Find a popular song [either in English or Filipino] with lines or stanzas that illustrates

nationalism. Research on the history of the song [songwriter] and relate the theme [of
nationalism] to the songwriter based on his or her background.

Bayan Ko (My Dear Country)

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas

Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak

Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad

Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag

At sa kanyang yumi at ganda

Dayuhan ay nahalina

Bayan ko, binihag ka

Nasadlak sa dusa

Ibon mang may layang lumipad

Kulungin mo at umiiyak

Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag

Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas

Pilipinas kong minumutya

Pugad ng luha at dalita

Aking adhika

Makita kang sakdal laya

Ibon mang may layang lumipad

Kulungin mo at umiiyak

Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag

Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas

Pilipinas kong minumutya

Pugad ng luha at dalita

Aking adhika

Makita kang sakdal laya

 The poem is one of the most recognizable patriotic songs of the Philippines and it is the
second unofficial national anthem of the Philippines. It focuses on how the Philippines was
taken over because of its beauty and splendor and how it will soon gain back its freedom, for
the people and the country. Bayan Ko was composed in 1928 when Filipinos were campaigning
for independence from America under the leadership of President Manuel Quezon. Enmeshed
in the song are the yearnings of a people colonized for over 400 years, first as a colony of Spain
and then as a colony of the United States.
It was written in Spanish by the Revolutionary general José Candido Alejandrino y
Magdangal he was a Philippine Republican Army General during the Philippine revolution and
Philippine-American War. He writes this poem to express his eagerness to be free and have our
freedom for being colonized for so many years. It is translated into Tagalog some three decades
later by the poet José Corazón de Jesús and melody by Constancio de Guzman. Jose Corazon de
Guzman is also known by his pen name Huseng Batute, was a Filipino poet who used Tagalog
poetry to express the Filipinos' desire for independence during the American occupation of the
Philippines, a period that lasted from 1901 to 1946. He is best known for being the lyricist of
the Filipino song Bayan Ko. It was originally written as a poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus in 1929,
and set to music by Constancio de Guzman. Written as a protest song during the American
occupation of the Philippines, it is often sung in protest rallies and demonstrations throughout
Philippine history.