Barangay Canada’s official theme was written and performed by Levy Abad, a well-known kababayan singer/songwriter and recording artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Levy is also a published author and a staunch advocate for migrant rights and human rights.
Give the Barangay Canada theme a listen below:
From Alfie Vera Mella, writing in the Filipino Journal, Vol. 28, No. 12:
Abad has released two albums here in Canada: Canadian Experience volume 1 (an all-Filipino album that sings about the struggles, challenges, and successes of the Filipino community; with songs like “Na-Shock Ako,” “Dito sa Winnipeg,” and “Hinahanap-hanap”) and Never Give Up: Canadian Experience volume 2 (about human rights, with songs like “Never Give Up,” Stand Up for Your Rights,” and “Heading to Manitoba”). He is currently wrapping up his third album, tentatively titled Rhythms of Compassion. Both albums are available to purchase via iTunes. You may also check out on YouTube videos of songs that Abad wrote in tribute of the victims and survivors of the recent typhoon Haiyan that struck areas in the Philippines—“Winds of Haiyan” and “Christmas Tears.”
Levy’s latest book is Rhythms & Resistance, which attempts to gather the stories of Filipino musicians and activists of Winnipeg from 1972 to 1994 when Filipinos were only around 1500. It also contains articles of about 50 bands and some individual musicians interspersed with old pictures, places and events that shaped the memory of the community. The role that music played through the years, from migration, integration to resistance and empowerment was also given credence.
Ryhthms & Resistance can be ordered from McNallyRobinson.com here: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781772802511/levy-abad/rhythms-resistance.