Bayang Barrios

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Wikipedia

Bayang Barrios
Barrios in 2025
Born
Junelle Otero Barrios

(1968-06-12) June 12, 1968 (age 57)
Bunawan, Agusan del Sur
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, musician, teacher, designer, peace advocate
Years active1988–present[1]
Notable work
  • "Tadhana" (Encantadia theme)
  • "Malayo Man, Malapit Din"
  • "Pag Nananalo Ang Ginebra"
Spouse
Mike Villegas
​
(m. 2002)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels
  • Mayumi Records
    (formerly Produktong Mayumi ni Bayang Barrios)
  • Tao Music
Member of
  • Bayang Barrios at ang Naliyagan
  • Tres Marias
Formerly ofJoey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad
WebsiteBayang Barrios

Junelie Otero Barrios (born on June 12, 1968, to parents of Manobo origin),[1] professionally known as Bayang Barrios, is a Filipina folk musician, singer-songwriter, teacher, designer and peace advocate.[1] who hails from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. Barrios, a Manobo born on June 12, 1968, which is Philippine Independence Day, was nicknamed Bayang, a name taken from the first word of the Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang.[2][3]

Considered as one of the most iconic folk musicians in the Philippines,[4] she initially downplayed her ethnic origins until she met the songwriter-performer Joey Ayala and joined his band, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad. Many of her known songs, especially those recorded with Ayala, utilized Filipino indigenous instruments. Barrios has received numerous awards, including the Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music from the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 1997 for her album Bayang Makulay, the Golden Vocalist of Asia Award at a Hanoi music festival in 1999, and the PMPC Best Alternative Album of the Year for her album Biyaya.[5]

She performed her self-written song "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" at the 2003 Metropop Song Festival, where she won the Grand Prize.[6] Some of her popular songs are "Bagong Umaga", "Pag Nananalo Ang Ginebra", and "Tadhana", the theme song for GMA Network's television series Encantadia.

Early life

Bayang Barrios, a Manobo, was born in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.[4][7] She was given the nickname Bayang in keeping with her tribe's tradition of naming a child after the first word the mother hears during labor.[2] Born on June 12, 1968,[3] Philippine Independence Day, at exactly 7:30 a.m.,[8] Barrios got her nickname from the first word of Lupang Hinirang, the national anthem of the Philippines,[2] as government employees were heard singing it during a flag ceremony.[8]

Because of bullying and discrimination during her childhood due to her ethnicity, which caused her trauma, she initially resisted her indigenous roots but later embraced her identity when she entered the music scene.[1][8]

Barrios earned a bachelor's degree in education, majoring in catechesis.[1][8] Although she had initially planned to become a nun because of her major, she ultimately pursued a career as a teacher.[1][8]

Career

Barrios started her musical career when she met Joey Ayala in Davao before she graduated in college.[1][8] She joined Ayala's band, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad, bringing indigenous music with a modern beat and vibe to a mainstream audience.[1] She later embarked on a solo career with the release of her first single, "Ka Tribo Ko",[2] from her debut album Bayang Makulay in 1996.[9] The album received the Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music from the Catholic Mass Media Awards in 1997, which was personally presented to her by Cardinal Jaime Sin.[1]

Her second album, Harinawa, was released in 2001 under the independent label Tao Music, co-founded by fellow Bunawan native and musician Grace Nono.[10] In 2003, she joined the Metropop Song Festival and her song entry, "Malayo Man, Malapit Din", which she wrote, won the Grand Prize.[6][11] Eventually, "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" became the opening theme song of GMA Public Affair's show Pinoy Abroad.[12] Her music combines folk and alternative influences, often telling stories rooted in folklore, personal narratives, and everyday experiences.[11] These influences reflect in her 2004 album, Alon, her the third album second indie release.[6]

Among her most notable works is "Tadhana", the theme song of GMA Network's hit television series Encantadia in 2005.[13] The original piece, composed and arranged by Allan Feliciano, had no lyrics.[13] After hearing the instrumental, Barrios improvised the chants at Feliciano's direction, feeling the music as if she were the Encantada, with the forests gone and her people violated.[13]

Also In 2005, Barrios' composition "Isipin Mo Na Lang", co-written with her husband Mike Villegas, played at the ending credits of the indie Filipino film Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros. In 2008, she released her fourth album, Biyaya, which won Best Alternative Album of the Year at the 1st PMPC Star Awards for Music.[14] This album is another indie release under Mayumi record label, named after her daughter, Mayumi.[15]

In 2012, she joined Lolita Carbon and Cooky Chua to form the female group Tres Marias, while continuing their respective solo careers.[16] September 2013 saw the release of her fifth studio album entitled Malaya.[17] Another one of her famous work, the single "Pag Nananalo Ang Ginebra" that was originally composed by Gary Granada and released in 1997, regained popularity in 2016 when the Philippine basketball team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel won the 2016 PBA Governors' Cup.[18][19]

Her sixth album, Sariwang Hangin, was released in 2021 with her band Naliyagan.[20] Officially known as Bayang Barrios at ang Naliyagan,[21] the group was formed in 2016.[11] In 2023, after 35 years in the music industry, Barrios held her first solo concert at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez.[1]

Personal life

Barrios in traditional Manobo attire, 2025.

