Multo, Malaya, and More: What’s Your ‘Independence’ Anthem?

Letting go. Holding on a little longer. Wishing to break free. OPM has a song for the different faces of “kalayaan.” 

Beyond the songs that celebrate triumph and the country’s independence, there are anthems that speak of freedom on a more personal level. Here are five tunes — performed on the Wish Bus — that may strike a chord.

Cup of Joe — “Multo”

Hindi na makalaya

Dinadalaw mo 'ko bawat gabi

Wala mang nakikita

Haplos mo'y ramdam pa rin sa dilim

This Wish-award-winning performance spotlights a song that talks about being haunted by the ghost of the past. Penned by co-lead vocalist Raphaell Ridao and his brother Redentor, “Multo” has shattered records — including being the most-streamed song on Spotify and the first song by an OPM act to enter the Billboard Global 200.

Moira Dela Torre — “Malaya”

Baka sakaling makita kitang muli

Pagsikat ng araw, paglipas ng gabi

Kung di pipilitin ang di pa para sa'kin

Baka sakaling maibalik

Malaya ka na

A smash hit for singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre, “Malaya” was the ultimate letting-go anthem of the late 2010s. According to an interview with Preen, she considers the song a “season ender.” 

“I had spent years trying to piece things together myself and ended up more depressed than happy. ‘Malaya’ was my freedom song — freedom from everything I can’t control and everyone I can’t have,” she shared.

J Skeelz (feat. Hero) — “MAKALAYA”

Gusto nang makalaya

Sakal na sa leeg…

Hayaan na muna ang aking sarili

Sarili na muna ang aking unahin

Feeling suffocated in a relationship? This hip-hop piece is for you. A collaboration between J Skeelz and Hero, this is the Wishclusive to indulge in if you want to move on and finally choose yourself. It takes a certain level of bravery to do so, and tracks like this are here to remind you that you can. 

Kris Lawrence — “Kung Malaya Lang Ako”

Kung malaya lang ako

Kung malaya lang ako

Ipagsisigawan kong mahal kita

Written by Vehnee Saturno and Kris Lawrence, this Wishclusive features an R&B classic that dominated the late 2000s. Here, freedom is something that they actually wish for. And desperately at that. It only goes to show that sometimes, in love and life, not everyone who wants to be free actually gets to be.

Freestyle — “Before I Let You Go”

But baby, before I let you go

I want to say "I love you"

I hope that you're listenin'

'Cause it's true

Taken from Freestyle’s self-titled debut record, “Before I Let You Go” is a bittersweet hit that depicts letting go and moving on as a form of love. The song was released in 1998, and it remains a relatable anthem for anyone who has ever had to love someone enough to give them the freedom they need.