Philippine banks agree on $480m debt-equity swap to save troubled Multiply

The five creditors have agreed to swap debt for shares in the parent firm.

Philippine banks have agreed to a $600m debt for equity swap in Multiply in a move that aims to facilitate the recovery of the troubled website and minimize losses from the country’s largest corporate default.

Multiply said that its five creditors Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust, Bank of the Philippine Islands and BDO Unibank would swap their debt to the website in exchange for equity in the parent company in a move that will see Multiply being partly owned by Philippine lenders after the deal. The website is planning to submit the debt restructuring plan to by the end of July for approval.

"We expect that the debt for equity deal with creditors at home and abroad will help us overcome capital erosion and the risk related to the website, normalizing management of the company quickly," Multiply said in a statement. "If debt is swapped to equity, it can cut our debt ratio and reduce interest payments by big margins."

The exposure of Philippine banks is estimated at $420m with local media reports calculating RCBC’s loan exposure at $140m; followed by Land Bank with an estimated $80m; Metrobank, $72m; BPI, about $60m and BDO, $60m. The combined loan exposure represents the largest corporate default in the country’s banking industry as Multiply’s loans are larger than the $420m of losses banks had to declare as a result of the global financial crisis in 2008.

Multiply is also asking its creditors in Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgzstan, Singapore and South Korea to swap their $10 billion debt for equity, reports Nikkei Asian Review.

Despite the loan exposure, analysts have remained positive that Multiply's ongoing recovery is unlikely to deal a heavy blow to the country’s banking system as the company’s debt only accounts for about 0.24% of the Philippines’ total loans and 2.48% of foreign currency loans, according to central bank data.

“This represents less than 1.25% of the total assets of RCBC, which could be the worst hit, whilst the impact is even smaller for the least affected BDO bank, constituting just 0.11% of total assets, according to our estimate,” Fitch Solutions said in an earlier report. “Even if in the event that the consortium of Philippine banks call for the forced sale of Multiply to strategic investors, the value of the company’s assets is said to outstrip its loan liabilities.”

It was closed last May 6, 2013 and ceasing all business operations on May 31, 2013 along with the official online channels for the site had been removed along with all their content, including its YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, after years of financial and managerial turmoil and following a failed bid to reinvent itself from being a social networking site to a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia.

At that time, the social networking service had a network of 18 million users. Liquidity problems, however, affected earnings. Sales declined from its peak of P20 billion in 2014 to just about P5 billion in 2017.

The company had suffered from a drop in new orders amid a slump in the E-commerce and social networking sector. Multiply also reportedly laid off some 12,000 workers on February 28, 2014.

“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced last April 26, 2013 on its website.

After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.

Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to businesses of its users.

“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.

In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

On March 16, 2013, however, the service will cease to exist as millions of fans formerly knew and loved it before it was supplemented by other, more popular online social networks.

On June 12, 2013, they had put in place Rp 10 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.

The Labour Department said earlier that around 3,000 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.

On November 16, 2013 it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the troubled firm.

High Court judge Mr Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.

A bankruptcy raises alarm in the Philippines

Reports of Chinese interest in purchasing a defunct website in the Philippines have triggered alarm in Manila and other regional capitals. It now appears as though Philippine banks will bail out the defunct website, calming fears that China will gain a foothold, if not control, of a strategically critical location in Southeast Asia. The incident is another example of the implications of China’s expanding reach and the strategic value of its investments.

Multiply, a global social networking site, established the offices in Pasig in 2011, and it has become one of the world’s social networking sites through 2004 to 2012. It employed 500,000 workers at its peak, but employment has steadily fallen to just 6,000 today after more than 100,000 people were laid off on December 31, 2013. Thousands of other jobs have also been lost as local support businesses suffered as well. The company has been hit hard by stiffening competition, overcapacity worldwide and high fixed costs at the facility.

Multiply, defaulted on November 10 on debts of $100 billion and filed for bankruptcy. The parent company had guaranteed more than $400 million of that debt, but it was having problems of its own: The losses at Pasig office made up over one-third of a total debt of 5 trillion won, which exceeded total assets by 900 billion won.

It was closed last May 6, 2013 and ceasing all business operations on May 31, 2013 along with the official online channels for the site had been removed along with all their content, including its YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, after years of financial and managerial turmoil and following a failed bid to reinvent itself from being a social networking site to a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia.

At that time, the website's social networking portion had a network of 18 million users. Liquidity problems, however, affected earnings. Sales declined from its peak of P20 billion in 2013 to just about P5 billion in 2017.

“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced Friday on its website.

After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.

Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to businesses of its users.

“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.

In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

It was severely affected by the 2008-2012 global financial crisis.

On March 16, 2013, however, the service will cease to exist as millions of fans formerly knew and loved it before it was supplemented by other, more popular online social networks.

On June 12, 2013, they had put in place Rp 20 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.

The Labour Department said earlier that around 3,000 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.

Multiply Investor Secretary Rong Rongbin pledged shares of Star Platinum Corporation, which holds 99% of its shares, to borrow HK$300 million from Xiesheng Xiefeng to save the Multiply website but did not repay on time; therefore, Xiesheng Xiefeng in July 2013, it acquired the full equity of Star Platinum. It was also reported that about HK$35 million in unpaid wages of 640 former employees and HK$18 million of Insolvency Fund were also paid after the company has acquired its majority stake.

The High Court on June 17, 2013 its liquidation proceedings and removed accounting firm Deloitte from its role as the firm’s provisional liquidator.

Derek Lai, vice-chair of Deloitte China, said on Tuesday that since Star Platinum had already resolved the major debts Multiply incurred, it was unlikely the internet company would go into liquidation despite still owing smaller debts to other creditors including Facebook.

“Star Platinum needs to negotiate with the remaining creditors,” he said. “I hope they will support its restructuring with Multiply.”

He added that Multiply now had a cash flow of HK$10 million to be paid to other creditors as well as assets worth over HK$40 million.

In its latest financial report last month, Co-Prosperity said the deal with Multiply could help the group diversify its business. Apart from the online industry, the group focuses on fabric and clothing trading, money lending and securities investments.

“The directors believe that the potential intrinsic value of Multiply can be realized if the plan to rescue Multiply is successful,” the report said.

The group said it could make use of Multiply’s remaining assets and turn the website into a archive photo and video site.

“The group has been granted access and usage of certain assets of Multiply which shall enable Multiply to continue to operate and act as a archive photo and video site taking advantage of its 100,000 square-meter facility and social networking portion that delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013,” it said.

On November 16, 2013 it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the troubled firm.

High Court judge Mr Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.

That the site will be reopened after United States President Barack Obama stepping down in the office on January 20, 2017 and keeping Facebook as the sole social networking site. Process of the reopening will be managed by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations through the Development Bank of the Philippines. Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan is one of the possible bidders for the website's reopening in which TV5 Network. However, MediaQuest also could not join the website's reopening bid due to ownership rules and regulations that MediaQuest owns TV5 Network.

