Law on the Philippine National Anthem

From September 2007 to March 2010, the Philippines was abuzz about Christian Bautista, Martin Nievera, La Diva and Arnel Pineda’s rendition of the national anthem before the the exhibition match of Gerry Peñalosa and Bernabe Concepcion  and Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey boxing matches in the United States. A few commentators opined that his take on the song was a violation of Philippine law, specifically Section 37 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines (R.A. 8491).

Sa tuwing may laban si Manny Pacquiao, flag ceremony sa mga paaralan, bago ang pagbubukas ng oras ng trabaho at nagtatapos ang trabaho ng mga emplyeado sa mga opisina at SONA ng Pangulo, pirme na lang ang kontrobersya ang pag-awit sa Lupang Hinirang.

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Republic Act No. 8491

AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES

. . .

CHAPTER II

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Section 35. The National Anthem is entitled Lupang Hinirang.

Sec. 36. The National Anthem shall always be sung in the national language within or without the country. The following shall be the lyrics of the National Anthem:

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 iyo.

Sec. 37. The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT AND COMPOSITION OF JULIAN FELIPE, IN 2/4 BEAT WHEN PLAYED; AND WITHIN THE RANGE OF 100 TO 120 METRONOME, IN 4/4 BEAT WHEN SUNG. THE NHI, IN COORDINATION WITH THE PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCY, SHALL DISSEMINATE AN OFFICIAL MUSIC SCORE SHEET THAT REFLECTS THE MANNER IN WHICH THE NATIONAL ANTHEM SHOULD BE PLAYED OR SUNG.

Sec. 38. When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or THROUGH THE PLAYING OF A RECORDING IN ANY FORMAT, the attending public shall sing the NATIONAL anthem. The singing SHALL BE MANDATORY AND must be done with fervor.

As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests. Those in military, scouting, citizens military training and security guard uniforms shall give the salute prescribed by their regulations. The salute shall be completed upon the last note of the anthem.

Individuals whose faith or religious beliefs prohibit them from making such pledge must, nonetheless, show full respect when the pledge is being rendered by standing at attention.

The national anthem shall not be played and sung preceding events of mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes except on the following occasions:

a) International competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; b) national or local sports competitions; c) During the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; d) Before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; and e) Other occasions as may be allowed by the NHI.

Sec. 39. All officials and employees of the national and local government, and any agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, privately-owned entities or offices displaying the national flag and government institutions of learning are hereby directed to comply strictly with the rules prescribed for the rendition of the anthem. Failure to observe the rules shall be a ground for administrative discipline.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

“We have to follow the law, and our law is very categorical (on this). In singing the national anthem, you have to follow the arrangement of Julian Felipe, the original copy of which is officially kept at the National Library of the Philippines, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome in 4/4 beat when sang,” he said.

In the spirit of Araw ng Kalayaan as well for next week, Timow’s Turf will tackle over that aspect in detail for each network. Bear in mind that this does count MVs that is aired for seasonal purposes such as Women’s Month provided by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) last March.

According to networks

ABS-CBN

Prior to the network's version, from January 1, 1991 to December 30, 1994, it used the version of the Philippine National Anthem produced by Philippine Airlines, also used for PTV-4, GMA-7 and Islands TV/IBC-13 [except New Vision 9]. During the time of President Marcos, maestro Lucio San Pedro made an arrangement of Lupang Hinirang which was so different from the original. It was a beautiful arrangement. Nobody complained. It was played in movie theaters before the screening and people had to stand up for a long time because it was very long. I'm sure some of you still remember this.

From December 30, 1994 to May 31, 1998, the successor of the version of the Philippine National Anthem produced by Philippine Airlines was the version of the Philippine National Anthem produced by BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands), used for this station, along with PTV-4, ABC-5, RPN-9 (RPN, The Network/RPN) and IBC-13 (Pinoy ang Dating, IBC), also used for sister channel Studio 23 from October 12, 1996 to May 31, 1998 and rival GMA-7 until August 22, 2010.

From June 1, 1998 to June 11, 2000, it used the 1998 Centennial version produced by DYR-Alcantara and Production Village Corporation, also used on Knowledge Channel until 2012.

