| "Magkaisa" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Virna Lisa | |
| from the album Magkaisa - A Tribute to the Filipino People | |
| Released | 1986 |
| Recorded | March 1, 1986 |
| Studio | Tasha Recording Studio |
| Length | 5:27 |
| Label | Ivory Records |
| Songwriter | Tito Sotto |
"Magkaisa" (Tagalog for "unite") is a 1986Filipino pop song by Virna Lisa (real name: Virna Lisa Loberiza) and composed byTito Sotto.[1][2] It is notable for being one of three iconic songs of the 1986People Power Revolution, alongsideHandog ng Pilipino sa Mundo[3] and the patriotickundiman and protest anthem,Bayan Ko.[4]
Sotto wrote the song over the course of three days, together witharranger Homer Flores and record producerErnie dela Peña. Thebackup singers were Babsie Molina, Bambi Bonus, andVic Sotto.[5] Virna Lisa recorded the song at Tasha Recording Studio in Libis,Quezon City, on the evening of March 1, 1986, less than a week after the revolution.
The song was greatly popular with the masses[vague] following its release, mere days after the revolution oustedPresidentFerdinand Marcos and drove his family to exile inHawaiʻi on 25 February 1986.[6]
It was a big hit when played on radio stations, and its accompanyingmusic video aired on majortelevision stations nationwide a month after the revolution.
Sarah Geronimo sang the song on August 5, 2009 at thefuneral ofPresidentCorazon Aquino, who came to power after the toppling of the Marcos regime.[7] Geronimo’s version is on the albumPaalam, Maraming Salamat Pres. Aquino: A Memorial Tribute Soundtrack byStar Music.
Regine Velasquez sang her version in 2011 during theTatak EDSA 25 concert along White Plains Avenue, Quezon City, as part ofsilver jubilee celebrations for the revolution.[8]