed by Jose Mari Chan. Jose Mari’s music career dates back to the ‘60s and every decade since has seen him with memorable works. Beautiful Girl came about in 1989 and was part of his album Constant Change. It is actually very simple, just a song for a beautiful girl, but its success transcended that of his other songs with multi-platinum sales here and in Malaysia and Indonesia.

27. Christmas In Our Hearts, 1990, with words and music by Jose Mari Chan. Why is the song iconic? Because as somebody once put it, come the Holidays and JMC could rightly be thinking, “Kontrolado ko lahat ng speakers sa mall.” And he will be right. The duet by Jose Mari and his daughter Lisa is so suffused with the Christmas spirit that it has become the best harbinger of frenetic shopping. Why, those malls have even taken to playing Christmas In Our Hearts early to get the Season started. Keep watch, I am sure you will find yourself listening to it very soon.

28. Rap became a Filipino music form with the arrival of Mga Kababayan Ko by actor-turned-rapper Francis Magalona with arrangement by Jimmy Antiporda in 1990. Well, Andrew E’s Humanap Ka Ng Panget was released ahead by a few months but Panget was all crazy fun. It was FrancisM’s track from his Yo! album that called the youth to adopt positive values and to instill pride in the Filipino heritage.

29. Pare Ko, 1993, by the Eraserheads. The arrival of the song by a new group was like a burst of adrenalin for alternative bands in the country. Pare Ko was fun; it makes you think of hanging out with friends. It was irreverent. Adults found the words “’Tang *na” shocking. The melody echoed the early Beatles and who can resist that. Best of all, the popularity of the song gave the band scene a very successful second wind.

30. Tell The World Of His Love, composed by Trina Belamide and performed by Raquel Mangaliag and Jeff Arcilla. Inspired by the words of John 20:21, Trina entered a contest searching for a theme song for the World Youth Day in 1995. The event was to be held in Manila and would include the visit of Pope John Paul II. Trina’s song was chosen winner by the Vatican. I do not know if it is ever performed in World Youth Day activities in other countries, but after hearing it sung several times during the visit of Pope Francis last year, one cannot help but feel pride in a Filipino song that befits a Pope.