Various artists launch ‘Tayo ang Tutugon’ music album highlighting key issues for the upcoming polls

Music and the arts have always been a part of the political scene. It will be no different this time as various artists, singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists under the newly-formed collective Musicians for Democracy (MD) produced a collaborative music album, “Tayo ang Tutugon!” which they will launch on November 10, six months before the May 2022 polls.

The album tackles a wide range of issues including the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, worsening poverty, the failed government response to the Covid-19 pandemic, burgeoning corruption, the proliferation of political dynasties, the West Philippine Sea issue, and the destruction of the environment.

Artists featured in the album include Nathan Abella and Rey Abella, Skarlet Brown, JL Burgos, Pendong Jr. and Chat Aban, Gising Diwa Collective, Rom Dongeto, Village Idiots, Santy Leonardo, Bong Ramilo, Talahib People’s Music, Sam Valdecantos, Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera, Kat Darling and Marben Romero, and MD Core Group.

“MD believes that these are important and urgent issues that should be discussed by candidates and the electorate during the election campaign. We wish to lend our voices and our talents towards ensuring that these issues continue to be highlighted,” said MD Coordinator and Child Rights Network Convenor Romeo Dongeto.

“The goal of this collaborative work is simple: amid all the noise and muckraking dominating the election landscape, we must up the ante and make our collective calls reverberate – we want lasting change,” said iChange Coordinator Rio Magpayo, whose group also helped in the production of the album.

“Through the new songs, we want to weave a narrative of hope, a melody of unity that we hope can help our people appreciate the upcoming elections not as a moment of grandstanding and empty promises like before, but as a very important occasion for people to exercise their right to choose deserving leaders in government,” said We Effect Executive Director Jessica Soto.

“With the burgeoning disinformation campaign that has long been exposed as government-instigated, it is time for the people to take back the narrative. The May 2022 polls is a crucial event that will affect the country’s future in the face of (the) worst economic downturn since World War II, failed government pandemic response, and widespread corruption and inefficiencies in government. We cannot lose sight during this crucial moment,” Soto added.

The online concert will be live on November 10 at 6:30pm on the Facebook pages of Musicians for Democracy, We Effect Philippines, Child Rights Network Philippines, and Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development.

The concert will be followed at 8:30pm by Kwentuhang Eleksyon on Zoom. This is an after-concert meet with the artists and musicians behind the music album to discuss different aspects of the election.

MD vows not only to get involved in the upcoming polls through the album’s launch but play an active role in the election campaign by creating content for social movements and supporting patriotic, competent, and progressive candidates.

This event is being brought to us by We Effect, iChange: Vote for Our Future at Musicians for Democracy, together with Child Rights Network, Altermidya, Bata Muna, Center for Filipino Youth Volunteers, Cine Silangan, CONCERN, DAFISCO, Dela Salle Santiago Zobel School, GERC, iDefend, IPCSED, MakeSense, National Society for Young Leaders, Pakisama, Patamaba, Pilipinas, PKSK, Sikhay EDUK, Silay Mata People’s Theatre, Trias, and UP Alyansa.