Dahil Sa Iyo
Encyclopedia
"Dahil Sa Iyo" is a song by Miguel "Mike" Velarde, Jr., It was written in 1938 for the movie Bituing Marikit
and sung by the "King of the Philippine Movies" Rogelio de la Rosa
.
One of the most popular examples of the genre of the Kundiman
, this "classic Filipino love song" with original Tagalog lyrics has been translated into different languages.
Representing an earlier era remembered in nostalgia, it is one of the most popular songs in Tagalog, and a favorite in the Philippines
as well as among Filipino communities in Honolulu, on the American West Coast, and in places like Virginia Beach, Virginia
. Its popularity in the Philippines is such that some think it ought to replace the current national anthem
, and that it should be played as such at a possible future state visit by American president Barack Obama
to the Philippines. It has been covered many times and is a standard on the repertoire of many artists performing Filipino romantic and popular music. Dahil Sa Iyo's canonical status as a classic Filipino love song was again confirmed by its inclusion on the 2004 hit compilation album Great Filipino Love Songs.
The song is a personal favorite of Imelda Marcos
, the wife of former Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos
, who sang it frequently during her abortive campaign for the 1998 presidency, and performed it as late as July 2000 to wounded soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City
. In 2008 the song was still associated with her in Manila: "Suddenly, the heads of Peninsula Hotel lobby guests swiveled. Imelda Marcos had walked in. Without missing a beat, hotel musicians struck up 'Dahil sa Iyo.'"
The song is known in the United States because of the English-Filipino with lyrics by Tom Spinosa and Mike Velarde Jr. It was recorded by Cora and Santos Beloy, and released in 1964 on Tri-World Records. The original composer, Miguel Velarde, Jr., said: "Sometime in 1960 a famous US singer who made a personal appearance in Manila presented me a contract seeking authority to record 'Dahil Sa Iyo' in the States. The five figure offer was fabulous but I turned it down - simply because she wanted to change the title to an American title. I couldn't, and wouldn't sell the identity we are trying hard to establish. The merits of the song is its identity.'"
This song was famously performed by Nat "King" Cole
in the Araneta colisseum in Manila in 1961.
Bituing Marikit
Bituing Marikit is the first full-length film produced by Sampaguita Pictures, released in 1938. Its stars were the "Singing Sweetheart of the Philippines" Elsa Oria and "King of the Philippine Movies" Rogelio de la Rosa.-Cast:*Rogelio de la Rosa...
and sung by the "King of the Philippine Movies" Rogelio de la Rosa
Rogelio de la Rosa
Regidor de la Rosa , better known as Rogelio de la Rosa, was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century. He is also remembered for his statesmanship, in particular his accomplishments as a diplomat...
.
One of the most popular examples of the genre of the Kundiman
Kundiman
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals...
, this "classic Filipino love song" with original Tagalog lyrics has been translated into different languages.
Representing an earlier era remembered in nostalgia, it is one of the most popular songs in Tagalog, and a favorite in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
as well as among Filipino communities in Honolulu, on the American West Coast, and in places like Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay...
. Its popularity in the Philippines is such that some think it ought to replace the current national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
, and that it should be played as such at a possible future state visit by American president Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to the Philippines. It has been covered many times and is a standard on the repertoire of many artists performing Filipino romantic and popular music. Dahil Sa Iyo's canonical status as a classic Filipino love song was again confirmed by its inclusion on the 2004 hit compilation album Great Filipino Love Songs.
The song is a personal favorite of Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
, the wife of former Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
, who sang it frequently during her abortive campaign for the 1998 presidency, and performed it as late as July 2000 to wounded soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
. In 2008 the song was still associated with her in Manila: "Suddenly, the heads of Peninsula Hotel lobby guests swiveled. Imelda Marcos had walked in. Without missing a beat, hotel musicians struck up 'Dahil sa Iyo.'"
The song is known in the United States because of the English-Filipino with lyrics by Tom Spinosa and Mike Velarde Jr. It was recorded by Cora and Santos Beloy, and released in 1964 on Tri-World Records. The original composer, Miguel Velarde, Jr., said: "Sometime in 1960 a famous US singer who made a personal appearance in Manila presented me a contract seeking authority to record 'Dahil Sa Iyo' in the States. The five figure offer was fabulous but I turned it down - simply because she wanted to change the title to an American title. I couldn't, and wouldn't sell the identity we are trying hard to establish. The merits of the song is its identity.'"
This song was famously performed by Nat "King" Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
in the Araneta colisseum in Manila in 1961.
External links
- "Dahil Sa Iyo" sung by the Mabuhay SingersMabuhay SingersThe Mabuhay Singers is a group of singers from the Philippines that was formed in 1958 and some the members became soloist like Cely Bautista, Raye Lucero, Naning Alba and many others....
.