Veteran singer and Camarines Sur Vice Governor Imelda Papin received flak for taking part in the Chinese Embassy’s COVID-19 tribute song titled Iisang Dagat, which is dedicated to “everyone who has contributed to the fight against the epidemic” from both China and the Philippines.
The lyrics of the “mutual support” song were written by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Huang Xilian. It was mostly sung in Mandarin while the remaining parts were in Filipino.
Alongside Papin, the song was also performed by Chinese Diplomat Xia Wenxin from the Embassy, Filipino-Chinese Singer Jhonvid Bangayan and Chinese actor Yubin.
The lyrics goes:
Sa lamig ng kahapon, tayo ay hinahamon
Binalot ng dilim, umaasa liwanag ay darating
Pagdating liwanag na ating minimithi
Ito ay nagbibigay pag-asa sa bawat bansa
Pre-chorus:
Dahil sa iyong pagmamahal na umaagos na parang alon
Hawak kamay tayo’y patungosa maliwanag na kinabukasan
Chorus:
Ikaw at ako’y nasa iisang dagat,
Ang iyong pagmamahal aking kasama
Ang iyong kamay ay hindi ko bibitawan
Maaliwalas na kinabukasan ating masisilayan
Verse II
Sa lamig ng kahapon, tayo ay hinahamon
Binalot ng dilim, umaasa liwanag ay darating
Muling sisikat ang araw ang init madarama
Ito’y magbibigay pag-asa sa bawat bansa
“Just as the lyric goes, as friendly neighbors across the sea, China and the Philippines will continue to join hands and make every effort to overcome the COVID-19 at the earliest,” wrote the Chinese Embassy Manila in its Facebook page.
The video also featured President Rodrigo Duterte, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar expressing their thanks for China’s aid to the country amid the COVID-19 crisis.
China has previously donated testing kits, face masks and PPEs to the country.
Last week, medical experts from China arrived in the Philippines to share their learnings and help the country in handling the coronavirus crisis.
The music video released on April 23, Thursday, however, has received more dislikes than likes on ChinaTV’s YouTube channel.
On Twitter, netizens aired their dismay over Papin singing parts in what they perceive as China’s subtle move to claim ownership over the West Philippine Sea.
President Duterte has had said that he preferred to maintain friendly negotiations with China regarding the ongoing territorial disputes.
Nevertheless, the country recently filed two diplomatic protests against China for pointing a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship and declaring a Philippine territory as part of Hainan province.
Papin has not responded to the comments, but shared the music video on her Facebook account on Saturday.
Watch the music video here:
