My favorite month of the year is October. Along with my love for milder weather, an expanded color gradient on trees, and less scrutiny regarding my affinity for black coffee, this month is, additionally, National Filipino American History Month. This adds to my October enthusiasm as I myself am half Filipino. There are many parts to my culture that I am proud to share with others, one aspect being the passion of music.
For as long as I can remember, music has held a major role in my personal life, a huge reason being the emphasis and high regard that both my immediate and extended family put on it. Not only do Filipinos love singing and listening to music; they also love making it, in any way possible. Several mainstream artists such as Bruno Mars, Lea Salonga, and Enrique Iglesias also share a Filipino heritage and have made their mark on the musical industry. So, in honor of October—the superior month in more ways than one—I asked 20 Andrews University students to name a song they liked by a Filipino artist:
“Nothing Good” by Lea Salonga and Megan Hitty
Nathalie Gonzalez (sophomore, social work)
“Lemonade” by Jeremy Passion
Jeremy Samuel (freshman, nursing)
“happier” by Olivia Rodrigo
Marco Ruppel (sophomore, elementary education)
“Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars
Matthew Lechleitner (junior, engineering)
“El Perdon” by Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias
Samuel Rivas (freshman, architecture)
“good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo
Elijah Johnson (sophomore, pre-physical therapy)
“Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars
Jocabed Ayala Carrera (sophomore, international business)
“Leaves” by Ben&Ben
Marcel Mattox (senior, social work)
“Locked out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars
Sophia Martinez (sophomore, pre-physical therapy)
“Wish That I Could Tell Me” by Marian Carmel
Morgan Bland (graduate, architecture)
“Best Part” by Daniel Caesar & H.E.R.
Salena Rodgers (sophomore, social work)
“All I Want” by Olivia Rodrigo
Marley Ayala Carrera (freshman, Spanish)
“This Dance” by Brent Laporre
Jordan Anderson (sophomore, elementary education)
“Most Girls” by Hailee Steinfeld
Hailey Wilson (freshman, explore Andrews)
“drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo
Nathan Gulzar (sophomore, aviation)
“Come Inside of my Heart” by IV of Spades
Elijah le Roux (sophomore, speech pathology)
“Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic
Maria Magray (graduate, physical therapy)
“24k Magic” by Bruno Mars
Angelina Nesmith (sophomore, exercise science)
“Kwarto Waltz” by Halina
Maia Hamstra (junior, speech pathology)
“Treasure” by Bruno Mars
Lourdes Suncin (sophomore, architecture)
Along with these songs, I also have a few personal picks:
“Space Cadet” by Beabadoobee
“Ride Home” by Ben&Ben
“Panalo” by EZ Mil
“Last Lullaby pt. 1” ft. Lea Salonga
“Mundo” by IV of Spades
“Buwan” by Juan Karlos
All these songs can be found on this Spotify playlist or by scanning the code at the beginning of the article. So, put your headphones on, kick back, and appreciate the musical genius that is distinctly and uniquely Filipino. Happy listening!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.