American Song Becoming a National Christian Anthem Amongst Filipino Artist and People of Faith

By: Senior Staff

MANILA, Nov 29 (Cultural Society)-Typhoon Man-Yi, which hit the Philippines and affected Panganiban and Catanduanes, became the sixth typhoon within a month. Over 10 million people have been affected; countless families have been displaced.  Recovery efforts in the region have been hindered, and lives are devastated by this. As the nation recovers, a new song has emerged as the National Christian Anthem to many, resonating across the country as communities unite. In the aftermath of another natural disaster, this song now gives hope. During the COVID pandemic, the song "When There is No Hope (There is Grace)" became viral among Filipinos. It was featured on Hope TV's morning show, Panimbaya sa Kabuntagon. The Filipinos dubbed the song "Hope." In 2020, during a morning broadcast, the quartet Intro Voices broke the song during the global crisis. Despite the ongoing challenges brought by COVID, broadcasters and ministries in the Philippines found the song an anthem of hope. Social media can be a powerful tool for artists to share their messages. Even though the Philippines was not part of the national marketing plan for American music companies, writers like Rick Hendrix have found success with their songs being played and performed in countries worldwide. An example is Hendrix's song "When There is No Hope," which became a hit during the pandemic and continues to be recorded by thousands of Filipino artists. In 2010, it achieved the top spot in America by the artist the Dunaway’s, just like its recent success in the Philippines.  Hendrix stated he is humbled by the mail and messages he receives daily from people in the Philippines, who find strength in a song God gave him during a low point in his life in America. According to the writer, the song has surpassed his initial intentions of reaching up himself for something greater than his pain, and never thought it would have achieved gold status in streaming on various platforms outside of America, including YouTube and Facebook, with millions of views at the time of this publication. Despite not being certified yet, has been downloaded over ten thousand times and performed by over a thousand artists in island communities. The impact of Christian music on government diplomacy and lifting societies has always been strong.  Filled with grace and dedication, Filipinos are known for their protests for a better life. "Through His grace and this song, I have seen families come together, community programs form, and both sad and happy occasions uplifted, including graduation ceremonies and funerals. The song I wrote on the back of a napkin 25 years ago helped rewrite stories and redirect lives. It brings tears to my eyes when I hear thousands of people online singing it, as I remember my own struggles. When I was young, I would listen to the radio. One day, I shared my hope to write a song that can truly dry someone's tears when they're feeling broken with my older sister Lisa and my dad. I never imagined I would do that many times over, and now here's one uplifting people across the ocean into the Philippines," said Hendrix. Songs inspire hope and motivate people. The song "When There's No Hope" acknowledges the resilience of a community facing challenges, sickness, and unwavering belief through the healing influence of music. The growth of music in the Philippines can be attributed to the expansion of digital platforms in the islands. Millions nationwide have unoffically  embraced "Hope" as their National Christian Anthem. The democratization of music allows for a new age of civic involvement, breaking through traditional political barriers that can amplify diverse voices worldwide.