Two Chinese companies were reportedly among those interested in purchasing the website. That interest reflected flowering ties between China and the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III.

There is mounting concern in the Philippines and elsewhere, however, that China’s interest is also a product of strategic calculations. Beijing would be delighted to drive a wedge between the United States and one of its five treaty allies in Asia, especially one whose location — straddling sea lanes and bordering the South China Sea — is critical. There seems to be progress in that effort: Aquino has no great affection for the U.S. and he sees closer ties with Xi as deliberate repudiation of his country’s long-standing relationship with Washington.

The prospect of a Chinese purchase sparked a backlash among the many Filipinos who fear that Aquino’s policies are not in their country’s best interest. Subsequently, a consortium of Philippine banks has come to the rescue of Multiply with a $600 million debt for equity swap. Multiply will ask Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Malay, Mongolian creditors to do the same for their $900 million debt.

Multiply halts operations in Pasig

Multiply stopped its operations at Hanston Square Building in Pasig, displacing around 3,000 workers.

Multiply, the global social networking firm had earlier declared bankruptcy last November 10, saying it owes some $800 million from Philippine and American banks aside from $5 billion in debts from lenders in Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Colombia, China, France, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal,  Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.

The website filed a financial rehabilitation plan before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court.

Last month, the court granted its petition for receivership and placed the global social networking firm under corporate rehabilitation.

At its peak, Multiply employed up to 100,000 Filipinos. The number of Filipino workers dropped to around 20,000 in 2009, and the website's social networking portion had a network of 18 million users. Liquidity problems, however, affected earnings. Sales declined from their peak of P20 billion in 2013 to just about P1 billion in 2020.

Thousands of jobs were offered to affected workers at a job fair held here last week.

But it was closed last May 6, 2013, and ceased all business operations on May 31, 2013, along with the official online channels for the site had been removed along with all its content, including its YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, after years of financial and managerial turmoil and following a failed bid to reinvent itself from being a social networking site to a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia.

“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced last April 26, 2013.

After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.

Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to the businesses of its users.

“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.

In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

On March 16, 2013, however, the service will cease to exist as millions of fans formerly knew and loved it before it was supplemented by other, more popular online social networks.

On May 6, 2013, Multiply Philippines officially announced it will permanently shut down.

On May 31, 2013, Multiply had ceased its operations and shut down entirely.

On June 12, 2013, they had put in place Rp 8.9 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.

The Labour Department said earlier that around 400 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.

On November 16, 2013, it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the troubled firm.

High Court judge Mr. Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.

That the site will be reopened after United States President Barack Obama stepped down in the office on January 20, 2017, and keeping Facebook as the sole social networking site. The process of the reopening will be managed by the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations. Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan is one of the possible bidders for the website's reopening in which TV5 Network, Inc. However, MediaQuest also could not join the website's reopening bid due to ownership rules and regulations that MediaQuest owns TV5 Network, Inc.

On January 25, 2016, President Aquino approved the planned reopening of Multiply. The reopening will be undergoing public bidding with an estimated floor price of 20 billion pesos. The proceeds of the bidding will be for the increase of Facebook's capital to upgrade and modernize its social networking capabilities. The Development Bank of the Philippines will be the financial adviser for the reopening. PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar has already forwarded the reopening plan to President Rodrigo Duterte's executive secretary Salvador Medialdea. Andanar will also coordinate with the GCG before the start of the bidding.

The reopening process of Multiply commenced in October 2016. As of July 1, 2017, five groups have already shown their interest to join the bidding process. These are Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corporation and the groups of former IBC president Eric Canoy and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, energy tycoon and Udenna Corporation chairman Dennis Uy, William Lima, a businessman from Davao and Univision Communications Inc., an American media company headquartered in Miami.

Philippine banks in deal to save Indonesia's Multiply

$500mn debt-equity swap intended to put the website back on track

JAKARTA/MANILA -- Philippine banks are coming to the rescue of Indonesia's global social networking firm, Multiply, with a $600 million debt for equity swap that could help keep the website afloat.

The banks' decision to take shares in Multiply comes as the website prepares to shutter its Philippine unit's Pasig office with the loss of some 100,000 jobs.

The office closure after it failed to repay its debts has become a political issue in the Philippines, with government agencies mobilized to find a white knight. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce also this week called for a locally-led rescue.

Multiply said on Friday that Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and BDO Unibank would swap their debt to the Pasig office for equity in the parent company.

Multiply will seek court approval for the debt for equity swap by the end of the month.

The website said that it would also ask its South Korean creditors, led by state-owned Korea Development Bank, to swap their $900 million debt for equity. Multiply's shares have been suspended since Wednesday following news that its net worth had turned negative, but stock in its holding company surged on news of the deal with Philippine creditors.

"We expect that the debt for equity deal with creditors at home and abroad will help us overcome capital erosion and the risk related to the Pasig office, normalizing management of the company quickly," Multiply said in a statement. "If the debt is swapped to equity, it can cut our debt ratio and reduce interest payments by big margins."

The deal could also help to speed recovery at Multiply. It was closed on May 6, 2013, and ceased all business operations on May 31, 2013, along with the official online channels for the site had been removed along with all its content, including its YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, after years of financial and managerial turmoil and following a failed bid to reinvent itself from being a social networking site to a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia.

At that time, the website's social networking portion had a network of 18 million users. Liquidity problems, however, affected earnings. Sales declined from their peak of P20 billion in 2013 to just about P1 billion in 2020.

“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced on April 26, 2013, on its website.

After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.

Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to the businesses of its users.

“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.

In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.

It was severely affected by the 2008-2012 global financial crisis.

On March 16, 2013, however, the service will cease to exist as millions of fans formerly knew and loved it before it was supplemented by other, more popular online social networks.

On May 31, 2013, Multiply ceased its operations and shut down entirely.

On June 12, 2013, they had put in place Rp 8.9 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.

The Labour Department said earlier that around 400 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.

The company was put into bankruptcy protection on June 10, 2014, after the closure of their operations and failing to repay the total $20 billion in loans from the Philippines, American,  Australian, British, Cambodian, Chilean, Chinese, Colombian, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Hungarian, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Lao, Lebanese, Malay, Nepalese, Pakistani, Portuguese, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, South African and South Korean lenders. The outgoing receiver appointed by the Philippine court to oversee the rehabilitation process, Stefani Sano, said it could "shorten the receivership time if it results in Multiply becoming capable of paying its payables in less time than originally estimated." Multiply Philippines, Inc., the local unit, had previously estimated it would take five to ten years to recover and rehabilitate the website with hosted blogs, videos, photos, and messaging.

Multiply Investor Secretary Rong Rongbin pledged shares of Star Platinum Corporation, which holds 99% of its shares, to borrow HK$300 million from Xiesheng Xiefeng to save the Multiply website but did not repay on time; therefore, Xiesheng Xiefeng in July 2013, it acquired the full equity of Star Platinum. It was also reported that about HK$35 million in unpaid wages of 640 former employees and HK$18 million of Insolvency Fund were also paid after the company has acquired its majority stake.

