Payapang Daigdig lives on

Legend has it that one evening in the year 1945, the then would-be National Artist for Music and Lyrics Felipe de Leon looked out the window and saw his beloved Manila leveled to the ground. World War II had come to its end but the final battle between the rescuing Americans and the occupying Japanese forces has left the once beautiful city in ruins. This sight along with his desire for the end to all wars is believed to be what inspired De Leon to compose his immortal song Payapang Daigdig.

For some strange reason, Payapang Daigdig evolved over the years into a popular Christmas carol. Maybe it was because of the lyrics written by Eduardo de Leon and Brigido Batungbakal. This expresses in simple words a longing for peace for all mankind living under the blue sky of this world. This sentiment does bear a close resemblance to the Austrian Christmas carol Silent Night. But no matter the reason Payapang Daigdig is now considered a part of the Filipino Yuletide celebration.

Another reason could be that De Leon was also the country’s most popular composer of Christmas songs. He was a prolific musician whose masterpieces include operas like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, marches like Bagong Pagsilang, zarzuelas and other music forms. But his most well-known works, the ones considered his biggest hits were the Christmas songs Noche Buena and Pasko Na Naman.

So every time you hear, “Kay sigla ng gabi/ ang lahat ay kay saya/ nagluto ang ate ng manok na tinola/ sa bahay ni kuya ay mayroong litsunan pa/ ang bawat tahanan may handing iba’t-iba/ tayo na giliw mag-salo na tayo/ mayroon na tayong tinapay at keso/ di ba noche buena sa gabing ito/ at bukas ay araw ng Pasko…” you are listening to a Felipe de Leon composition with lyrics by National Artist for Literature Levi Celerio. 

And every time, kids caroling at your door launch their voices into a joyful  “Pasko na naman/ o kay tulin ng araw/ Paskong nagdaan/ di ba kung kalian lang/ ngayon ay Pasko/ dapat pasalamatan/ ngayon ay Pasko/ tayo ay mag-awitan/ Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na naman muli/ tanging araw nating minimithi…” take note that the man who fully captured the spirit of the Filipino Christmas celebration in that song was also De Leon again with assist from Celerio.

Nowadays though, De Leon’s big hit and that includes on streaming sites and videos on other digital platforms, is no other but his 74-year-old Payapang Daigdig which is sure to last many more lifetimes. “Ang gabi’y payapa/ lahat ay tahimik/ pati mga tala/ sa bughaw ng langit/ kay hinhin ng hangin/ waring umiibig/ sa kapayapaan/ ng buong daigdig.

“Payapang panahon/ ay diwa ng buhay/ biyaya ng Diyos/ sa sangkatauhan.

“Ang gabi’y payapa/ lahat ay tahimik/ pati mga tala/ sa bughaw na langit/ Pati mga tala/ sa bughaw ng langit.”

It is Payapang Daigdig that you hear every time the Jollibee Christmas commercial is aired and that is a lot of times every day. The tune lasts for only a few seconds but it so brings on that Filipino Christmas feeling. This has led a lot of people into checking out the song and its various versions. It was recorded by both Regine Velasquez and Lea Salonga and the Philippine Madrigal Singers has a divine version. Plus many others. Choirs during Christmas festivities these days also make sure to include Payapang Daigdig in their programs.

And there is more. Prepare for a massive emotional dose of Payapang Daigdig once the Metro Manila Film Festival rolls out its entries come Christmas Day. The song plays a crucial part in the soundtrack the of the motion picture Miracle in Cell No. 7 where it will be performed by the Aurorae Girls Choir.

Based on a most successful Korean comedy-drama, the picture tells the story of how hardened convicts in prison worked a miracle for their cellmate who had been sentenced to die. The Filipino version is directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval from the screenplay by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario. It stars Aga Muhlach as the convict named Joselito and Xia Vigor as his daughter. 

Payapang Daigdig is now available in the Miracle in Cell No. 7 soundtrack, which also features Isang Himala by Katrina Velarde and the theme song, Tag-araw composed by Wency Cornejo and performed by Janine Teñoso.