The veteran OPM singer-songwriter sings about hope after a storm
"Oh, Pilipinas, handa ka na ba kay Leni?" That’s the question original Pinoy music (OPM) legend Ogie Alcasid asks Filipinos with a new song he created in support of Vice President Leni Robredo's campaign for the presidency for the 2022 elections. Released as a music video on Jan. 2, this new song is simply titled “Handa Ka Na Ba Kay Leni.”
Ogie's video opens with footage from the aftermath of Typhoon Odette. Gray scenes of debris-laden streets and ruined infrastructure set a somber mood for the video. Yet, as all seems to fade into black, it transitions to a shot of Ogie in a booth, wearing a pink shirt, as he continues to sing. This time, however, the tune takes a livelier tone, as the OPM icon's singing is accompanied by clips of ordinary Pinoys in various displays of the spirit of Bayanihan in action.
Throughout the song, Ogie sings of optimism that, even through all the hardships we have endured in the past years, there is a bright future that awaits but only if we choose to work for it. As the song goes:
“‘Di kaya
Ito na ang hudyat
Upang tayo ay kumilos?
Lunod na ang ating bayan
Sa tindi ng mga unos
Bumangon na tayo...”
The music video, which as of writing has more than 36,000 views on YouTube and over 30,000 reactions on Facebook, was also shared by the Office of the Vice President's official social media channel. Through a post on Facebook, VP Robredo expressed her gratitude for the creators of the song and the video. "Maraming salamat sa OPM legend na si Ogie Alcasid sa pag-aalay ng kanyang awit, titik, at musika para makapagbigay inspirasyon sa ating kampanya! (Many thanks to OPM legend Ogie Alcasid for lending us his song, lyrics, and music to give inspiration to our campaign),” VP Robredo says in her post.
"Ang kanyang awiting, ‘Handa Ka Na Ba Kay Leni’ ay nakakapagpaalab ng puso ng pag-asa at pagkakaisa, lubhang mahalaga para sa sabay-sabay nating paghahanda patungo sa inaasam na bagong simula (His song, ‘Handa Ka Na Ba Kay Leni?' enlivens the spirit and hope of unity, which is crucial in our continuing efforts to be ready for that much-anticipated new beginning),” the post continues. "Isang natatanging pagsaludo para sa nag-iisang (Here’s to the one and only) Ultimate Singer-Songwriter!”
“Handa Ka Na Ba Kay Leni” was written and composed by Ogie Alcasid, with additional rap lyrics by Mito Fabie. Together with Ogie, the song was produced by Alvi Siongco and Gino Cruz.
Watch “Handa Ka Na Ba Kay Leni” below.