Songs to help relieve stress over election results
This year's election was a rollercoaster ride of emotions for many voters.
It was the time when hundreds of thousands of pink- and red-clad Filipinos gathered in separate groups to rally in streets and on social media for their own presidential bets. There were also candidate withdrawals, surprise partnerships, and alliances against one candidate on the sidelines.
The biggest blow, for many, was when former senator Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. began leading the presidential race, leaving behind his biggest rival Vice President Leni Robredo in second place.
Shortly after the unofficial, partial results were first released at 8:59 p.m. on May 9, netizens started airing their confusion, sadness, anger, and fear about the country's future under the new administration.
To help ease your mind over the polls and what lies ahead, PhilSTAR L!fe rounded up the best songs and playlists recommended by members of the Best of the Best Manila Facebook community that you can sing along to in the coming days.
Bawat Daan by Ebe Dancel
One way of coping with setbacks is taking the time to slow down and understand what is happening around you. Ebe Dancel's Bawat Daan can help ease your mind with its mellow melody paired with Dancel's gentle rich vocals.
The love song, which speaks of finally finding love amid life's uncertainties, was written by the former Sugarfree frontman for the 2013 stage musical "Sa Wakas." Nine years later, the popular song has become the anthem for many Robredo supporters, with the song's line "Nag-iisang tiyak sa isang libong duda" resonating to their aspirations for the presidential bet's administration.
Dancel is one with the "kakampinks" in doing so, as he himself is a vocal supporter of the vice president. He performed the song during the camp's rallies, including the "Paglaem: Palawan People's Rally" in Puerto Prinsesa last April 6.
"Over the years, parang nag-iba na 'yung mensahe ng awit na ito. Nakikita ko na siya sa placard, at sinasabi nilang si Ma'am Leni ang nag-iisang tiyak sa isang libong duda," Dancel said during the rally. He then dedicated his performance to the presidential candidate.
Get Up Stand Up by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Get Up Stand Up could get you right in the feels if this year's election results are urging you to further make a difference. As the title suggests, this song—complete with its chant-style chorus—urges listeners to stand up and fight for their rights.
According to a report by Rolling Stones, Get Up Stand Up was written by Bob Marley and The Wailers' Peter Tosh inspired by the former's trip to Haiti where he witnessed poverty firsthand.
As American rapper Chuck D puts it, this song serves as "a battle cry for survival." Several artists, from Bruce Springsteen to Rihanna, have made their own renditions of the song since it was released in 1973.
We’re Gonna Get There In The End by Noel Gallagher
Need a dose of optimism, especially in the next six years? Noel Gallagher's We're Gonna Get There In The End, can get you on track. This light and upbeat demo song encourages listeners to keep believing in their dreams and carry on in life.
"Don't fight the feeling. Don't stop believing in what you know 'cause you can't let go, my friend. We're gonna get there in the end," Gallagher sings in the chorus. It intends to keep the blues away during tough times, as the former Oasis guitarist released it on Dec. 30, 2020 —almost a year into the pandemic.
In his tweet announcing his new track, Gallagher said he wrote the song to tell everyone that "things can only get better from here" and that its lyrics are "quite apt for the times."
We are Bulletproof: the Eternal by BTS
Dubbed as BTS' letter to the ARMY, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal speaks about the K-pop megagroup's past struggles and how they were able to rise above them, with the love they've been receiving from the global fandom.
Similar to the song's message, this year's elections opened the Filipinos' eyes to the value of working together as one for the betterment of the country. Now that the election period has reached its end, We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal will remind you that then until now, it is only by hanging on to each other that you can brave the heaviest storms in life.
Best Bar Ever 2020_21 Spotify playlist
The elections may be over, but the Filipinos' fight for a better nation lives on. To inspire you to continue doing good for the nation despite the odds, BOTB members recommend listening to the Best Bar Ever 2020_21 playlist on Spotify.
As the name suggests, this playlist was initially created to ignite the passion and purpose of Filipino law students who took the bar exams in 2020 and 2021. It contains over 70 tracks, which were played before the oath-taking ceremonies in Mall of Asia Arena this year.
The list includes classic OPM hits centered on nationalism like Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran and Bayan Mong Sinilangan by Asin, as well as Choir ng Bayan's cover of Tatsulok. It also features nostalgic cult favorites like With A Smile and Huling El Bimbo by Eraseerheads, Tuloy Pa Rin by Noel Cabangon, Liwanag sa Dilim by Rivermaya, and Spongcola's Puso.
AURORA's A Different Kind of Human (Step 2) album
AURORA's 2019 album titled A Different Kind of Human (Step 2) features upbeat electro-pop tracks that will allow your mind to wander far away from this year's election fiasco.
It comprises lively songs like The River and Apple Tree, as well as mellow tracks like Daydreamer and Mothership. Its title track features a soft melody and lyrics reflecting AURORA's take on the afterlife. Through the song, the Norweigan singer-songwriter assures listeners that someday, they'll be taken to a special place where they can live in peace for eternity.