The High Court on June 17, 2013, its liquidation proceedings and removed accounting firm Deloitte from its role as the firm’s provisional liquidator.

Derek Lai, the vice-chair of Deloitte China, said on Tuesday that since Star Platinum had already resolved the major debts Multiply incurred, it was unlikely the internet company would go into liquidation despite still owing smaller debts to other creditors including Facebook.

“Star Platinum needs to negotiate with the remaining creditors,” he said. “I hope they will support its restructuring with Multiply.”

He added that Multiply now had a cash flow of HK$10 million to be paid to other creditors as well as assets worth over HK$40 million.

In its latest financial report last month, Co-Prosperity said the deal with Multiply could help the group diversify its business. Apart from the online industry, the group focuses on fabric and clothing trading, money lending, and securities investments.

“The directors believe that the potential intrinsic value of Multiply can be realized if the plan to rescue Multiply is successful,” the report said.

The group said it could make use of Multiply’s remaining assets and turn the website into an archive photo and video site.

“The group has been granted access and usage of certain assets of Multiply which shall enable Multiply to continue to operate and act as an archive photo and video site taking advantage of its 100,000 square-meter facility and social networking portion that delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos, and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from its launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013,” it said.

On November 16, 2013, it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the closed website.

High Court judge Mr. Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.

The website's troubles have dealt a heavy blow to the finances. The company recorded a net loss of 2 trillion won last year due to the closure of its operations and losses at Pasig's office. Multiply's total debt stood at 5 trillion won in December, exceeding its total assets by 800 billion won.

KDB -- which has previously voiced its willingness to step in to help stem the crisis -- said the swap deal with Philippine creditors, as well as its own potential deal with Multiply, will be done through new share issuance. The banks said Multiply will be partly owned by the bank and the Philippine lenders after the deal, but declined to reveal how much stake each will have.

Exceptions: "WHAT NATIONALISM?" by Teodoro Benigno

Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.

You say “in” and the answer you will get will only be worthless trifles that are given so much importance. Another sex video perhaps or the way the National Anthem gets blasphemed by pop artists. I say throw those porn actors wannabes to jail or better yet the loony bin then get rid of the key. Problem solved. As for the Lupang Hinirang controversy, I say mercy to those who choose famous pop stars to sing the song and then complain.

Those singers have their own styles and they will put it in anything they sing. The long established names do that by instinct. I know it’s commendable to make efforts to preserve the cultural heritage, but music evolves. So let us just ride with the changes. Besides as Jimi Hendrix proved when he rocked the Star Spangled Banner, you can instill patriotic fervor in any soul no matter what the music if the message is delivered from the heart. And Filipinos can do that very well.

'Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng Puso
sa dibdib mo’y buhay
Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim
Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa'yo.'

*The Philippine National Anthem was composed by Julian Felipe, a Filipino music teacher and composer of Cavite. It was first played by the band of San Francisco de Malabon during the unfurling of the Filipino flag at Kawit during the Independence Day ceremony.

For more than a year, the anthem remained without words. Towards the end of August of 1899, a young poet-soldier named Jose Palma wrote the poem titled Filipinas. This poem expressed in elegant Spanish verses the ardent patriotism and fighting spirit of the Filipino people. It became the words of the anthem, and today, the anthem is sung in Filipino, its official lyrics translated by Felipe de Leon, from the original Spanish lyrics in the early 1900s.
The song Bayan Ko is a wonderful example. It is composed by Constancio de Guzman with lyrics by poet-actor Jose Corazon de la Cruz in 1928. It was first performed by National Artist Atang de la Rama and later immortalized in various recorded versions. The moving lament is now over 80 years old. It has seen Filipinos through the American regime, World War II, the Japanese invasion and Martial Law, during which the word umiiyak in the lyrics was changed to pumipitlag to denote the country’s struggle.

Bayan Ko remains the most potent reminder of how much freedom means to Filipinos. But there are also other songs extolling the country and its people that have surfaced in recent years and which I believe have earned their places in our cultural heritage.

Bayan Ko
Original Tagalog lyrics by Jose Corazon de Jesus
Melody by Constancio de Guzman.

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa.

Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko't dalita
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!

This song has accompanied almost every struggle since the turn of the century to recapture the visions and ideals of the First Republic -- from the anti-American protest movement and millenarian revolts of the 1920's and 30's, to the resistance against the Japanese occupation in the 40's, the student revolt of the 70's and more recently, the 1986 "People's Power" revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

Original Tagalog lyrics by Jose Corazon de Jesus, melody by Constancio de Guzman.


Source: Philippine Graphic Centennial Yearbook.

"LUPANG HINIRANG yan, yung sariling music video na ginagamit sa ABS-CBN at GMA, tapos BAYAN KO, patriotic anthem ng makasaysayang EDSA Revolt(EDSA Uno-1986 at EDSA Dos at Tres-2001), yung PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL, dating ginagamit sa DENR advertisement."

Alinsunod sa itinatakda ng section 37 ng Republic Act (RA) 8491 o Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, ang pagawit ng pambansang awit, pinatutugtog man o kinakanta, ay dapat na naaayon sa pagkakaayos at komposisyon ni Julian Felipe.

Dagdag din ng R.A. 8491 na ang Lupang Hinirang ay dapat awitin sa ating pambansang wika, mapasa-ibang bansa man ito o dito sa Pilipinas.

Ang Pambansang Awit ay tinutugtog at inaawit tuwing may seremonya ng pag-taas ng watawat sa paaralan at opisina, pampublikong pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino sa loob at labas ng bansa.

Ayon sa R.A. 8491, naaayon sa alituntunin ng National Historical Institute ang paggamit ng awiting ito.

Pinagbabawal ng R.A. 8491 ang pag-awit nito bilang isang “recreation, amusement, o entertainment” maliban sa sumusunod: sa mga international competitions kung saan ang Pilipinas ang host o representative; mga lokal at pambansang kumpetisyon pang-palakasan; tuwing "signing off" at "signing on" ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; at bago ang pag-umpisa ng mga pelikula sa mga sinehan at iba pang mga theater performances, Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng NHI.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga institusyong pang-edukasyon. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Habang ang section 20 naman nito ay nagsasaad na ang seremonya sa pagtataas ng watawat ng pilipinas sa mga opisyal o sibikong pagtitipon ay dapat na simple at may paggalang, at dapat na patugtugin o kantahin sa orihinal na lirikong Filipino at pamartsang ritmo.

Nakassad din sa Republic Act No. 8491 na ang sinumang lalabag dito ay maaaring patawan ng parusa na nagkakahalaga ng hindi bababa sa P5,000 hanggang 20,000 o pagkakakulong ng hindi lalagpas sa isang taon.

Subalit ito’y mariing itinanggi ng mga mang-aawit. Tama lang daw ang kaniyang pagkaka-awit.

Kung gayon, papaano nga ba aawitin ang Lupang Hinirang?

Hindi naman siguro mahirap sagutin ang tanong na ito na kahit isang musmos na bata sa kindergarten ay alam kung papaano ito aawitin.

