"Raise Your Flag" is a song recorded by Filipino singer KZ Tandingan and rapper Kritiko. It was released through Star Music on March 22, 2019, and was inspired by Catriona Gray's journey to winning Miss Universe 2018. The song was nominated for Best Inspirational Recording at the 33rd Awit Awards. Gray later released her own rendition, titled "R.Y.F", in 2021.
Background and release The title "Raise Your Flag" originated from Gray's response when she was asked during the Miss Universe 2018 competition what she would call a song representing her journey to the crown. Her answer subsequently inspired Jonathan Manalo and Trisha Denise to write a song based on statements and themes associated with her pageant journey.
Tandingan provided the song's lead vocals, while Kritiko performed the rap section. Manalo, Denise and Kritiko, whose real name is John Michael Edixon, are credited as songwriters, with Manalo also serving as producer.
"Raise Your Flag" was released digitally on March 22, 2019. The pop single has a duration of four minutes and nine seconds.
Composition and themes "Raise Your Flag" is a pop song centred on perseverance, unity and encouragement. Writing for Pang-Masa, Lanie B. Mate described the song as promoting Filipino pride and solidarity and noted its connection to Gray's Miss Universe journey.
The song also encourages listeners facing discouragement to persevere and emphasises solidarity with people who feel overlooked or underappreciated.
Live performances The song debuted during the Raise Your Flag for Catriona Gray homecoming tribute held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on February 24, 2019. Tandingan and Kritiko performed the song during the event, which also featured the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.
Reception Following its release, Pang-Masa reported a positive response to the song and noted calls on social media for it to be used as a theme song for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Notable versions
BGYO rendition Before their official debut as BGYO, the members performed "Raise Your Flag" as the Star Hunt Academy Boys during the 2020 ABS-CBN Christmas Special. In 2022, Village Pipol included the performance in its list Five Remarkable P-Pop Renditions That Are Worth Listening To, noting that the group performed the cover during their trainee period.
Catriona Gray version Gray recorded her own version of "Raise Your Flag", titled "R.Y.F", which was released on May 28, 2021.
In an interview with Gulf News, Gray said that although the song began with her experience representing the Philippines at Miss Universe, she had come to view its message as universal. She described it as encouraging people to lift one another up, pursue their aspirations and use their individual spheres of influence for good.
Gray also modified portions of the lyrics for her rendition. A dance-oriented version titled "R.Y.F (Nu-Disco)" was released on July 11, 2021.
Accolades + Awards and nominations for "Raise Your Flag" Year Organization Category Result 2020 Awit Awards Best Inspirational Recording
References
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