If there is one thing that makes the election a little less stressful whenever the campaign officially kicks off for both national and local elective positions is the campaign jingles that have been the soundtrack of elections for several decades.

From the dramatic to funny and cringe campaign tunes that are literally anywhere at this point, it has been a tradition for every electoral candidate to have their jingles busting off the streets, radio, television, and now on social media- labeled as a ‘good publicity stunt’ to boost their popularity.

While campaign jingles are not relatively mandatory for a candidate, one would go way beyond traditional campaign materials to win the coveted position in the government. And while these candidates may have a win or lost the election, they will forever be ‘legendary’ as people will recall them for the rhythm and lyrics of the tracks, giving us the major last song syndrome, Pinoys non-arguably sing along.

Today, as we wait for 2022 electoral candidates to get full max with their campaign jingles, here’s a rundown of the campaign jingles that made the past election fun and less stressful:

1. Eddie Ako (Bro. Eddie Villanueva)

Iconic lyrics: Sino bang may malasakit at pag-ibig sa bansa, Eddie ako!

First on the list is the Campaign Jingle of then-presidential aspirant Bro. Eddie Villanueva. Performed by legendary Filipino rapper, Gloc 9, the track aims to introduce self-change and a New Philippines (Bagong Pilipinas). From the lengthy lyrics, the track actually is full of ‘Eddie Ako’ lines that trigger past election memories from the 2004, 2010, and 2013 elections which Bro. Eddie ran for a government position.

2. Naging Mahirap (Manny Villar)

Iconic lyrics: Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?

Years have passed and this Manny Villar song remains ‘legendary’ and will forever be remembered especially whenever an election nears in the country. Have you tried being poor? It was the question raised during the year’s election. Giving off the image of being one of the poor and for the poor, this Manny Villar’s campaign jingle has indeed a separate fanbase.

3. Angara Na Sa Senado (Sonny Angara)

Iconic lyrics: Angara, Angara na ako, Angara, Angara na tayo, Angara, Angara ng Pinoy.

It is no surprise that politicians go for anything and anyone when it comes to elections. One great example is the ‘iconic’ participation of Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo in Sonny Angara’s campaign in 2007. Singing a refreshed version of her hit song “Sa Iyo”, Angara’s campaign stunt of going to different places and meeting different people looked like an MV for the 2003’s hit OPM Song.

4. Nandito Na Si Kiko (Kiko Pangilinan)

Iconic Lyrics: K mo sa senado? Kiko Pangilinan!

Kiko Pangilinan may now be one of those who aspire to lead the country as Vice President, but people wouldn’t forget how he served as a senator, especially with his iconic ‘Nandito na si Kiko’ campaign jingle inspired by the famous ‘Bagsakan’ song of Parokya ni Edgar featuring the legends Gloc 9 and Francis Magalona. With the upbeat tune and majorly vibing lyrics, the song is basically one of the most iconic election sounds Filipinos will never forget that Kiko himself is reusing for his 2022 VP bid.

5. Pichay, Itanim Sa Senado (Prospero Pichay)

Iconic lyrics: Oh, Pinoy ito na ang ating panahon. Oh, Pinoy, magmulat ng may bagong umaga.

If there is a series of cool and vibrant campaign jingles that ever existed, this track for then senatorial candidate Prospero Pichay Jr. perhaps topped the list during the 2007 elections. Rehashed from Bagong Umaga of 6cyclemind, the 3-minute-long campaign song even has people commenting “the song was very nice”, and “the medley is excellent”.

6. Mr. Palengke (Mar Roxas)

Iconic Lyrics: Hoy, Hoy, Hoy, Mar Roxas, senador.

It is merely a 36-second campaign commercial with only a 10-second song of Hoy, Hoy, Hoy, Mar Roxas Senador but “Mr. Palengke” left more than decades of branding for Filipinos. Set to the widely known “Mr. Suave” of Parokya ni Edgar, this 2019 senatorial campaign jingle is more than just an election promise but more of a secured catchy song people will remember.

7. Pia, Pia, Pia Cayetano (Pia Cayetano)

Iconic Lyrics: Pia Cayetano, sa bawat Pilipino, pasadong-pasado!

Even if you tend to forget Pia Cayetano’s campaign jingle, it wouldn’t just let you forget that easily as Pia’s song is filled with her name on the lyrics added with a brief rap that banks on the supremacy of ‘repeating for people to remember’. And although this song might not be as energetic and catchy as any other campaign track, this Pia Cayetano’s senatorial jingle can be considered part of Pia’s major election victories.

8. Budots (Bong Revilla)

Iconic Lyrics: Just the ‘Andito na si Bong Revilla’.

You might have seen your younger sibling or your neighbor’s kids dance to this legendary 2019 campaign ad of Bong Revilla. Showing just himself, the number 9, and kids dancing to his Budots song, the actor turned politician knows exactly what a ‘kalye’ campaign is for using such a popular song that is commonly played and danced in the streets.

9. Gloria Labandera (Gloria Arroyo)

Iconic lyrics: Gloria, Gloria, Labandera-a-a.

Working hard for a government seat, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo indeed became an ‘election campaign star’ not with her campaign jingle that seems to never have existed but the Gloria Labandera song that was incorporated to her during the past election. Fred Panopio’s iconic novelty song can be heard every after mentioning the electoral bid of Gloria Arroyo- some got to initially know Gloria as labandera.

10. Erap para sa mahirap (Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada)

Iconic Lyrics: Kung may Erap, may ginhawa!

Completing the list is Erap Estrada’s iconic ‘Kung may erap, may ginhawa’ campaign jingle that features people Erap helped from the past, and the Filipinos that are top ‘priorities’ in Erap’s public service period according to the jingle. The slogan “Erap para sa mahirap” that propelled him to victory in the 1998 election is the same slogan he incorporated into his 2010 campaign election jingle for the President seat.

As we are only two months away from the most awaited election of 2022, we have been witnessing different campaign stunts from electoral candidates from both national and local positions. From the campaign rallies of presidential to senatorial bets to the miting de avances of local candidates, everyone seems to be all out when it comes to wooing the people to support them for the upcoming elections using of course the never ‘getting old’ campaign jingles.

Looking at these jingles in different genres and styles to make the campaign period more engaging to the public, if there is one thing that most candidates wanted to portray, it is to make people know and hear that they are indeed part of the poorest of the poor. They are for every Filipino- all genders, ages, and religions. Thus, while we are currently choosing who among the present candidates we are going to root for, we can also consider further hearing and learning the platforms of the candidates while having fun with their campaign jingles.

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=106636769846&set=a.106635529846