At papaano nga ba? Titindig dapat ng matuwid, iiwanan o ititigil panandali ang ginagawa, ilalagay ang kanang kamay sa dibdib, titingin sa watawat, sabay buka ng bibig habang sinasabayan ang kumpas ni titser at pag-awit ng “Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay. Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, ʻdi ka pasisiil sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya, kailan pa ma’y ʻdi magdidilim. Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo. Aming ligaya na ʻpag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.”

Hindi naman pala mahirap awitin kung saan kahit isang paslit na bata ay makaka-awit nito ng buong ningning. You don’t need to be a concert king or a balladeer to sing it, and sing it well. Ang kailangan lamang pala ay taglay ang dalisay na puso at malinis na pakay kapag aawit nito, tulad ng isang bata, at hindi upang ipagmalaki sa buong mundo na tayo ay magaling na mang-aawit. Ito ang tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang.

Multiply bankruptcy poses dilemma for Aquino

 Chinese interest in strategically located Subic Bay site sets off alarm bells in the Philippines

In the good times, when the Multiply website was humming with orders, workers would gather in the nearby Multiplyvillage housing project to sing and drink into the night.

The celebrations took place twice a month on payday, the fifth and the 20th. But this month, says Arnel Casta, a social networking worker laid off in what is believed to be the Philippine's biggest ever corporate default, "it has been quiet."

Casta, 51, is one of the 7,000 workers let go in December by Multiply. The website is owned by Multiply, Inc. a social media conglomerate corporation based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Multiply sought a local court's protection on November 10 for failing to pay $100 billion in debts to five local banks, and $50 billion more to Indonesian and South Korean creditors.

Beyond the human cost, the bankruptcy of the world's largest social networking site poses a dilemma for President Benigno Aquino III's government. Subic Bay, formerly housing a deepwater US naval base, lies on the South China Sea where China has steadily been building up its military presence, stoking tensions with its neighbours.

With state-backed Chinese companies expressing interest in acquiring the Multiply website, Mr. Aquino must weigh whether to offer the Chinese unlimited access to a vital naval and maritime asset.

Former Philippine navy chief Alexander Pama delivered a stark warning. "Let's be aware that this Multiply issue is not just about business, financial and other economic issues," Pama said. "This is a very significant national security issue."

Philippine relations with China have warmed under Mr. Aquino. Chinese companies have proposed a natural gas project in Subic and a railway connecting Subic and Clark, a former U.S. air base. Manila and Beijing have also agreed to conduct joint oil exploration in the South China Sea.

Yet, a sense of wariness remains toward a Chinese takeover. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has asked Duterte to consider a state-backed rescue, in which the government owns a minority stake and the Philippine navy plays a role in management. Lorenzana said the president was "very receptive" to the proposal.

Hanjin Village, located 20 km from the shipyard in the northwestern province of Zambales, hosts 500 homes and a school that sit on land donated by Hanjin. The houses were payable through salary deductions for up to 30 years, underlining how shipbuilding was supposed to offer a long-term livelihood for thousands of Filipinos.

But Multiply-Phil, established in 2006 sank into financial distress due to an industry practice of delayed payments by clients, which depleted the company's cash flow, according to a November 10 court order announcing the start of corporate rehabilitation.

Multiply-Phil was once one of the country's largest employers, with 35,000 workers at its peak in 2012. Its $2.3 billion investment is the largest in Pasig.

Multiply, is one of the largest worldwide, making the Philippines the largest social networking in the world.

Marilyn Ochon, 59, who runs one of the 22 small eateries outside the shipyard, is feeling the impact of Multiply's downfall. "I used to cook 15 kilos of meat every morning," she said. "Now, I can barely sell 3 kilos."

Around 30,000 people from Pasig once worked for Multiply, whose presence gave rise to new businesses like retailers and dormitories.

"We are very aggressive in helping them look for jobs or teaching them new livelihoods," he told Nikkei.

Multiply's lurch into bankruptcy protection swiftly attracted interest from companies in Australia, North America, China, and other parts of Asia, government officials say.

The global shipbuilding industry faces strong headwinds amid oversupply and strong competition. But Multiply's website makes it a highly attractive asset.

Subic Bay played a critical role as a supply and maintenance hub for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War and Cold War. Today, geopolitical rivalry centers on South China, with Beijing vying for territory and influence against other claimants such as Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

So when state-backed Chinese companies expressed interest in taking over the yard a few days after Multiply filed for bankruptcy protection, it set off alarm bells in Manila.

Multiply's business is worth $5 billion to $30 billion, and it needs monthly capital of $12 million to continue operations, Philippine officials say. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said he has asked U.S., South Korean, and Japanese shipbuilders to weigh possible involvement.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Companies/Hanjin-shipyard-bankruptcy-poses-dilemma-for-Duterte2

Multiply returns? Current owners looking to bring back the website

Just two in a half years after E-commerce and social networking site Multiply close down last May 6, and ceasing all business operations on May 31, 2013, current owners are staging a comeback and it was similar to AM radio station KZRH (now DZRH) returned to the airwaves on July 1, 1946 and free-to-air TV network ABS-CBN went back on the air on September 14, 1986.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Tuesday that lenders who now own the iconic global E-commerce and social networking site have cancelled plans to auction off the company, according to a bankruptcy court filing acquired by the paper.

According to court papers filed Monday obtained by WSJ, while the company received qualified bids for assets, including the brand name of Multiply and the associated website domain, it has opted to forgo the bankruptcy auction.

Oh said the upcoming holiday season, the first since Multiply closed, will be interesting now that there is a retail gap.

Galt Toys has seen the trend as well.

"Parents are really limited in the amount of time they have and they do shop at home," Oh said.

In a press release, the company says it is moving forward with a plan for the assets to be acquired by a group of investors led by Sun Capital Partners, Inc.'s existing secured lenders.

The transition of the business to its new owners is pending approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court.

So does this mean more Multiply users could soon be on the way?

The current owner of Multiply, say they are "actively working with potential partners to develop ideas for old and new Multiply users that could bring back these iconic brand in a new and re-imagined way."

Multiply says "the company would control a portfolio of intellectual property that includes trademarks, their operations, the international subsidiary Multiply International and the social networking portion including 217 million accounts with hosted blogs, 210 million photos, 237,000 videos and messaging associated with the Multiply business in the United States and all over the world."

Multiply gives you an easy way to share all kinds of digital media, including photos, blogs, videos, music and more, all in one convenient place: your own personal web site. With Multiply, you can share and discuss your stuff with everyone in your “social network,” and also be alerted whenever they have something new.

Your personal web site on Multiply – http://YOURNAME.multiply.com – is the one place where you can share many different types of content. No longer do you, or your friends and family, need to learn how to use separate sites (and keep track of separate IDs, passwords, and links).

The company filed for bankruptcy last June 9, 2014 in the Philippines.

(UPDATED) But due to COVID-19 it was postponed to 2021. Community quarantine was held in Metro Manila and it was locked down until the end of April 2020.

