May Bukas nga ba? Analysis of the song May Bukas Pa by Rico Jay Puno

May Bukas Pa

By Rico Jay Puno

The song was sung and popularized by Rico Jay Puno in 1980. It became a hit single back then and was regarded as Rico’s most unforgettable song contribution in the Philippine music industry. Rico, whom is still a television personality and a singer, occasionally sings the song in some of his performances. There were also artists from the 80s and 90s who did their rendition of the song. Some of them are Bimbo Cerrudo, Wency Cornejo and Aegis. Current singers like Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Erik Santos also revived the song.

The message of the song is conveyed vividly in each line. It implies how life can be so hard and difficult that hurdles and challenges will always be part of it. But despite these set backs, one can always depend on God for help and guidance. Having faith is very important for a person. Through faith, he can overcome the obstacles in his life.

Since the song was sung in the 1980s, it is also the time when former and late President Ferdinand E. Marcos took Martial Law into effect in the Philippines. This paper’s analysis suggests that the song has political and social relevance during the time it was made.

Contextualizing the message of the song, it denotes the situation of Filipinos during the Martial Law period in the country. According to literatures related to the matter, these years were the darkest period in Philippine history. There is a clear defiance of people to its government, resulting to demonstrations and rallies that resulted into brutal acts between the people and soldiers. Many were abused, jailed and many lost their lives fighting for democracy and freedom from the dictatorship. Media was blocked out; political education is being deprived to students and right to one’s privacy was severely violated. Hence, the song served as an inspirational reminder that there is God who will put an end to their misery.

Assuming that Rico and the composers are seeing the cruelness being experienced by Filipinos during the Martial Law period, they talk to the Filipino people through their song.  The lyrics are very light and understandable. It speaks of hope and faith to God. The composers of the song, Ernie de la Pena and Charo Unite, have chosen profound but subtle words that carry vibrant feelings that all the people’s hardships will fade away and there is a good life ahead of them.

 It is noticeable that some parts of the song are repetitive. There were two stanzas that are repeated twice. It is a way to give emphasis and stress to its meaning and for the listeners to absorb fully the message of the emphasized part. Secondly, it is observable that the composers of the song are a believer of Christ, for he used several names such as “Diyos” and “MayKapal” to refer to him. They would also want to establish an idea that there will be light in their darkest hours. It is exemplified in the lines: “Sisikat din ang iyong araw” and “Ang landas mo ay mag-iilaw”. In the bible, Jesus was referred to as the light that will guide our path to a better life. But the thing that seems bothering is that there is an assumable indication that the bringer of message is not of the same level as the one being subjected in the song.  The use of words such as “iyong”, ”mo” and “ka”, instead of “ating”, “natin” and “tayo” respectively. These words depicts a distancing idea of the bringer of the message to his recipients. A speculation can be made that the bringer of the message may not be experiencing the same situation as to his recipients. Another assumption that we can infer is that the bringer may be of the side of the Marcoses during that time that sees the unfaithful scenario but is scared to act out to help them. Instead, he made a song that will tell the oppressed people to never lose hope for God will be there to help.

Whether the song is made out of sheer sympathy or empathy, it served its purpose as an inspirational message to those people who experienced hardship during the Martial Law Era. Up until today, the message of the song lingers upon us and in our nation. 

Lyrics of the song:

May Bukas Pa

By Rico Jay Puno

Huwag damdamin ang kasawian

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Sisikat din ang iyong araw

Ang landas mo ay mag-iilaw

Sa daigdig ang buhay ay ganyan

Mayroong ligaya at lumbay

Maghintay at may nakalaang bukas

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/r/rico_j_puno/may_bukas_pa.html ]

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Tutulungan ka ng Diyos na may lalang

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan

Sa daigdig ang buhay ay ganyan

Mayroong ligaya at lumbay

Maghintay at may nakalaang bukas

May bukas pa sa iyong buhay

Tutulungan ka ng Diyos na may lalang

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan

Ang iyong pagdaramdam

Idalangin mo sa Maykapal

Na sa puso mo ay mawala nang lubusan

Composed by: Ernie de la Pena and Charo Unite

Lyrics by: Ernie de la Pena and Charo Unite

http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/r/rico_j_puno/#share