“KARANIWANG Tao” also criticizes our traditional, gutter, patronage politics, in which the interests of the powerful sometimes eclipse those of the general population. Ayala’s song reminds us subtly that a country’s people define its strength rather than its leaders. Though sometimes disregarded, the typical Filipino has great power to influence significant change.
The song’s call to action — “Anong magagawa upang bantayan ang kalikasan” — is about recovering agency and demanding responsibility from those in authority as much as environmental preservation.
With his body of work, including “Karaniwang Tao,” Joey Ayala positions himself as not only a musician but also a cultural icon whose unmatched contributions to Filipino music and social consciousness define him. His use of indigenous instruments and his blending of folk and modern music produce a distinctly Filipino yet generally appealing sound.
His other timeless songs – including “Magkaugnay,” “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” “Tabi Po,” “Magkaugnay,” “Tungo sa Liwanag,” “Bangkerohan,” “Padayon,” “Magkabilaan,” “Maglakad,” “Agila,” “Awit ng Mortal,” and “Bata-Batuta” – serve as tools for introspection and means of social change as much as entertainment. He is a deserving candidate for the National Artist Award because of his dedication to using his work for a more important goal.
Nonetheless, Joey Ayala’s masterpieces are brilliant, mainly in terms of relevance and impact. Although his songs are full of metaphor and meaning, their foundation is the daily life of common Filipinos.
In “Karaniwang Tao,” the line “May kinalaman din ang tulad natin” is a moving admission that everyone has responsibility for the state of our planet; businesses or governments cannot bear whole responsibility. This is a rare gift in a society when art sometimes loses connection to the reality of people who consume it. Ayala’s songs are both ageless and relevant since they directly address the core of the Filipino experience.
“Karaniwang Tao” is a mirror and a lighthouse in a nation where social justice still seems far off. It shows the hardships and goals of the average Filipino and the path towards a more fair and equal society.
The song’s message is clear: the collective action of the country’s people determines the country’s fate, not the whims of the powerful. It is a call to wake the average person to their potential and responsibility, not only to themselves but also to their surroundings.
Ayala is brilliant at presenting complex social concerns interestingly and provocatively. His songs invite the listener to consider and to act; they do not teach. “Karaniwang Tao” is, therefore, more than just a song; it’s a movement, a call to arms for every Filipino to own their part in determining the course of their country.
Looking to the future, Joey Ayala’s work becomes even more relevant. The message of “Karaniwang Tao” is more pressing than ever in a time of growing environmental damage, economic disparity, and political unrest. It reminds us that the collective will of the many, not of a few, determines the ability to transform the world.
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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./PN