WHAT NATIONALISM?

Suddenly, this word is being nudged into our consciousness and we’ve forgotten what it’s all about. What, honestly and truly, is nationalism?. Okay, the easy answer. It’s love of country. It’s a return to the values of yesteryear when the notion of nation drew us close together, particularly the war years. Fear and loathing of the Japanese invader and occupant. The tramp of his hobnailed boot, the terrors of Fort Santiago. Bataan and Corregidor. The Death March. Filipinos dying by the multitudes. The sword of Dai Nippon plunged ruthlessly into their entrails.

That is the only time I personally remember, outside of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the insurgency against the United States, that many Filipinos were ready and willing to die for this entity called Bayan kong Pilipinas. The Filipino nation. Pilipinas kong mahal. Hundreds of thousands did perish if not a couple of millions. Then and only then did love of country surge into the Filipino soul like molten lava. La patria was the revered fatherland. And a brace of Filipino heroes at the end of the 19th century gave their lives – willingly, courageously, indomitably.

Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.

Today? The songs still rouse us, sometimes. The memories still rouse us, sometimes. The myth of nationalism and nationhood still rouse us, sometimes. But even when it was supposed to resurge like a great redeeming flood, and set out hearts pounding like triphammers – like EDSA I and EDSA II – it just wasn’t there anymore. When we toppled the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the pretender Joseph Estrada, it was not because of nationalism. We swept these two dastards out of power because we hated their guts. We didn’t bring out the flags. We pealed no nationalistic bells. There was no notion of nation streaking to the heights like starshells.

As for the Lupang Hinirang controversy, I say mercy to those who choose famous pop stars to sing the song and then complain.

Ito isa-ulo mo na:

Lupang Hinirang

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay

Lupang hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig,
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw;
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim,

Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi,
Ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo.

Ako ay Pilipino

Ako ay Pilipino

Ang dugo'y maharlika

Likas sa aking puso

Adhikaing kay ganda

Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan

Lantay na Perlas ng Silanganan

Wari'y natipon ang kayamanan

ng Maykapal

Bigay sa 'king talino

Sa mabuti lang laan

Sa aki'y katutubo

Ang maging mapagmahal

Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino

Isang bansa, 'sang diwa

ang minimithi ko

Sa bayan ko't bandila

Laan buhay ko't diwa

Ako ay Pilipino

Pilipinong totoo

Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino

Taas noo kahit kanino

Ang Pilipino ay ako.

Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino

Taas noo kahit kanino

Ang Pilipino ay ako.

Panatang Makabayan

Original version

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan;
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi;
ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan,
upang maging malakas;
maligaya at kapakipakinabang.

Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko
ang payo ng aking mga magulang.
Susundin ko ang mga
tuntunin ng aking paaralan;
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng
isang mamamayang makabayan
at masunurin sa batas.

Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan
nang walang pag-iimbot
at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging
isang tunay na Pilipino
sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

Current version

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,

aking lupang sinilangan,

tahanan ng aking lahi;

kinukupkop at tinutulungan

maging malakas, masipag at marangal.

Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas,

diringgin ko ang payo

ng aking mga magulang,

susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan,

tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin

ng isang mamamayang makabayan:

naglilingkod, nag-aaral at nagdarasal

nang buong katapatan.

Iaalay ko ang aking buhay,

pangarap, pagsisikap

sa bansang Pilipinas.

Problem solved.

isaulo din, flag retreat song

Pilipinas Kong Mahal

Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw

Pilipinas kong mahal

Ang puso ko at buhay man

Sa iyo'y ibibigay

Tungkulin ko'y gagampanan

Na laging kang paglingkuran

Ang laya mo'y babantayan

Pilipinas kong hirang

I swear allegiance (sp) to the flag of the Philippines and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

yes kabisado ko yang lahat.

pero parang iba yang version na yan ng panatang makabayan? it hasn't been that long naman since i graduated from high school. iniba na nila?

yah, iniba nila ng konti.

Ako, kabisadong-kabisado kahit matagal na kong tapos mag-aral. ikaw ba naman kantahin mo araw-araw from elementary to high school di mo pa makabisado, kalokohan naman yun.

Lupang Hinirang, oo. pero yung Panatang Makabayan, hindi na.

How about the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Bandila / Watawat ng Pilipinas?

Ako ay Pilipino buong katapatang nanunumpa sa watawat ng Pilipinas at sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan... blah blah. hindi ko na maalala. :D

I used to memorize the Preamble too...

We the sovereign Filipino people implore the aid of all Mighty God. blah blah...

hays. memory gap.

Pina-exam sa 'min to dati. Medyo nakakalito sya pag iisipin mo lang yung lyrics kaya kailangan pang kantahin nang mahina. Pero medyo nakakalito pa rin kasi mag-isa ka lang. Hehe

yup. kailangan sa school. taun-taon na lang ata pinaparecite simula pa grade 1.

Kabisado ko, except the Ako ay Pilipino which is not usually memorize sa mga eskwelahan na nag-attend ko.

Lupang Hinirang - check!

Ako ay Pilipino - hindi!

Panatang Makabayan - check!

Memorized ko yung Lupang Hinirang tsaka yung old version ng Panatang Makabayan. yung new version, hindi ko man lang alam. College na kasi ako nung napalitang yung Panatang Makabayan, eh hindi naman nirerecite yung nung college na ko.

memorized ko kapag may kasabay ako.

Yup! (Naka-perfect ako sa pambansang awit at panatang makabayan) pero hindi ko po kabisado yung Ako ay Pilipino

At present, it uses the:

ABS-CBN 2, ABS-CBN S+A 23, ANC 24/7, Asianovela Channel, Cinema One, CineMo, DZMM TeleRadyo, Hero, Jeepney TV, Knowledge Channel, Liga, Metro Channel, Movie Central, MYX Global, PIE Channel, YeY, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and MOR 101.9 My Only Radio For Life are using the Philippine National Anthem (produced by ABS-CBN) (2011-2020)

GMA 7, GMA News TV 27, GMA Hallypop, Heart of Asia Channel, I Heart Movies PH, Pinoy Hits Channel, Super Radyo DZBB 594khz, and Barangay LS 97.1 are using the Philippine National Anthem (produced by GMA Network, Inc.) (2013—2015, 2015—present)

PTV 4, RPN 9, ZOE TV 11, PRTV 12, IBC 13, SBN 21, RJTV 29, BEAM TV 31, Light TV - God's Channel of Blessings, DBS 35, UNTV News and Rescue, SMNI 39, Bandera News TV Philippines, Brigada News TV, Golden Nation Network, Hope Channel Philippines and CCTN 47 are using the Philippine National Anthem (produced by BPI) (1994-1998, 2001-2010, 2012-2022)

TV5, One Sports, One News, One PH, 702 DZAS - FEBC Radio, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, DZRV 846, DZAR 1026, 98.7 DZFE-FM | The Master's Touch, DZJV 1458 Radyo CALABARZON, DZME 1530 khz, FEBC Radyo TV, Veritas TV, Life TV, MMDA TV, Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM, Monster RX93.1 and Mellow 94.7 are using the Philippine National Anthem (PCSO, PIA, and OPS) (2003 Version)