In mid-2000s, the network decided to create their in-house concept with the circle of their talents and ordinary people sang the anthem. However, some recognized faces were no longer connected with Mother Ignacia such as Willie Revillame (due to his tarnished reputation) and Dolphy (when he signed the deal with TV5).

However, stars come and go – few but significantly big, especially Ai-Ai de las Alas and Kris Aquino. When both of them ended their contracts, Vice Ganda took Ai-Ai’s place but Kris’ scene remained intact.

Now, with KathNiel, LizQuen, love teams formed from Pinoy Big Brother (e.g. BaiLona, MayWard), The Voice finalists, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano child stars like Xymon Ezekiel “Onyok” Pineda and McNeal “Makmak / Awra” Briguela joined in their ever-expanding roster of exclusive talents, they really need a massive update.

Despite this, such visual version of the national anthem is very popular and is played in major cinemas nationwide — except SM, perhaps — before the initial and final full film screenings of the day.

GMA

This network reportedly proposed a freestyle rendition of the anthem by their exclusive stars in the 1990s but due to the prevailing law, it was shelved and instead played the 1994 PNA video from BPI.

They don’t have their own concept until August 22, 2010 when they showcase the pantheon of historical heroes portrayed by their veteran stars.

On April 9, 2013 (after 24 Oras), they ditched it in favor of how heroes can inspire ordinary Filipinos towards nation building.

The current edition (since Jan. 1, 2016) emphasizes on posterity as the hope for the country’s future.

After the anthem, all editions end their concept with their network’s audio jingle — the first being in full and the second and third edition being abridged. The present edition tracked the centerpiece globe of SM Mall of Asia, hinting that such mall and other SM malls around the country used this version on their silver screens before showing the GMA Network Center.

TV5

Since their reform last August 2008 from ABC 5, they still aired the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo-era PNA MV where they emphasize the “Strong Republic” agenda until now due to their laziness.

CNN Philippines

Only aired on free TV, the vocal-less MV’s visual concept is focused on each of the eight provinces — reflected in the rays of the sun in the flag — with their untold, distinct, significant and contributory part of the Philippine Revolution that’s not commonly found on general history books.

Note the ending scene has the vertical orientation of the flag under war mode (i.e. red field on observer’s left and blue on right). It can be interpreted either as intentional (due to historical gist) or unintentional (an error from the creators).

RPN Davao


Since thier reform last January 2008 from C/S on RPN they still aired the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo-era PNA MV where they emphasize the "Strong Republic" agenda until now due to the laziness

PTV

Since the end of the Gloria years in 2010, their PNA version with the “Strong Republic” concept was deemed unfit unlike the earlier-mentioned TV5. They modestly added then-President Noynoy Aquino’s picture and quote after her, covering the predecessor’s agenda.

Because of their laziness and deterrence to produce a new concept, they regressed to the BPI version and is still playing today under the succeeding and present Duterte administration.

IBC

The current PNA music video that aired over the barely recognizable network was made under former President Noynoy Aquino’s communication team; simply put, their concept is a hodgepodge seam of old and new clips.

Going into details, it’s an assortment of videos and pictures from CRT monitors, nearly outdated military assets, Sarah Geronimo’s Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan to monuments.

Since the guards have been changed for 11 months now, no motive will still replace the PNA concept – a reflection of how sloth and broke Old Balara is.

Net 25

Using the Koro Filipino’s rendition, their version is simply a mix of Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifaco and natural beauty.

Light Network

The first digital-only TV channel uses the government-approved Centennial version in 1998 — apparently placed for nostalgic purposes during their pioneer years as ZOE Broadcasting Network on then Channel 11.

Knowledge Channel

The educational cable and satellite TV channel uses the fully animated music video of the Philippine National Anthem performed by the Radioactive Sago Project and produced by NHCP (formerly NHI) and Rock Ed Philippines.

Source: http://congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_14/hbt06424.pdf "AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8491 ENTITLED, “AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES" and https://www.facebook.com/notes/skycable-memories/detailing-the-lupang-hinirang-music-videos-found-on-phtv/1325242364263967/?comment_id=1441111856010350&notif_id=1506980841683751&notif_t=feed_comment