Sunday, July 2, 2017

Rodriguez: House bill provides correct rendition of the national anthem

It does not matter whether you can’t sing it in perfect tune or you mispronounce wording due to speech defect, the important consideration in singing the Philippine national anthem is to do it with passion and pride as a Filipino.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Maximo Rodriguez aired this statement as he clarified reports claiming that the recently approved House Bill (H.B.) 5224 prohibits the “out-of-tune” singing of “Lupang Hinirang,’’ the country’s national anthem.

“Being sintunado (out-of- tune) is not intentional.  It is not a violation of the provisions of the bill,” stressed Rodriguez, principal author of HB 5224.

Rodriguez and other coauthors of the bill come under fire after media reports claimed that HB 5224 proposes to penalize any person who shall sing the national anthem in the wrong tune.

The veteran Mindanao lawmaker corrected media by pointing out that what is provided under the bill is the correct rendition of the anthem which 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 sang.

Approved on third and final reading last month, HB 5224 provides that the singing of the anthem “shall be mandatory and must be done with fervor.”

“The rationale is a higher plain of appreciation in the singing, showing the feeling of sincerity and patriotism. After all, this is one country that for a moment in singing should exude our love,” said Rodriguez.

The Lower House passed the legislative measure for the fourth time since it was first proposed during the 14th Congress, reportedly by Rodriguez and his brother, then Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Passed by the chamber during the 14th, 15th, 16th and now the 17th Congress, HB 5224 or the proposed Revised Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines embodies in House Bill 5224 seeks to repeal Republic Act 8491.

Rodriguez aired hope that the Lower House’s early approval of the measure would convince senators to act on the bill.

Co-authors included Representatives Anna Katrina Enverga (NPC, Quezon); Ron Salo (Kabayan Partylist); Mark Go (PDP-Laban, BaguioCity); Luisa Lloren Cuaresma (NPC, Nueva Ecija); Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (NPC, Pangasinan); and Christopher De Venecia (PDP-Laban, Pangasinan).

H.B. 5224 overhauled RA 8491 “in the light of contemporary changes in attitudes and idioms” in the country.  It seeks to promote love of country and underscore the importance of complying with stand expressions of respect for national symbols, said Rodriguez.

The proposed measure also resolved controversies affecting beliefs and traditions of certain religious faiths.

Under the bill, believers of such religions that prohibited them from singing the national anthem must “nonetheless, show full respect by “standing at attention.”

It also prohibits the playing of the anthem preceding events of “mere recreation, amusement or entertainment purposes,” except in international competitions hosted by the Philippines or where it has a delegate; national or local sports competitions, signing off and signing on of radio and television broadcast stations, 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 other occasions as may be allowed by the NHCP.

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.

The national anthem shall be sung in its original composition in Filipino. If performed in other languages and dialects within the Philippines, approval of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in consultation with the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.