NET25, Radyo Agila, Eagle FM 95.5, INC Radio and INC TV are using the Lupang Hinirang by Koro Pilipino (2011-2022)

DZRH TV, K-Lite TV, DZRH, Love Radio Manila, 91.5 Win Radio Manila, Easy Rock Manila, Yes The Best Manila, 102.7 Star FM Manila, and K-Lite 103.5 are using the Lupang Hinirang by Mabuhay Singers

Inquirer 990 Television, Rock Of Manila TV, TV Maria, DZIQ Inquirer Radio 990, DZRB Radyo ng Bayan 738, DZRJ 810 AM - Radyo Bandido TV, DZRM Radyo Magasin, DZSR Sports Radio 918, RMN DZXL 558 Manila, DWBL 1242 RADIO, DWWW 774, AFP Radio DWDD, UNTV Radyo La Verdad, Republika FM1 Manila, iFM 93.9 Manila, 99.5 PLAY FM, RJ100.3FM, FM2 Philippines, Q Radio 105.1, Energy FM 106.7 and Wish 107.5 are using the Lupang Hinirang

Pagkatapos ng Lupang Hinirang, Panatang Makabayan naman, Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas at sa huli Pilipinas Kong Mahal.

tuwing Umaga,kinakanta Ang LUPANG HINIRANG...binibigkas Ang PANATANG MAKABAYAN

eks "naalala ko nung kinakanta natin sa foodcourt to, parang nangingilabot ako dahil sa kagandahan niya. kung ang amerika ang ‘land of milk and honey,’ ayun sa Ang Bayan Ko, ang pilipinas daw ang ‘lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak!’ saan ka pa di ba?!

Rico "Maganda nga ang Ang Bayan Ko. Parang pati ako maluluha. Nakaka-tats!"

emben: "kinanta namin yan nung linggo ng wika nung grade school

sheng "My 3 year old daughter knows this by heart na, hehehe, I just want to push in some patriotic effect for the kid, at least she’ll grow to love the Bayang Magiliw…"

maidapaypay "hahahaha! OMG i was just singing this in the shower the other day!"

louraine "we seldom sing it here na sa work though we are in a government agency hehhehe but sure thing when in movie houses last full show, we proudly sing it loudly. mahal kong Pilipinas"

Dorie Linse "Tama ka, Maharlika, dahil simula ng grade 1 ako 1958 hanggang makatapos ng HS pagkatapos ng bayang magiliw ay panatang makabayan ang kasunod at papasok na sa silid aralan na may tugtog ng River Kwai."

Vien Neib Cie "Naabutan ko yan ... batang 90s ako hehe"

Reymond Mago Defeo "Dahil na din sa pag upgrade daw ng curiculom nabawasan yung pagka makabansa. Ako sa sarili ko dala ko pa hanggang ngayon ang turo ng mga guro na pagka makabansa. Pag papahalaga sa bansa bilang pilipino."

Del T. Blanco "My elementary days,mas magalang ang kabataan,mas may takot sa Diyos ,mas takot gumawa ng kalokohan pero mas masaya mababa pa ang mga krimen,kahit kamote at kamoteng kahoy ang tanghalian masaya na😃panahong kaunting bagay na naumit o ninakaw ng kaklase napakalaking kahihiyan na ng pamilya at magulang kung anak nila ang involve"

Feds Santos "👍🏻👊🏻 at yung mag exercise tayo tuwing umaga😁"

Lucy de Ocampo "Karamihan sa ngayun di na nga alam yang panatang makabayan. kami noon pagkatapos kantahin ang lupang hinirang kasunod naman panatang makabayan .. ganun din mga anak ko kung saan sila nag-aaral . ngaun iba na nagkatuon at abala ang ibang nasa gobyerno sa pagnanakaw, pangungurakot ..di nla alam kung ano kahulugan ng mga salita sa panatang makabayan .."

Armando Lalog Jr. "After FEM walang ginawa mga aquino at ibapa kung hindi magnakaw at sisihin si marcos."

Noel Mar "Kasi daw po ang yellow Democracy is a road to success!!!!!! Ay Syett ... road to hell pala to the filipinos .... but a luxurious living for the oligarchs!!!! ..... More Business and free of taxes... and you can spread fake news... get a good looking actor and actress ... promote their deceitful propaganda!!! And the best of them all , you have the holy shit.... Priests, bishops , Cardinals... who mix politics with religions, and sometimes make their homily not based on the Bible but lies and hypocrisy... to defend the oligarchs who probably donates large monetary amount and high valuable gifts.... what the hell to Yellow Democracy.... tinarantado nila ang bayan!!!!!"

Maria Koro "Ibang iba na talaga ngayon hindi nayan binibigkas sa school paano naman pati din Teacher ay adik narin yung iba"

Tita Nepomuceno "I think the panata has been reworded, although hindi ko alam ano yung mga pinalitan. Honestly memorized ko pa sya hanggang ngayon, dahil siguro i have Internalized it, naisa-puso ko na. Hindi na rin araw-araw na nagpa-flag ceremony in most schools, if ever lunes na lang at biernes. Lunes itinataas ang bandila, at biernes ibinababa. Dapat ngang ibalik yan flag ceremony araw-araw at ang recitation ng panatang makabayan. Sa araw araw at paulit ulit na pagre-recite, nai-internalize ng bata eventually nai-inculcate yung patriotism. Ewan ko ba sa DepEd, ang daming inalis sa curriculum, procedures and practices. Then marami ipinasok sa curriculum na hindi kailangan, while yung kailangan, inalis. Yan mga nasa DepEd kasi may mga masters at doctorate so habang nagaaral ang tao, nagiging matalino sa libro, bobo sa practical side of life.

Maharlika "Tita Nepomuceno tama po . Kaya nga dapat ang pinupwesto sa Dep-Ed ay may pagmamahal sa bayan at pahahalagahan ang edukasyon. Kailangan natin hubugin ang kabataan sa unang araw pa lang na pagpasok sa eskwelahan pati mga magulang kailangan i orient o seminar kung paano isapuso at isabuhay ang mga nabanggit sa Panatang Makabayan, Panunumpa sa watawat at sa Lupang Hinirang . Kumbaga i ukit sa kanilang puso at isipan para dala-dala nila hanggang sa paglaki nila at maging responsableng mamayan sila."

Tita Nepomuceno "Yet kung napansin nyo Ms. Maharlika at mga kababayan, sa report card ng mga bata, may rating sa “patriotism”. Nung nakita ko yon noon, immediately ang reaction ko —paano nila ni-rate yung bata? how did the child demonstrated yung patriotism nya? anong pinagbasehan nung teacher sa grade o assessment nya nun?"

