It centers on the story of the narrator who left the Philippines for a foreign country to work and became homesick after living out for long. The narrator then tells of his many adventures outside the country. Some lyrics reference the United States and Australia. "I walked the streets of San Francisco" references his daily life overseas while "I've tried the rides in Disneyland" tells of his love of visiting places of interest such as natural spots, amusement and theme parks. His friendship with foreigners and different nationalities as well as his fellow Filipinos overseas is stated in "dated a million girls in Sydney", to which he states that he couldn't get much satisfaction or enjoyment from them despite his love for overseas life in the part "somehow I feel that I don't belong". The narrator eventually realizes that the Philippines can only give him the best everlasting satisfaction and enjoyment, which starts in "Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila" and his desire to return to the Philippines and its capital for good begins in the lyrics "Take me back in your arms Manila" and continues in "Promise me you'll never let go", ending with "I'm coming home to stay". In the 70's, during the Martial Law era, the Manila sound genre was getting to a successful peak. That was when the Hotdogs formed with Ella Del Rosario as lead vocals, Rene Garcia on vocals/lead guitarist, Ramon "Mon" Torralba as 2nd lead guitarist, Tito Del Rosario on 3rd lead guitar, Dennis Garcia on bass guitar, Lorrie Ilustre on keyboards with Jess Garcia and Roy Diaz de Rivera as drummers and backing vocalists. After hearing Tony Bennett's hit single, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" on radio during one of their daily routines, Garcia brothers, Rene and Dennis, found out that the Philippine capital, Manila should have a song of its own. Dennis Garcia, Hotdog’s original bassist and main songwriter, has said in an interview that "the band considers the song as “the mother of all Hotdog hits.” He added saying that he and his brother Rene "felt our favorite city should also have an anthem of its own, a tune that will last forever. Looks like we got ourselves a self-fulfilling wish”.
Cover versions
Ever since Hotdog reunited and disbanded, the song has been covered by various artists like Gary Valenciano, Eraserheads and Side A. Side A gave the song a groovier sound and more of a soft rock ballad theme. This was included on their 1998 album "Ang Ating Awitin" made during the celebration of the Centennial Philippine Independence.
Side notes
There is a possibility that this song was also inspired by Tayo Na Sa Antipolo, recorded by the Mabuhay Singers in their album Maligayang Araw, under the title Antipolo. Contrary to suggestions that the song was inspired by the Mabuhay Singers’ “Tayo Na sa Antipolo,” Dennis Garcia said that he had no idea how that story came about as “the song is 100 percent original and organic—borrowing from zero influences.”