Barrios began her advocacy for defending the rights of indigenous peoples when she became a solo singer.[1] Through her music, she promotes the recognition and respect of indigenous cultures as well as the broader Filipino identity.[2]

Barrios married to Rizal Underground guitarist Mike Villegas in 2002.[4] They have a daughter, Mayumi, born in 2006, who has mild autism.[22]

Discography

Albums

  • Bayang Makulay (1996)
  • Singles (Bayang Barrios)
  • Harinawa (2001)
  • Alon (2004)[23]
  • Biyaya (2008)
  • Malaya (2013)[24]

Singles

  • "Hade!! (Etheria Theme Song)"
  • "Alay Sa Aking Mga Kapatid"
  • "Ayoko Na"
  • "Bagong Umaga"
  • "Habang Narito Pa"
  • "Ka-Tribo Ko"
  • "Kay Tsong"
  • "Lalalala-laryang (Himig ni Inay)"
  • "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" – (Theme from Pinoy Abroad)
  • "Mekaniko Ng Makina Ko"
  • "Mulat" – (Theme from Limang Dekada)
  • "Nasaan Na Tayo Ngayon"
  • "Saan Nanggagaling Ang Himig?"
  • "Sanggol Sa Sinapupunan"
  • "Matanglawin"
  • "Alon"
  • "Gising Na Kaibigan"

Awards

Event Award Song/Album Year Result
Awit Awards Best Alternative Song "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" 2003 Nominated
Metropop Song Festival Grand Prize "Malayo Man, Malapit Din" 2003 Win
KATHA Awards [25] category:World Music Vocal "Ngansiba" 2002 Nominated
Himig Handog sa Bayaning Pilipino
(songwriting contest)		 "Bayani"
composer: Mike Villegas
interpreters: Zebedee Zuñiga, Bayang Barrios and Katrice Gavino		 2000 Finalist
Hanoi Music Festival Asian Vocalist Festival Golden Award 1999 Awarded
Anvil Awards Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music "Lakbayin ang Pilipinas"
composer: Gary Granada
interpreter: Bayang Barrios		 1998 Win
Catholic Mass Media Awards Lorenzo Ruiz Award for Music "Bayang Makulay" 1997 Win
KATHA Awards [26][27][28] category:World Music Song
 "Bagong Umaga" 1997 Awarded
KATHA Awards category:Folk Vocal Performance "Saan Nangagaling ang Himig" 1997 Awarded
KATHA Awards category:Folk Song "Saan Nangagaling ang Himig" 1997 Awarded
KATHA Awards category:Folk Arrangement "Alay sa mga Kapatid" 1997 Awarded
KATHA Awards category:Folk Album "Bayang Makulay" 1997 Awarded
Metropop Song Festival [29]
(songwriting contest)		 "Bagong Umaga" [11]
composed by Mike Villegas and Bayang Barrios		 1996 Finalist

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 BAYANG BARRIOS: Katutubong DIVA – Celebrating 35 years | culturalcenter.gov.ph, April 14, 2023
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Gabaldon, Kathreena (July 5, 2023). "Bayang Barrios on Embracing Her Identity Through Music". The Beat Manila. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Bayang Barrios on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Sanchez, Giselle (October 7, 2024). "GOSSIP GIRL: Bayang Barrios stages Bagong Umaga concert at Music Museum on Oct. 26". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  5. ↑ Agbayani, Susan Claire (February 25, 2014). "Rock goddesses unite". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Gil, Baby A. "A welcome alternative from Bayang Barrios". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  7. ↑ Layug, Margaret Claire (August 27, 2021). "Mike Villegas on wife Bayang Barrios: 'It's a gift to wake up to someone who sings like her'". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jorge, Rome (March 4, 2005). "Bayang Barrios beyond anthems". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Ka Tribo Ko". Spotify. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  10. ↑ Nono, Grace (December 17, 2001). "'Harinawa': Wishing success for Bayang Barrios". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Saure, Kevin Brandon E. (April 26, 2017). "Folk music takes center stage in Himigsikan 2017". University of the Philippines Diliman. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  12. ↑ GMA Public Affairs (December 17, 2022). Giant Panda bears, sikat sa China! Episode 26 (Stream Together) | Pinoy Abroad. Retrieved December 2, 2025 – via YouTube.
  13. 1 2 3 Malig, Kaela (August 27, 2021). "Bayang Barrios reveals story behind famous 'Encantadia' theme song 'Tadhana'". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  14. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (October 30, 2009). "Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid lead winners in the 1st Star Awards for Music". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  15. ↑ Gil, Baby A. (August 25, 2008). "Bayang celebrates motherhood". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  16. ↑ Abunda, Boy. "Tres Marias a musical powerhouse". Philstar.com. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Malaya". Amazon. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  18. ↑ "WATCH: Bayang Barrios and Gary Granada reprise Ginebra song". GMA News Online. October 20, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  19. ↑ Giongco, Mark (October 19, 2016). "Brownlee nails buzzer-beater as Ginebra wins title, ends drought". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  20. ↑ Anarcon, James Patrick (June 12, 2021). "Bayang Barrios set to release new album inspired by the pandemic". PEP.ph. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Sariwang Hangin - Album". Spotify. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Mike Villegas and Bayang Barrios on being live musicians amid pandemic: 'It's depressing'". GMA News Online. August 28, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Alon". iTunes Store. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Malaya". iTunes Store. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  25. ↑ "The Katha nominees". The Philippine STAR. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  26. ↑ Dtiwebteam (September 19, 2024). "Manila FAME KATHA Awards Nominations Are Now Open". Department of Trade and Industry Philippines. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  27. ↑ "CITEM: Center for International Trade and Exhibitions". Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Manila FAME+". Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  29. ↑ "The 1996 Metropop Song Festival - Full Telecast". May 4, 1996. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  • Media related to Bayang Barrios at Wikimedia Commons
  • Bayang Barrios in Tugtog Pinoy
  • Bayang Barrios beyond anthems