On November 30, 2024, during the national observance of Bonifacio Day, “Kita An Naga,” the latest song by Bikolano singer-songwriter and music producer Karl Ramirez, was released for digital streaming worldwide. The song is his ode and commitment to upholding good governance in Naga City.
“Kita An Naga” is special to the songwriter, especially as an advocate of good governance. He hopes the song can rally Nagueños to uphold the values of good governance and people’s participation in governance in the city. And with the coming elections just a few months away, he hopes the anthem will inspire people, in Naga City and beyond, to elect leaders who uphold these values.
On his FB page last November 11, 2024, Karl Ramirez muses,
Our family will always be advocates of good governance. Our friends, both inside and outside government, know that we will always question and challenge authority, especially if there is injustice. Before Bicol Pop or even Musika Publiko had its broad support here in Naga City (this was before the pandemic), palagi kaming tinatanong… Why do we sing or write about social issues? Why do we concern ourselves with what happens in the local and national government? Why do we involve ourselves in “politics”?
We’d always question this and also reply, why not? Ang mga kamusiko ay mamamayan din. Whatever happens in government will always have a bearing on our lives. And by being active in advocating for good governance, can we shape policies and a better direction, not just for the arts and culture sector but for everyone? And our network has always been vocal about its stand on matters of importance.
The song was produced early in the year, before he wrote “Halina sa Naga,” a song for Naga City’s new tourism brand, Naga’Yon. He thought of launching “Kita An Naga” on Bonifacio Day as a reminder that, just like Bonifacio’s revolution, the struggle for good governance is never finished and is and will always be a continuing process.
“Kita An Naga” is being launched in partnership with Musika Publiko, Bicol Pop, Rise Above Pilipinas, the youth organization Naguenyou, the Naga City People’s Council – NCPC, and our kasining at the Naga City Arts and Culture Coalition Rigmat Arts and Culture Fest.
Kita An Naga: Song Lyrics
Pakusugon an satong pagtubod
Padagos kitang magpadangat
Mayong dai kayang gibuhon
Kung kita magkasararo
Dapat kitang may pakiaram
Kita an syudadano
Kita gabos an Naga
Kaledad kan paggogobernar
Para satong puturo
Ini an sakuyang pagtubod
Yaon sato an kusog
Boses kan kada saro mahalaga
Kaya Nagueno madya!
Manindugan!
Satong ipaglaban!
Matanos na paggogobernar
Para sa namamanwaan
Matanos na paggogobernar
Para sa namamanwaan
“Kita an Naga” is available online from Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2M14yximxenBvNrr3LTFMQ?si=65f02d64dc9444df
Apple: https://music.apple.com/ph/album/kita-an-naga/1779108007?i=1779108267
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/karlramirezmusic/kita-an-naga
About the songwriter
Karl is a founding member of Musika Publiko (established in 2017) and currently serves as one of its coordinators. Musika Publiko is a network of musicians, composers, music producers, live event producers, and enthusiasts, which includes Bicol Pop on Facebook as its initiative. He is also the Creative Director of CStudio, a multi-experience recording studio and events place and the weekly radio show Tanog Lokal Suporta Lokal in Bossing FM 104.7 Naga City. He creates music for the wonderful productions of Dominus Digital Connect. He was Executive Director of the League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (LAPIS) from 2015 to 2017. He also is a member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) and the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP).
Aside from his solo acts, Karl’s current work in music revolves around his band Pordalab – an alternative pop-rock band that performs songs of love and nation. The repertoire is mostly originals written by him and currently available at different platforms. Pordalab’s Puso at Bayan album, Sa Pagtahak EP, and latest lockdown songs Paghilom, Bangon Pilipino, and Magkaugnay Nating Buhay are all available commercially at Spotify and iTunes.