By DOM GALEON
If you saw it as it streamed for the first time on the evening of March 26, you probably recognized the tune. It’s the same tune from the 2019 Southeast Asian Games theme song composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. But instead of hearing the lyrics for “We Win As One,” you’d hear the words “we heal as one.”
This version, with title and lyrics by Floy Quintos and produced by Eloisa Matias for Universal Records Philippines, features a number of OPM stars across TV stations and across generations. Here, they sing as one for every Filipino.
“Handog namin itong kantang to para sa lahat ng Filipino. Tayo’y dapat magkaisa at magtulungan para malampasan po natin ang pagsubok na ito (We offer this song for all Filipinos. Let us be one and help one another overcome this challange),” says Mr. C at the start of the music video. “Stay home. Tara, sabay-sabay nating awitin…”
Each of the OPM icons featured in this music video recorded the song in their own homes. Frank Lloyd Mamaril put the videos together following the musical arrangement of Jimmy Antiporda.
Here are the singers in this “We Heal As One” music video—OPM stars, musical theater performers—in order of appearance: Iñigo Pascual, Julie Anne San Jose, Jed Madela, Pops Fernandez, Mark Bautista, Jamie Rivera, Rita Daniela, Martin Nievera, KZ Tandingan, Aicelle Santos, Isay Alvarez, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Ogie Alcasid, Michael Williams, Robert Seña, Alden Richards, Ken Chan, Christian Bautista, Paolo Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo, Lani Misalucha, Gary Valenciano, Apl.de.Ap, and Lea Salonga.
In one voice, they call on Filipinos to be united in overcoming the challenges brought by the Covid-19 outbreak, honoring those who continue to dedicate their lives to help patients, and remembering those who have lost theirs in the ongoing struggle.
This isn’t the first time Mr. C has called together Filipino musicians to help those at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19. He also started a series of online performances called “Bayanihan Musikahan,” a fundraiser to help raise awareness in these challenging times.