Florante

Filipino Singer and Songwriter

Florante de Leon

Other names| Florante
Occupation| Singer-songwriter

Florante de Leon, popularly known simply as Florante, is a Filipino singer-songwriter.

## Career

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He was a pioneer and leading exponent of Pinoy folk rock[1] during the DZRJ-AM radio boom in Manila during the 1970s. His more popular singles include the hit ballad, "Handog" (Offering) and other songs, such as "Ako'y Isang Pinoy" (I Am A Filipino), "Abakada" (A-B-C-D), "Digmaan" (War) and "Pinay" (Filipino Woman),[2] which form part of the musical genre called Manila sound. He influenced other singer-songwriters that followed, particularly during the emergence of OPM; these artists include Joey Ayala,[3] Freddie Aguilar and Heber Bartolome.

### Manila sound

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Even though a folk singer, Florante also became a part of the 1970s Manila sound. In 2006, Join the Club's hard rock revival of "Handog" was included in the Hopia Mani Popcorn revival album.

## Political views

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In 1986, Florante campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election, being a friend of Marcos' son Bongbong.[4][5] In 2004, Florante stated that his 1983 allegorical song "Upuan", which alluded to Marcos and his military officers, managed to predict his downfall three years before he was deposed in the People Power Revolution.[5]

## References

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1. ^ Lockard, Craig A. (1998). Dance of life: popular music and politics in Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 137\. ISBN 0-8248-1918-7.
2. ^ Lockard, Craig A. (1998). Dance of life: popular music and politics in Southeast Asia. University of Hawaii Press. p. 138\. ISBN 0-8248-1918-7.
3. ^ Rodell, Paul A. (2002). Culture and customs of the Philippines. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 186. ISBN 0-313-30415-7.
4. ^ "More stars join KBL campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. January 30, 1986. "AS THE Feb. 7 election nears, more and more showbiz personalities have signified their support for the KBL campaign."
5. ^ a b Escandor Jr., Juan (September 26, 2004). "Florante says he foresaw Marcos downfall". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A38. Retrieved January 30, 2025.

## External links

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* Florante at IMDb

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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