Originally intended as a children’s lullabye, “Saranggola ni Pepe” plays safe with its subtlety and cheery melody, which is understandable during a time where the government feeds on censorship and murders critics.

Performed by Celeste Legaspi and written by her husband Nonoy Gallardo during the Martial Law years, “matandang bingi” can be interpreted as the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Lines such as “pinilit umawit, ang naglaro’y isang ingit” and “hinuli ang ibon” allude to the oppression during the ’70s, particularly silencing the press and dissent. A challenge was posed in the ending of the song, “Sumusuway sa utos, puso’y sinusunod.”

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmQDt5HIuKg

https://nolisoli.ph/24540/classic-local-songs-actually-martial-law/

#SaysayNgKasaysayan #NowYouKnow #FactsFirstPH