Part 1 - Sarswela (Bayan Ko in Ilocano) by Felipe Alonzo

Many of us recognize "Bayan Ko" as a powerful patriotic anthem, but its origins trace back to a 1902 sarswela, "Walang Sugat" (Woundless) by Severino Reyes whose pen name was Lola Basyang. Kundiman in form and originally written in Spanish, it was translated into the Tagalog version we know today by Jose Corazon de Jesus, also known as Huseng Batute, in 1929.
Stay tuned after the song for my interview with Mang Felipe, as he reminisces about his days performing in sarswelas and shares his thoughts on why this art form is no longer performed.
Directed by Benito Bautista
Cinematography by Peggy Peralta
Sound recording by Raffy Magsaysay
Produced by Fides Enriquez