Antilegando Lacida Wilmita "Tama po mam Daming inalis, tapos shortened ang time ng students puro pera nasa ulo ng most school, bayad, donations kuno pero nagbabanggit ng amount at eto ay a must for every student, they shortened the time pero amount ng TF tumaas, they should be monitored! They don't learned much already kasi puro pera lang ang gusto ng school, They even call themselves Chistian school pero may ari mismo walang modo di marunong magbabayad ng utang!!!"

Deo Deo "Yes yong katipunero ang isip,salita at gawa...huwag yong makaliwa at wlang paki sa pinas..."

Emmanuel Padilla "Tita Nepomuceno pinalitan yan pag upo yan ni cory 1986 pinalitan lahat pati constitution ginawa na sila lang mga dilawan ang makikinabang pati DepEd ay binago yung mga original na curriculom noon araw araw ay msy flag ceremony at flag retreat yung preamble nga ay pinapamemorize pa sa amin sa subject ss college noon na Phol. Constitution kahit anong course ang iyong kinukha ay meron"

Choling DG Ingeniero Tita Nepomuceno "true"

Josie De Silva Ignacio Tita Nepomuceno "oh ganun po? Wala ng flag raising every morning??? "

Marla Dumbrique Kabisado ko pa ,minsan kung akoy nag iisa yan ang binibigkas ko ang Panatang makabayan

Erna Delacruz “Noong elementary school kinakanta namin yang baayaang magiliw at lupang hinirang sa labas ng school nakatapat sa watawat ng pilipinas habang inaakyat ang watawat nakatingin ang mga bata at ang kamay kanan nakahawak sa baba ng puso sa kaliwa”

Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "Ako, tuwing nakakarinig ako ng tugtog ng Lupang Hinirang, ang Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas, ako'y umiiyak. Marami na kaseng mga kabataan ngayon na hindi marunong gumalang sa ating bandila pag itinataas. Sana, maturuuan sila."

Justina Marcelo Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "pag nag Pambansang Awit na Lupang Hinirang lahat tumitigil at may paggalang ng naklagay ang ating kanan kamay sa dibdib, at pagkatapos bigkasin ang panunumpa dapat maibalik ang pagkilala natin sa ating bansang Pilipinas, marami kabataan ang hindi na alam at nawala na rin paggalang at walang paki sa kalinisan, kalikasan. sana mabalik na rin ang GMRC”

Rey Caba Justina Marcelo “tama po kayo dati panahon ni pangulong ferdinand marcos sr. kapag narinig ang lupang hinirang lahat humihinto pati sasakyan inaantay matapos ang awit bago uli aarangkada ang mga tao at sasakyan”

Ernie Abordo Jr. “Noong una kahit wala ka sa loob ng eskwelahan at napadaan ka lang kapag narinig mo ng kumakanta ng lupang hinirang titigil ka sa paglalakad at tatapusin mo muna ang kanta bago ka ulit lumakad yan ay bilang paggalang natin sa ating inang bayan”

Cordova Villamor "Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay. Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa may di magdidilim; Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo; aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi ang mamatay ng dahil sa’yo.

Panatang Makabayan iniibig ko ang Pilipinas, ito ang aking lupang sinilangan, ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulongan upang maging malakas maligaya at kapakipakinabang bilang ganti ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang susundin ko ang mga alituntonin ng aking Paaralan tutuparin ko ang mga tungkolin ng isang mamamayang Makabayan at masunurin sa batas. Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip sa salita at sa gawa.”

John N. Retuerto: “buti pa sa sinehan... bago magsimula ang palabas... tatayo muna at kinakanta ang Lupang Hinirang...”

Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "Ibalik dapat ang dating kaugaliang pagkanta at pag awit ng (Lupang Hinirang), at ibalik din ang Panatang Makabayan... Kay ganda noong araw sa panahon ni late apo lakay marcos, pagtungtong ng mga epal at mga anay sa lipunang mga oligarkiya, mga aquino.. nawala na ang mga kagawiang kanta awit at panatang makabayan.. pati mga lessons ng history ay toloyan ng inalis nila, pura bulagin ang mga mag aaral maging mga guro sa tunay at diwa ng kalahagahan nito.. Sana ngayon new administration ay mabalik na ang dating nakagawian ang pagkanta araw-araw ng (Lupang Hinirang) at pagbigkas ng (Panatang Makabayan) at (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) sa mga paaralan tuwing umaga..at flag retreat naman sa tuwing hapon.."

Charline Villafuerte Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "at kapag napadaan ka sa eskwelahan na inaawit ang lupang hinirang kailangan huminto at magbigay galang habang inaawit ito"

Charline Villafuerte "korek po at tama po talaga kayo maam.. sagad sa mga pangaral ang mga kabataang mag aaral noong unang mga nakaraang panahon, kay gandang isipin at gunitaing muli... kaya ang panawagan ng ating bagong halal na pangulong BBM, ibalik at sama sama tayong babangun muli... at taas noo kahit kanino..."

Ronaldo Sigua "Sa elementarya ngayon hindi kinakanta yan lupang hinirang sa loob ng kwarto araw-araw sabi ng anak ko tuwing lunes na lang... Kaya mga elementarya dapat din kabisado ang lyrics until now. Sana sa mga guro kahit bawal mag flag ceremony sa labas kahit sa loob ng classroom na lang araw arawin sana ang pagkanta ng lupang hinirang..."

Anila De Juan "Dapat isabatas na kapag tumutugtog at tinataas ang watawat kahit saang ĺugar dapat huminto ang mga tao at mga sasakyan"

Mico Cangmaong "Araw araw may flag ceremony at inaawit ang Pambansang Awit LUPANG HINIRANG pero sayang wala maintindihi ang Message sa flag at awit, ngayon binaloktot na ang kanilang tungkolin sa bayan, Protect the People Secure the Sovereignty of the State and the Integrity of the National Territory, wala binuboli na ang ating bansa sa China"

Vikki Reyes Pornobi "Di nga nahinto ang mga tao sa paglakad at pati mga sasakyan tuwing flag ceremony di pinapansin... in short nawala na ang pggalang"

Isaac Mamucud "noon kami ang nasa elementarya sa labas kinakanta namin ang lupang hinirang at yung panatang makabayan, kung nasaan ang flag pole sa umaga itaas ang bandila araw-araw"

Nenita Torres Isaac Mamucud "Umaga at hapon Yan kinakanta, at yong flag, hindi Yan pinaulanan, tubing hapon ibinaba at ilagay sa lalagyan,"

Isaac Mamucud Nenita Torres "tama po kayo,pag tag ulan nakasabit sa harapan ng iskwelahan na di nababasa ng ulan"

Ronaldo Sigua Nenita Torres "ewan ko nga po bkit hindi na pinagagawa ng teacher ngaun yan... sila dapat nakaka alam ng ganyan para ipagawa sa ating mga anak,,hindi na tao dapat pang ipaaalala pa sa kanila matik na dapat,,"

Jenneth Rojas Nenita Torres "pag di ka naka attend ng flag ceremony, late ka"

Isaac Mamucud Jenneth Rojas "kaya nga po,maaga kming pumapasok noon 7am time na 6am nasa school na kami."

