Catriona Gray, Noel Cabangon, Juris, Keiko Necesario and more artists join forces in the star-studded “Bagani” music video

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Several Filipino artists from all over the country have banded together to record “Bagani,” the official theme song to celebrate the 500th year anniversary of Victory of Mactan and the Philippines’ role in the first circumnavigation of the world.

The music video, which is officially out today, Friday at 8:00 PM, features an all-star performance from an ensemble put together by PhilPop and The National Quincentennial Committee, with the help of Jude Gitamondoc of Kadasig and Jeremy Sarmiento of MinPop.

All-star ensemble

Lending their participation to the special project are award-winning singers, acclaimed musicians, Warner Music Philippines artists, and PhilPop finalists: Noel Cabangon, Bayang Barrios, Catriona Gray, Juris, Adelle Yu, Joemark Tumala, Jetz Tacsanan, Archie Udaundo, Chud Festejo, Ferdinand Aragon, Anthony Paeldo, Paul Pablo, Reanne Borela, Noah Alejandre, Ian Dumaplin, Angelic Mateo, Abegail Esteban, Kurt Fick, Jewel Villaflores, Kulas Basilonia, Jacky Chang, Kenneth Corvera, Nicole Asensio, Kier Franco, Nino Mas, Fernando Silva, Ava Canaceli, Giarell Apolona, Michael Cadoy, Enrique Gallardo, Novie Grace Jayme, Kenneth Reodica, Ed Miraflor Jr., Roel Rostata, Pio Dumayas, Mikhail Cansicio, Mark Armas, Michael Catarina, Juliet Bahala, Paolo Campos, Keiko Necesario, Rox Omilda, Zsaris, Dulce, Leanne Mamonong, Naara Acueza, JJ Pimpinio, Anthony Castillo, Sud Ballacer, Bayang Barrios and Nyoy Volante.

Aside from the appearances of more than 50 artists, who took their time recording and filming themselves in makeshift studios remotely or at home, the music video helmed by Josh Olasiman, also includes various footage from Medical City c/o Kevin Tristan A. Espiritu, and documentary films such as Jose Rizal sa Landas ng Paglaya and May Pagasa ang Bantayog ni Andres Bonifacio.

Commissioned by The National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) to give its audience a feeling of hope and optimism, the song was written and composed by Roel Rostata, arranged and produced by Jungee Marcelo, with Visayan lyrics in the chorus by Jude Gitamondoc.

Honoring solidarity and bayanihan spirit during tough times

According to its chief songwriter, Roel Rostata the track was written as a response to the growing challenges that the Filipino people are experiencing during the time of the pandemic, and how important it is repurpose music as a vessel to champion resiliency and bayanihan spirit. “There's no other way to rise above and make it through this pandemic other than working together,” Rostata shares in a statement. “Bagani encourages the listeners to turn fears and doubts to hope and healing, to manifest dreams into reality and to embrace victory. The song also encourages listeners to be part of the solution despite all the negativity and problems.”

“Bagani” is a by-product of PhilPop Bootcamp 2019, an initiative that aims to empower the next generations of contemporary Filipino singer-songwriters. PhilPop Executive Director Dinah Remolacio shares that the song was recorded for the Quincentennial celebration, but its inherent meaning has expanded into honoring our collective optimism and teamwork to rebuild the nation, and bring to light stories of optimism and resilience. “Eventually, the song became larger than what it was originally intended for,” Remolacio shares. “It triggers a strong commitment to the past and our future. It evokes strength and at the same time— solidarity.”

As part of the multiple virtual celebrations commemorating an important milestone in Philippine and global history, the music video marks the partnership between NQC and PhilPop to mark the 500th anniversary of  Victory of Mactan in 2021.

Under the partnership agreement, the country’s premier songwriting competition serves as the screening committee responsible for picking the official theme song, as well as co-producing its official music video with Warner Music Philippines.

The official music video of “Bagani” is out now.

Teacher-singer Jayson Dedal shows acting chops in BL-themed music video

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The official music video for public school teacher-turned-artist Jayson Dedal’s debut single “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” is a moving piece of short film that takes a page from popular Asian boys’ love (BL) series.

Jayson Dedal and Alfio Schmidt are an odd couple with incredible chemistry on the BL-themed video for Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin

The video showcases Dedal’s acting chops opposite his love interest played by top model Alfio Schmidt. We see Dedal go through the moments of unfeigned but unrequited intimacy, as he falls deeper and deeper into Schmidt’s charms.

Throughout these memorable moments like baking cakes or playing billiards, Schmidt gives Dedal every reason to believe in love. He acts as the partner his friend has wanted for a long time—someone who’s gentle, patient and, above all, present. And despite the singer’s fears of a lack of reciprocity and being out of his league, Dedal tries to muster up whatever courage he can to express his feelings. But as many real love stories go, the story doesn’t end in ‘happily ever after.’

The crushing plot twist is something best left unspoiled to viewers, but what can be said is how evidently Dedal regrets missing his chance to accept the love in front of him. And it’s clear Dedal’s somber crooning draws not only from the singer’s pain but also from the earthshaking emotion often displayed in BL series.

“For the video, we drew a lot of inspiration from BL shows” said Dedal. “Any fan of BL will tell you that it’s the one genre that really captures the essence of the selfless giving and painful pining often involved in loving someone.”

Dedal isn’t alone, as the BL genre has quickly become one of the fastest-rising television genres out there. And for good reason, as it’s a genre made exclusively to tell the stories of gay men, and by extension, the entire LGBT community.

This advocacy involving LGBT issues is something that Insight Music President and Chief Creative Head Chris Cahilig feels very strongly about, and it’s what he and the “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” crew really wanted to express in the music video.

“This is perhaps the first time that an openly gay Filipino balladeer will have a music video as unapologetic as this,” says Cahilig. “We hope that with the music video of ‘Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin,’ we can provide an opening for greater LGBT representation in OPM, and spawn discussions about what it means to tell stories from that perspective.”

“The song and the video make it clear that people of any gender identity or sexual orientation experience the exact same feelings cisgender and heterosexual people do,” adds Cahilig. “The LGBT community is just as—if not more—capable of telling stories of love, loss, and grief. That’s what we wanted to put on display with this song and music video.”

 Jayson Dedal finally takes his talents from public school teaching to the music business with his first single BILYON-BILYONG PANALANGIN.

Jayson Dedal and Alfio Schmidt take a sweet selfie in Insight Music’s latest MV

Jayson Dedal gazes into his love interest (Alfio Schmidt) like an abyss of unrequited longing

A lovestruck Jayson Dedal pulls out his acting chops in his emotional new music video

The music video for Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin was written and directed by Ken Laviste of Arkos Digital. It is available to stream on YouTube via Insight Music’s official page. The song is also widely available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms.