Reprinted from The Philippine Star, June 12, 2009 issue.
Today is Independence Day. Some historians continue to argue on whether the date should be June 12 or July 4 but us ordinary mortals couldn’t really care less. We are all grateful for the holiday and joyfully relish the fact that it is on a weekend this year. Still it will be good for us to give some thought to our country and to what has been happening to the Philippines. Take note I said “to,” not “in.” That means what politicians, businessmen and others in power are doing to this country. Yuck!
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.
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.
This happened with Mga Kababayan Ko by Francis M, which was the first rap song to hit No. 1 in the Philippines. “Mga kababayan ko/dapat lang malaman nyo/ bilib ako sa kulay ko/ako ay Pilipino/kung may itim o may puti/mayro’n namang kayumanggi/isipin mo na kaya mong/abutin ang ‘yong minimithi.”
The prolific George Canseco came out with a meaningful Ako Ay Pilipino. “Ako ay Pilipino/Ako ay Pilipino/isang bansa isang 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.”
Today is Independence Day. Some historians continue to argue on whether the date should be June 12 or July 4 but us ordinary mortals couldn’t really care less. We are all grateful for the holiday and joyfully relish the fact that it is on a weekend this year. Still it will be good for us to give some thought to our country and to what has been happening to the Philippines. Take note I said “to,” not “in.” That means what politicians, businessmen and others in power are doing to this country. Yuck!
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.
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" Ruben Tagalog/Freddie Aguilar/Lea Salonga Version
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig na 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
CHORUS
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya
AD LIB
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya
This happened with Mga Kababayan Ko by Francis M, which was the first rap song to hit No. 1 in the Philippines. “Mga kababayan ko/dapat lang malaman nyo/ bilib ako sa kulay ko/ako ay Pilipino/kung may itim o may puti/mayro’n namang kayumanggi/isipin mo na kaya mong/abutin ang ‘yong minimithi.”
The prolific George Canseco came out with a meaningful Ako Ay Pilipino. “Ako ay Pilipino/Ako ay Pilipino/isang bansa isang 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" (Kuh Ledesma/Sharon Cuneta version)
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
CHORUS:
Ako ay Pilipino,
Ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa isang 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!
Florante’s take on what’s to be proud of being Pinoy was light and folksy in Ako’y Isang Pinoy: “Ako’y isang Pinoy sa puso’t diwa/Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa/ako’y hindi sanay sa wikang mga banyaga/ako’y Pinoy na mayroong sariling wika.”
Manny Pacquiao’s every victory in the ring saw his song Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban na ‘To written by Lito Camo getting massive airplay. It dedicates every victory to his country and is also about pride in being a Filipino: Para sa ‘yo ang laban na to/di ako susuko/isisigaw ko sa mundo/Pinoy ang lahi ko/mahal ko ang bayan ko/para sa ‘yo bayan ko.”
Heber Bartolome and his Banyuhay go for the looks, language and the soul of being a Filipino in hisTayo’y Mga Pinoy: “Bakit kaya tayo ay ganito/bakit nanggagaya, mayro’n naman tayo/tayo’y mga Pinoy, tayo’y hindi kano/wag kang mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango.”
Who can forget how the whole country sang and swayed to the infectious rhythm of Pinoy Ako by Orange & Lemons: Pinoy, ikaw ay Pinoy ipakita sa mundo/kung ano ang kaya mo/ibang-iba ang Pinoy/huwag kang matatakot/ipagmalaki mo/Pinoy ako/Pinoy tayo.
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
CHORUS:
Ako ay Pilipino,
Ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa isang 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!
Florante’s take on what’s to be proud of being Pinoy was light and folksy in Ako’y Isang Pinoy: “Ako’y isang Pinoy sa puso’t diwa/Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa/ako’y hindi sanay sa wikang mga banyaga/ako’y Pinoy na mayroong sariling wika.”
Manny Pacquiao’s every victory in the ring saw his song Para Sa ‘Yo Ang Laban na ‘To written by Lito Camo getting massive airplay. It dedicates every victory to his country and is also about pride in being a Filipino: Para sa ‘yo ang laban na to/di ako susuko/isisigaw ko sa mundo/Pinoy ang lahi ko/mahal ko ang bayan ko/para sa ‘yo bayan ko.”
Heber Bartolome and his Banyuhay go for the looks, language and the soul of being a Filipino in hisTayo’y Mga Pinoy: “Bakit kaya tayo ay ganito/bakit nanggagaya, mayro’n naman tayo/tayo’y mga Pinoy, tayo’y hindi kano/wag kang mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango.”
Who can forget how the whole country sang and swayed to the infectious rhythm of Pinoy Ako by Orange & Lemons: Pinoy, ikaw ay Pinoy ipakita sa mundo/kung ano ang kaya mo/ibang-iba ang Pinoy/huwag kang matatakot/ipagmalaki mo/Pinoy ako/Pinoy tayo.
The Kapamilyas all over the Philippines for the longest-running reality show known as "Pinoy Big Brother" or "PBB" since first aired on August 21, 2005 (season 1).
"Pinoy Ako" by Oranges and Lemons
Lahat tayo mayroon pagkakaiba sa tingin pa lang ay makikita na
Iba’t ibang kagustuhan ngunit iisang patutunguhan
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo
Magbibigay ng halaga sa iyo
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga
Chorus:
Pinoy ikaw ay pinoy
Ipakita sa mundo
Kung ano ang kaya mo
Ibang-iba ang pinoy
Wag kang matatakot
Ipagmalaki mo pinoy ako
Pinoy tayo
‘Pakita mo ang tunay at kung sino ka
Mayro’n mang masama at maganda
Wala naman perpekto
Basta magpakatotoo oohh… oohh…
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo
Magbibigay ng halaga sa iyo
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga
[chorus]
Talagang ganyan ang buhay
Dapat ka nang masanay
Wala rin mangyayari
Kung laging nakikibagay
Ipakilala ang iyong sarili
Ano man sa iyo ay mangyayari
Ang lagi mong iisipin
Kayang kayang gawin
[chorus]
And as Bamboo so successfully proved in Noypi, the patriotic Pinoy artist can also rock hard. “Hoy Pinoy ako/buo ang aking loob/may agimat ang dugo ko/hoy, Pinoy ako/may agimat ang dugo ko.”
However, until now, The Christian Bautista (forgotten lyrics) and Martin Nievera (wrong beat) fiascos over the singing of the National Anthem raised a lot of discussions and brought a little-known law to the public’s attention. Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines prescribes the proper way to display the Philippine flag and to sing the Lupang Hinirang. It also prescribes penalties for failure or refusal to observe the provisions of the law.
Lahat tayo mayroon pagkakaiba sa tingin pa lang ay makikita na
Iba’t ibang kagustuhan ngunit iisang patutunguhan
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo
Magbibigay ng halaga sa iyo
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga
Chorus:
Pinoy ikaw ay pinoy
Ipakita sa mundo
Kung ano ang kaya mo
Ibang-iba ang pinoy
Wag kang matatakot
Ipagmalaki mo pinoy ako
Pinoy tayo
‘Pakita mo ang tunay at kung sino ka
Mayro’n mang masama at maganda
Wala naman perpekto
Basta magpakatotoo oohh… oohh…
Gabay at pagmamahal ang hanap mo
Magbibigay ng halaga sa iyo
Nais mong ipakilala kung sino ka man talaga
[chorus]
Talagang ganyan ang buhay
Dapat ka nang masanay
Wala rin mangyayari
Kung laging nakikibagay
Ipakilala ang iyong sarili
Ano man sa iyo ay mangyayari
Ang lagi mong iisipin
Kayang kayang gawin
[chorus]
And as Bamboo so successfully proved in Noypi, the patriotic Pinoy artist can also rock hard. “Hoy Pinoy ako/buo ang aking loob/may agimat ang dugo ko/hoy, Pinoy ako/may agimat ang dugo ko.”
Republic Act Number 8,491 provides that the rendition of the national anthem entitled Lupang Hinirang, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.
Felipe is the original music arranger of Lupang Hinirang in 1898. It has tune of march and the lyrics was adapted from the Spanish poem “Filipinas” written by Jose Velasquez-Palma only in 1899.
Under Section 48 of RA 8491, “failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act and any violation of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President, after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”
Further, Section 50 states that “any person or juridical entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P20,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.”
Felipe is the original music arranger of Lupang Hinirang in 1898. It has tune of march and the lyrics was adapted from the Spanish poem “Filipinas” written by Jose Velasquez-Palma only in 1899.
Further, Section 50 states that “any person or juridical entity which violates any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P20,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.”
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