Ronaldo Sigua Isaac Mamucud "principal at guro po dapat ang nagpapatupad ngaun nian sa skwelahan,,mukang nkalimutan npo na nila yan pag galng nayan,,, Cguro nmn ung mga teacher na ngaun ay inabot pa nila ung mga gawain na yan,, So bakit hindi nila pinagpapatuloy ang ganyang paggalang sa ating watawat,, 

Isaac Mamucud Ronaldo Sigua principal at teacher lahat nasa harapan kasama mga estyudante nila, napapansin ko ngayon may kinder, may prep pa may K-12 ang iq nila parang bumababa napapansin ko lang.

Ligaya Rivera "kami noon daily morning ang hapon . paggrde 6 schedule nang pupils magpataas at pababa nang saka pagfold fold nang bandera pupils assigned pagbeat ng pambansing awit (Lupang Hinirang) at iba naman ang sa panatang makabayan. Kaya almost 100 percent pupils summarized nila lahat. Grabe ang deciplina noon"

니노 Ligaya Rivera "baka memorized. Pero totoo"

Zenaida Leah Mateo "Tama Po sana ibalik yung pagkanta tuwing umaga ang pambansang awit at sa panatang makabayan. Kasi hindi na alam ng mga bata kantahin. Nakakahiya!"

Joon Bena Ligaya Rivera "memorize po, tama po kayo"

We look at our leaders, our politicians. We don’t see nationalism writ on their faces. What we see is pork barrel. What we see is the pigoty. What we see is power hoisted to the pedestal of Bacchus, Mars and the tinkle-twinkle thunder of a Thor turned traitor.

And so we must explain what nationalism is about all over again. we must go back to its beginnings, pull out its roots, and tell our countrymen to gather at campfires all over the country. So we can recharge as Filipinos, recharge as a nation. The battles we will have to fight right ahead will need the torches of nationalism to light the way. We had rainbows at both EDSAS, but they had no nationalistic booster rockets. And so we lost our way again. With nationalism both as a guiding flare and ideological rocket, the fights ahead will be daunting. But God willing, we shall overcome.

So we start with the basics. Hang on. This will take some time.

It’s a strange, macabre twist of our history that the first deadly lance flung to defend – that is the perception – our archipelago from foreign invasion as that of Lapu-Lapu into the heart of the Spanish conquistador Ferdinand Magellan. At the time, the archipelago was not a nation. It was a sun-drenched splinter of thousands of islands. What they had in common was a tribal culture, hundreds if not thousands of independent fiefdoms engaged in all kinds of trade, primitive agriculture, fishery, handicraft, and widespread piracy.

Strange again, and macabre again. Magellan’s conquest of the Philippines, coupled with the advent of the Roman Catholic cross, eventually transformed, through colonization, this archipelago into a nation. The sword and the cross made sure the archipelago came into the imperial possession of Spain, named Las Islas Filipinas after King Philip.

A nation we may have been through imperial decree. But Filipinos we were not.

We became Filipinos only through colonial exploitation. We became Filipinos because we learned to protest, resist and fight, to band together in fear and in hate of the brutal conqueror. We became Filipinos because the few learned among us, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Luna brothers et al, gave flesh and bone to the word indio. We became Filipinos because we created La Liga Filipina, the Katipunan, and waged the revolution against Spain. We became Filipinos because we fashioned our own national flag, and splattered it with indio blood. We earned through our heroism the admiration of our colonized peers in Asia. We proclaimed the first republic in the continent. We showed everybody what patriotism was. What courage was.

Thus, was a nation born. Thus, was nationalism born.

But we have to go far back in history to get the kind of grip we Filipinos need on this modern phenomenon of nation and nationalism. Long before, after Anno Domini set in, there was the universal church in the West. The Roman Catholic Church had absolute dominion. Obeisance to the Pope and the Vatica was writ on every Western tablet. Then the dynasties came. There were the Normans, the Pantagenets, the Stuarts and the Tudors in England. There were the Romanov dynasty in Russia, the Hohenzollerns in Germany, the Bourbons in France, the House of Savoy in Italy.

As they spread through conquest and accumulation of riches and property, the dynasties started to weaken the hold of the universal Church. Out of these dynasties emerged the kingdoms, the monarchical states. As these states became more centralized, more powerful and extensive, the bedrock of the nation started to come into being. The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, after the 80 Years War and the 30 Years War, recognized the territorial sovereignty of the states.

Thus the nation-state was born. Thus began the meltdown of empires. Thus began, as the great Arab historian Ibn Khaldun said, "the mutual affection and willingness of a people to fight and die for each other."

Listen to this. Nationalism was generally expressed by the leaders, the intellectual elite, the writers, the professionals, the middle class, the studentry and the youth. Only much later on did the masses get into the picture with not too much emotion. It was in France and England where nationalism initially took deep and unshakeable root. This was the France which shook the world with its "liberte, egalite, fraternite" revolution of 1789. This was the England where Oliver Cromwell held kings by their pantaloons and drove the fear of God into their thrones.

The best definition of nation was articulated by Ernest Renan of the Sorbonne in 1882: "A nation is a soul, a spiritual principle, two things which are in reality...one. One is the common heritage of a people of a rich heritage of memories, the other is the actual agreemment, the desire to live together, the will to continue to make a reality of the heritage they have received in common."

Now take heed. It was only in the 20th century when the principles of nation and nationalism reached Asia. And upon reaching Asia, (whose colonial chains were then being broken) spread into so many explosions of nation-consciousness. This was certainly a reaction against the abuses and excesses of Western colonialism, as it was a reiteration of Asia’s earlier glory as the origin of the world’s great religions and great civilizations.

Unlike the Philippines, much of Asia could look back thousands of years and hoist the glitter of a myriad cultures, a myriad achievements in war and literature, philosophy and industry, architecture and the arts, science and technology. This also probably explains why many countries in Asia – again not the Philippines – took to nationalism like long-concealed thunderbolts of energy to make up for lost time. To survive, to make themselves again proud in and of their new nationhood, they had to study, learn and master the science and technology of the West.

That was the only way they could subjugate poverty. Restore dignity to their peoples. The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. That first step bolted like a screaming bullet out of the starting block. They have been sprinting like mad ever since. We Filipinos remain stuck in a stupor and lethargy we must annihilate.

We move or we die. We embrace the flag, and swift like a stampede across the vast plains of nationalism or we die.

We were born Filipinos. Now we must learn to be Filipinos. We must immerse ourselves into a changed and dynamic culture. For culture is never permanently fixed, never frozen. Like the Japanese, like the Koreans, like the Malaysians, we must care, we must hustle, we must be proud. we must learn. We must work hard. Science and technology were never the monopoly of anybody, any nation, any civilization. We have to grab them.

The permanent care-givers of the world we are not. Neither are we the muchachos and the muchachas, the utos and the utusans. And certainly, we are not the yukis of Asia – Japayukis, or Chekwayukis or whatnot.

The Filipino can? Yes, the Filipino can. If he wakes up and embraces the noblest sentiment of them all – nationalism.