Manila (Hotdogs song)

"Manila" is a song by Filipino band The Hotdogs. The song is written about love for the Philippine capital. It tells about a man who misses Manila while living in another country for years. The upbeat song was inspired by Tony Bennett's hit single, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco". It topped the radio charts in 1984.

Background

It centers on the story of the narrator who left Manila for a foreign country for to work and became homesick for Manila after living out for long. The narrator then tells of his many adventures outside the country.

Some lyrics reference the United States and Australia. "I walked the streets of San Francisco" references his love for visiting places and strolling around and SFO is one of them. "I've tried the rides in Disneyland" tells of him visiting many amusement and theme parks. His friendship with foreigners and different nationalities is referred in "dated a million girls in Sydney". The narrator then says that he didn't get much satisfaction and enjoyment from all his escapades through the part "somehow I feel that I don't belong". His realization that the Philippines can only give him the best satisfaction and enjoyment plus his desire to come back to the Philippines and its capital, Manila start in "Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila". The narrator then decided to stay in the Philippines for good in the lyrics "Take me back in your arms Manila", "Promise me you'll never let go", and "I'm coming home to stay".

In the 70's decade, during the Martial Law era, the Manila sound genre was getting to a successful peak. That was when the Hotdogs formed with Ella Del Rosario as lead vocals, Rene Garcia on vocals/lead guitarist, Ramon "Mon" Torralba as 2nd lead guitarist, Tito Del Rosario on 3rd lead guitar, Dennis Garcia on bass guitar, Lorrie Ilustre on keyboards with Jess Garcia and Roy Diaz de Rivera as drummers and backing vocalists.

The Garcia brothers, Rene and Dennis, heard Tony Bennet's hit single, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and Frank Sinatra's "New York" one day. It is at this point that they found out that the Philippine capital, Manila should have a song of its own.

Dennis Garcia, Hotdog’s original bassist and main songwriter, has said in an interview that "the band considers the song consider the song the “mother of all Hotdog hits.” He added saying that he and brother Rene "felt our favorite city should also have an anthem of its own, a tune that will last forever. Looks like we got ourselves a self-fulfilling wish”.

Cover versions

Ever since The Hotdogs reunite and disbanded, the song has been covered by various artists like Gary Valenciano, Eraserheads and Side A.

Side A gave the song a more groovier sound and more of a soft rock ballad theme. This was included on their 1998 album "Ang Ating Awitin" made during the celebration of the Centennial Philippine Independence.

Side notes

There is a possibility that this song was also inspired by Tayo Na Sa Antipolo, recorded by the Mabuhay Singers in their album Maligayang Araw, under the title Antipolo.

See also

• List of songs about Manila