Celeste Legaspi Saranggola Ni Pepe Lyrics

Saranggola ni Pepe
Sung by Celeste Legaspi
Written by Nonoy Gallardo

Matayog ang lipad ng saranggola ni Pepe
Matayog ang pangarap ng matandang bingi
Umihip ang hangin, nawala sa paningin
Sigaw ng kahapon, nilamon na ng alon
Malabo ang tunog ng kampanilya ni Padre
Maingay ang taginting, rosaryo ng babae
Nay... nay... nay... nay...
Nay... nay... nay... nay...


Matayog ang lipad ng saranggola ni Pepe
Matayog ang pangarap ng matandang bingi
Hinuli ang ibon, pinagsuot ng pantalon
Tinali ng pisi, hindi na nagsinturon
Dumaan ang jeepney at gumuhit pa sa kalye
Mauling ang iniwang hindi na tinabi
Nay... nay... nay... nay...
Nay... nay... nay... nay...


Matayog ang lipad ng saranggola ni Pepe
Matayog ang pangarap ng matandang bingi
Lumuha ang langit at ang mundo ay nanliit
Pinilit umawit, ang naglaro'y isang ingit
Kumakaway sa bakod ang anghel na nakatanod
Sumusuway sa utos, puso'y sinusunod
Nay... nay... nay... nay...
Nay... nay... nay... nay...


Did you know that "Saranggola ni Pepe" by Celeste Legaspi was actually a song depicting the history of the Philippines?

I got this information from Ms. Cielo Lantican-Santos, director at De La Salle University-Canlubang.

According to her, the Pepe in Saranggola ni Pepe is referring to Jose Rizal, whose nickname is Pepe.

The first stanza is about the Philippines during the Spanish regime.The images like kampanilya, Padre, and rosaryo all pertain to the the Catholic religion the Spaniards taught us to embrace.

The second stanza, on the other hand, talks about the Phippines' situation during the invasion of the American government. The line Hinuli ang ibon, pinagsuot ng pantalon depicts how the Americans have pushed us to speak their language and adapt their culture.

The third stanza's meaning, however, is not clear. But, I got my own analysis of the lines. For me, the third stanza, just like the first two, also shows a portion of Philippines' history. This time, it talks about the country's situation during the Martial Law. The lines

Lumuha ang langit at ang mundo ay nanliit
Pinilit umawit, ang naglaro'y isang ingit

pertain to the oppression present that time. The last two lines, on the other hand, seem to me an invitation and a challenge for all Filipinos. If you notice, the verb tense of the last two lines is present tense. Meaning, the lyricist of the song is giving us a picture of hope--that one day, the country will finally be released from all kinds of oppression, captivity, and restriction. He is challenging us to reach the state he described in the last line: puso'y sinusunod.