A soldier and a teacher write songs for Marawi

In the midst of severe conflict, a soldier onassignment in Marawi composed a song to spark hope and inspiration in Marawi crisis victims.

Sgt. Ronie Halasan of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division created a song titled "Bangon Marawi" because of what is happening in the devastated city.

"Naging inspirasyon ko po sa aking kanta, yung nakita ko pong  mag-iina po na takot na takot na tumatakbo, nagyayakapan at dumaan sa aking harapan na lumayon yun diko napigilan ng nangangatog ang aking tuhod.", recalled by Sgt. Ronie Halasan in an interview on GMA's Unang Balita.

His composition has gone viral after it was uploaded July 11. The video gained over 169, 000 views.

Halasan called out the Filipinos to unite to end the war. "Isipin natin na katulad sa kantang ito na makakabangon at walang mangyayaring masama sa Marawi," said by Halasan.

Here's an excerpt of Halasan's "Bangon Marawi:"

Paglubog ng araw ako'y nabigla

Dahil bumalot ang kadiliman sa buong madla

Apoy lumilipad at putok ng baril umaalingaw-ngaw

Nagliyab, Sumabog at batang paslit

Sa awa'y sumisigaw

Marawi, bumangon ka

Tama na ang maling pakikibaka

Kapatid gumising ka!

Di ka ba naaawa sa bayan kong nagdurusa

Bumangon ka, Marawi

Kayang-Kaya natin ito

Oh, Bangon Marawi

Simulan na natin ngayon

Aside from Halasan, Romeo Canilao a teacher from Pampanga also wrote a song for Marawi.

Canilao's "Bangon, Laban Marawi" is addressed to the teachers and student who were caught in between the war in Marawi.

Here's an excerpt from Canilao's "Bangon, Laban Marawi:"

O Diyos hilumin mo

Magkaisa bawat Pilipino

Di pagkakaunawaan ay pag-usapan

nang walang madamay at masaktan.

Bangon, Laban Marawi

Nagdarasal para sayo'ng nakararami

Tayo'y iisang lahi

Lahi ng mga kayumanggi.

Kung ano man ang inyong 'pinaglalaban

Wag daanin sa dahas at kaguluhan

Tayo'y iisa

Iisang bansa kailanman.

The ongoing conflict between the AFP and the Maute group claimed 537 lives. About 93 troops, 45 civilians, and 399 members of Maute grouphave been killed to date. — LA/KVD, GMA News