Asian Journal Of Advanced Multidisciplinary Researches (AJAMR), Vol. 1, Issue No. 1, March 2021 ISSN Online: 2782 - 9057 1 Paper ID: AJAMR032021005 Semiotic Analysis of Some Selected OPM Songs 1 Rovy M. Banguis, Ph.D. Department of English, College of Arts and Sciences, Mindanao State University-Buug, Philippines Email:rovy.banguis@msubuug.edu.ph ABSTRACT This study investigated the cultural values on nationalism as conveyed in some selected OPM songs, specifically the songs of Freddie Aguilar such as “Anak” (Child); “Bulag, Pipi, at Bingi” (Blind, Mute, and Deaf); and “Siya ang iyong Ina” (She is your mother); “Pulubi” (Beggar) ; and Mindanao. Specifically, this study utilized semiotic analysis which aimed to determine the different meanings of the songs which entail the four cultural values on nationalism such as family solidarity, love for social justice, love for peace and order, and concern for national unity. Theory on Musical Equilibration, Musical Theory, Music Semiology, and Gellner’s Theory on Nationalism serve as the theoretical bases and the reasons of the conception of this endeavor. This is descriptive and qualitative in nature for it utilized analytical and interpretative method of research which was reinforced by closed analysis of interpretation. The study revealed that all the five songs of Freddie Aguilar depict some cultural values on nationalism such as family solidarity which is found in the songs “Anak” and “Siya ang iyong Ina”, love for social justice in the songs “Pulubi” and Bul ag, Pipi, at Bingi” and love for peace and order and concern for national unity, and love for social justice in the song “Mindanao”. The composer of the said songs emphasizes the importance of cultural values on nationalism which encompasses the feelings of cultural pride that people have in a society. Keywords: semiotic analysis, cultural values, nationalism, family solidarity, social justice, national unity 1 INTRODUCTION Song is an important part of daily life. The exploration of song helps a researcher understand different peoples of the world because their interest, longings, and hopes are found in their song. The writing of a good song requires great simplicity of grammatical structure, meaning, and feeling. It can be written from a heart which genuinely feels the emotion it is expressing. To write a song is likely the same as establishing emotional integrity for it is the unifying element where humans find adequate expression and inner satisfaction for feelings. It is a sort of looking glass from which people would be able to mirror the soul of a nation. It is the necessary ingredient in all ceremonies such as in: wedding, baptismal, death, worships, festivities, games, dances, and other occasions which express joy, wonder, and sorrow. Nationalism is a feeling of devotion and loyalty to a land or people. It arises from shared feelings and experiences among the people. This may include a common language, culture, religion, social order, historical tradition or physical descent. The feelings of common background and destiny become nationalism when they are stressed by some process of education (Abeleda, 1992).Furthermore, the development of nationalism must be anchored in the conservation and further strengthening of our desirable cultural values. Among the cultural values are: love of country, family solidarity, respect for law and order, concern for national unity, appropriation and neighborliness, Filipino tenacity in the pursuit and defense of national ideals, love of peace and order, and love for social justice, and the democratic way of life (Zaide, 1986). It is on this regard that the contention of the study is to find out the meanings and messages of his songs and further seek to identify whether all of those mentioned cultural values on nationalism are manifested in Freddie Aguilar’s songs. This study is limited to five selected songs of Freddie Aguilar such as “ Anak”(Child); “Bulag, Pipi at Bingi”(Blind, Mute, and Deaf) “Siya ang iyong Ina” (She is your Mother ); “Pulubi” (Beggar); and Mindanao which depicted some cultural values on nationalism such as love for peace and order, family solidarity, love for social justice and concern for national unity. 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The Theory of Musical Equilibration says that music can convey any emotion at all, not just merely volitional processes, the musical listener identifies with. Then in the process of identifying the volitional processes are colored with emotions. The same happens when we watch an exciting film and identify with the volitional processes of our favorite figures. Here, too, just the process of identification generates emotions. These volitional processes have something to do with the phenomena which early music theorists called "lead", "leading tone" or "striving effects". If we reverse these musical phenomena in imagination into its opposite (not the sound wants to change - but the listener identifies with a will not to change the sound) we have found the contents of will, the music listener identifies with. In practice, everything becomes a bit Available online at https://msubuug.edu.ph/journal Asian Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Researches ISSN: 2782-9057