Nelson Morales

Article (news)

Halalan 2025: Remaking 'Ako Ang Simula'

Francis Toral

ABS-CBN News

<p>The tune. The beat. The words. These all evoked memories of a not-so-distant past when Filipinos cast their votes for the 2010 elections, and ABS-CBN News marked its Halalan coverage with a song about change—a change that comes from one’s self.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745236626693Image (8).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: The original “Ako ang Simula” was sung by artists like Ebe Dancel then of Sugarfree, Barbie Almalbis, Rocksteddy’s Teddy Corpuz, and Bayang Barrios. Screengrab Courtesy: ABS-CBN "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"> Photo caption: The original “Ako ang Simula” was sung by artists like Ebe Dancel then of Sugarfree, Barbie Almalbis, Rocksteddy’s Teddy Corpuz, and Bayang Barrios. Screengrab Courtesy: ABS-CBN </span></span></span></div><p>‘Ako ang Simula’ was meant to make people care about the state of the nation and its future by igniting change from within. Fifteen years later, we may be speaking to a new and different audience but the message remains the same—‘huwag nang mahimbing sa sariling mundo… ako ang simula ng pagbabago, sa pagbabago’. (Let us not rest in our own worlds, change starts with me.)</p><p> As ABS-CBN gears up for the coverage of the 2025 midterm elections, we were inspired to revisit the song, reimagine it with a beat more attuned to the times, and gather a new set of artists to give it a new life.</p><p>On a hot Monday morning, it was all systems go, the energy and excitement palpable at the Academy of Rock recording studio in Quezon City. The song played over and over again, as every artist recorded their lines, and ABS-CBN’s Jeff Canoy and Anjo Bagaoisan looked at every detail with the help of our tireless and hardworking interns and camera crew.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745239594394Ako ang Simula YouTube Thumbnail FINAL 04212025.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The latest version of ‘Ako ang Simula’ would not have been possible without the enormous talent, creativity and generosity of Roxy Liquigan, Head of ABS-CBN Music and Jonathan Manalo, ABS-CBN Music Head of Creatives, Content and Operations, and Kapamilya artists Maki, BGYO, Angela Ken, Wrive, Carmelle Collado, and The Voice Season 26 winner, Sofronio Vasquez.</p><p>Manalo, who rearranged the song, was in high spirits throughout the two days of recording. He was a master of his craft, had an easy smile, and a deep sense of nationalism.</p><p>“It’s a very powerful song, talagang mararamdaman mo ‘yung Filipino spirit. ‘Yun ang gusto kong i-preserve, ‘yung soul ng song, ‘yung lalim ng mensahe,” he said. (It’s a very powerful song, and the Filipino spirit was so evident. That’s what I wanted to preserve: the soul of the song, and the depth of its message.)</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745233773270Image (6).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: Sofronio Vasquez records his part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Winkie Bernaldez, ABS-CBN News Intern "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Sofronio Vasquez records his part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Winkie Bernaldez, ABS-CBN News Intern </span></span></span></div><p>The singers were as selfless. Sofronio Vasquez, whose own story of overcoming difficulties and emerging a winner is inspiring, said it was an honor for him to be part of the new rendition of ‘Ako ang Simula’.</p><p>“When I was still in Mindanao, I would hear this music and in every election, parang mas iconic siya. Now, I’m blessed to be part of the remake,” he said.</p><p>Vasquez added, “I’m overflowing with joy na finally may purpose yung pagiging singer ko… in this world, kailangan natin ng pagbabago every time, sa sarili natin, sa buong mundo.”</p><p>(I’m overflowing with joy that I finally found purpose in my being a singer. In this world, we need change every time, in ourselves, in the world.)</p><p>As the recording progressed, our hearts pounded along with the song—amazed by the authenticity and talent of all the singers.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745233867011Image (1).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Maki records his part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern</span></span></span></div><div><em><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745233910125Image.jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: Boy group BGYO records their part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Boy group BGYO records their part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern</span></span></span></em></div><div><em><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745233998842Image (5).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: Carmelle Callado records her part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Carmelle Callado records her part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern</span></span></span></em></div><div><em><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745234039700Image (2).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: Angela Ken records her part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Angela Ken records her part for the remake of Ako ang Simula. Juliana Talde, ABS-CBN News Intern</span></span></span></em></div><div><em><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:400px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745234081111Image (4).jfif" style="width:400px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: Boy group WRIVE arrives with their blended vocals for Ako ang Simula remake. Winkie Bernaldez, ABS-CBN News Intern"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: Boy group WRIVE arrives with their blended vocals for Ako ang Simula remake. Winkie Bernaldez, ABS-CBN News Intern</span></span></span></em></div><p>For Maki, who is behind the hit song ‘Dilaw’, being part of ‘Ako ang Simula’ gave him a chance to represent the youth in calling for change. “I realized I need to use my voice, and my influence on social media, na mayroon akong dapat gampanan na role as a public figure to influence the youth.” This was the same sentiment echoed by his fellow young artists BGYO, Angela Ken and Wrive who also wish to inspire the young through meaningful music.</p><p>While the media landscape has changed in past years, and the times made more challenging by misinformation and disinformation, the call for vigilance continues. Not only for the elections, but beyond it, for the nation. Composer Mike Villegas who was part of the original ‘Ako ang Simula’, said, “This goes past the voting, we have to patrol our thoughts. ‘Yun ang battlefield.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745234241012Image (7).jfif" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photo caption: ABS-CBN News head Francis Toral with “Ako ang Simula” composer Mike Villegas, 2025 remake music producer Jonathan Manalo, project heads Jeff Canoy and Anjo Bagaoisan, and the Patrol ng Pilipino team at the last day of the song’/ recording video. Photo courtesy: Jonathan Manalo"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo caption: ABS-CBN News head Francis Toral with “Ako ang Simula” composer Mike Villegas, 2025 remake music producer Jonathan Manalo, project heads Jeff Canoy and Anjo Bagaoisan, and the Patrol ng Pilipino team at the last day of the song’/ recording video. Photo courtesy: Jonathan Manalo </span></span></span></div><p>Songs truly have a unique way of uniting the country, binding Filipinos towards a common goal, and showcasing the innate artistry of the Filipino.</p><p> Ako ang Simula, Bayan Mo, i-Patrol Mo. A song with a familiar tune, a heart-pounding beat, and powerful words. Its one true message remains: change starts with me.</p><div> <em>— With special thanks to Gina Jaculo and David Salvan of ABS-CBN News</em></div><div><em><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J_aHc9KDcBI?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></em></div><div><em><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/an6agnKHbhQ?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></em><br/></div>

<p>Ako ang Simula, Bayan Mo, i-Patrol Mo. A song with a familiar tune, a heart-pounding beat, and powerful words. Its one true message remains: change starts with me.</p>

Ako ang Simula, Bayan Mo, i-Patrol Mo. A song with a familiar tune, a heart-pounding beat, and powerful words. Its one true message remains: change starts with me.