Musikang Bayan (People’s Music) is an acoustic band. It was formally formed… Read Full Bio ↴Musikang Bayan (People’s Music) is an acoustic band. It was formally formed in 2002, a year after its first music album was recorded and launched. It is composed of 4 members whose objective is to write and popularize the songs of ordinary people from different sectors of society. Its name was derived from those who toil, create and build our society and who makes history. Their lives, aspirations and heroism always inspire the group to compose and perform.

Musikang Bayan has already released 3 music albums entitled Rosas ng Digma (2001), Anak ng Bayan (2003) and The Peace We Want (2006). The band was also instrumental in the production of almost 9 music albums done collaboratively with several musicians, singers and songwriters in and outside the country. The group also conducts songwriting workshops for those who are willing to learn and experience how to write songs.

Since the formation of the group, numerous concert performances have been made. In different concert venues, Musikang Bayan were able to performed together with other mainstream/alternative groups and individuals like, The Jerks, The Wudz, Asin, Banyuhay ni Heber, Brownman Revival, Noel Cabangon, Paul Galang, Gary Granada, Joey Ayala, Jess Santiago, Bayang Barrios and many more.
In 2004, Musikang Bayan set into music the poems in the award-winning book of Prof. Jose Maria Sison"Prison and Beyond." The songs have been arranged by Professor Chino Toledo and Vienna-based pianist Aris Caces. The album was released in Europe and was interpreted by Italy-based mezzo-soprano artist Ms. Rica Nepomoceno.

Dami Ng Likes
MusikangBayan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paano mararating
Ang paroroonan
Kung laging nakaupo
Paano susukatin
Kung hindi hahakbang
Ang lapit at layo

Ang kitid at lawak ay hindi matatanaw

Sa kaka-facebook at chat

Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-organize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-mobilize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-organize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-mobilize

Paanong ang mababaw
Ay uunawain at palalalimin
Kung adik sa online
At wala nang mass line
At mali na din ang line

Kung laging subsob
Sa harap ng gadgets
At ayaw lumubog
Sa masses

Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-organize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-mobilize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-organize
Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-mobilize

Kaya't bago pa maubos ang time
At madlang people mag unlike

Bumalik kumonek
Sa tamang line

Overall Meaning

The song "Dami Ng Likes" by MusikangBayan highlights the negative effects of social media addiction and emphasizes the importance of mobilizing and organizing oneself instead of just relying on online approval. The lyrics suggest that if one is constantly glued to their gadgets and not interacting with society, they will remain distant from their goals and will not be able to measure the true scope of their surroundings.

The first verse raises the question, how can one reach their destination if they are always seated and not taking any steps? The width and breadth of a place cannot be fully determined solely by Facebook and chats, as there is no substitute for physical interaction and experience. The next verse highlights how shallow people have become because of their reliance on technology and social media. If political activists and organizers only focus on collecting "likes" online without converting it to action, they will be wasting people's time and will not yield any positive results.

The chorus repeats the lines "what use is having many likes if you are not organized" and "what use is having many likes if you are not mobilized," emphasizing the importance of channeling the people's energy into productive action instead of just focusing on getting approval on social media.

In the bridge, the song points out how difficult it is to understand and deepen one's understanding of social issues if they are addicted to online platforms and if they fail to make a real connection with their community. Finally, the last line reminds people to get back to the right path before it's too late, and before they lose the support of the masses.

Line by Line Meaning

Paano mararating
How can we reach our goals

Ang paroroonan
If we do not leave where we currently are

Kung laging nakaupo
While we sit idle and do nothing

Paano susukatin
How is progress measured

Kung hindi hahakbang
If we do not take any steps forward

Ang lapit at layo
Distance won't be determined

Ang kitid at lawak ay hindi matatanaw
The broadness or narrowness is not visible

Sa kaka-facebook at chat
By spending most of our time on social media

Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-organize
What is the use of many likes if there is no organization

Aanhin ang dami ng likes kung walang na-mobilize
What is the use of many likes if there is no mobilization

Paanong ang mababaw
How can we understand something shallow