{{Infobox song | name = Magkaisa | cover = | alt = | type = song | artist = Virna Lisa | album = Magkaisa - A Tribute to the Filipino People | released = 1986 | recorded = March 1, 1986 | studio = Tasha Recording Studio | venue = | genre = | length = 5:27 | label = Ivory Records | writer = Tito Sotto | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} "'''Magkaisa'''" (Tagalog for "unite") is a 1986 Filipino pop song by Virna Lisa (real name: Virna Lisa Loberiza) and composed by Tito Sotto.<ref name="MailaAger20140224">{{Cite news|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/580347/edsa-i-song-magkaisa-still-very-relevant-today-says-sotto|title=Edsa I song ‘Magkaisa’ still very relevant today, says Sotto|last=Ager|first=Maila|date=24 February 2014|accessdate=9 July 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307112456/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/580347/edsa-i-song-magkaisa-still-very-relevant-today-says-sotto|archivedate=7 March 2014|url-status=live|language=en}}</ref><ref name="GeeGeronimo20160224">{{Cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/123550-martial-law-activists-lingo-edsa/|title=Martial law speak: Words that defined the anti-Marcos movement|last=Geronimo|first=Gee|date=24 February 2016|work=Rappler|access-date=9 July 2018|language=en}}</ref> It is notable for being one of three iconic songs of the 1986 People Power Revolution, alongside ''Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo''<ref name="Gazette20140225">{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/02/25/dancing-to-the-tune-of-the-revolution/|title=Dancing to the Tune of the Revolution|date=25 February 2014|website=Official Gazette of the Government of the Philippines|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027060817/http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/02/25/dancing-to-the-tune-of-the-revolution/|archivedate=27 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the patriotic ''kundiman'' and protest anthem, ''Bayan Ko''.<ref name="BeaSaban2017">{{Cite web|url=http://www.himig.com.ph/features/76-martial-law-and-music|title=Martial Law and Music|last=Saban|first=Bea|date=2017|website=www.himig.com.ph|language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229073601/http://www.himig.com.ph/features/76-martial-law-and-music|archivedate=29 December 2017|url-status=live|accessdate=12 July 2018}}</ref>
==Writing and recording== Sotto wrote the song over the course of three days, together with arranger Homer Flores and record producer Ernie dela Peña. The backup singers were Babsie Molina, Bambi Bonus, and Vic Sotto.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/190573/magkaisa-its-the-song-not-the-singer|title=‘Magkaisa:’ It’s the song, not the singer|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=21 February 2016|accessdate=21 February 2016|author=San Diego, Bayani}}</ref> Virna Lisa recorded the song at Tasha Recording Studio in Libis, Quezon City, on the evening of March 1, 1986, less than a week after the revolution.
==Reception== The song was greatly popular with the masses{{vague|date=July 2018}} following its release, mere days after the revolution ousted President Ferdinand Marcos and drove his family to exile in Hawaiʻi on 25 February 1986.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/214945/the-voice-behind-magkaisa|title=The voice behind ‘Magkaisa’|work=Manila Bulletin|date=8 August 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812060537/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/214945/the-voice-behind-magkaisa|archivedate=12 August 2009}}</ref>
It was a big hit when played on radio stations, and its accompanying music video aired on major television stations nationwide a month after the revolution.
==Significant covers== Sarah Geronimo sang the song on August 5, 2009 at the funeral of President Corazon Aquino, who came to power after the toppling of the Marcos regime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEG7jxNZ2tA|title=Sarah Geronimo-Magkaisa|publisher=YouTube|date=August 23, 2009|accessdate=February 25, 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> Geronimo’s version is on the album ''Paalam, Maraming Salamat Pres. Aquino: A Memorial Tribute Soundtrack'' by Star Music.
Regine Velasquez sang her version in 2011 during the ''Tatak EDSA 25'' concert along White Plains Avenue, Quezon City, as part of silver jubilee celebrations for the revolution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtQhJve0HyI|title=MAGKAISA - Regine Velasquez (Tatak EDSA 25 Concert, 02.25.2011)|publisher=YouTube|date=February 26, 2011|accessdate=February 25, 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>
==See also== *''Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo'', another song related to the 1986 EDSA Revolution.
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Philippine patriotic songs}} {{Martial EDSA}}
Category:1986 songs Category:1986 in the Philippines Category:Filipino patriotic songs Category:People Power Revolution Category:Songs in Tagalog