The past Manny Pacquiao fights highlighted the widely-accepted, but inappropriate way of singing the Lupang Hinirang - as a hymn. The Philippine National Anthem is not a hymn but a military march, meaning you can march to it at 120 steps a minute.
Composed by Julian Felipe and presented to General Emilio Aguinaldo on 11 June 1898 as the Marcha Filipina Magdalo, it was adopted by the Revolutionary Army as its official march. In the declaration of Philippine Independence the following day, it was played by the San Francisco de Malabon Marching Band as the Marcha National Filipina while the Philippine flag was unfurled.
For more than a year, the march remained without lyrics. In August 1899, Jose Palma, a soldier-poet and brother of Dr. Rafael Palma, submitted Filipina, a poem that later became the lyrics of the Marcha Nacional Filipina.
It was not until the 1940s that Filipino translations started appearing. Finally, during the term of President Ramon Magsaysay, Education Secretary Gregorio Hernandez formed a commission to come up with an official Filipino version.
On May 26, 1956, the National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang, was finally sung in Filipino. Minor revisions were made in 1966 and it is this final version that we are singing today.
The Filipino lyrics were confirmed by Republic Act No. 8491 (or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) on 12 February 1998.
Incidentally, section 37 of RA 8491 provides that "the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe."
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.
When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so "with fervor."
They are expected to sing while the right hand is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibit them from singing Lupang Hinirang must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding "events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the "signing off" and "signing on" of radio broadcasting and television 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 Institute.
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.
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 NHI, after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”
The permit of private educational institutions which would violate any of RA 8491's provisions would be canceled by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), upon the recommendation of the National Historical Institute (NHI).
Public and private officials or employees who will violate the rules, meanwhile, would be punished in accordance with Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. They could also face criminal charges.
The NHI would be tasked to formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the law in consultation with the DECS, CHED, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.
He or she said violators face a fine of P5,000 to P20,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Officials of the National Historical Institute are pushing to stuff a stocking in his/her mouth as if he/she committed some earth-shaking crime.
The NHI may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.
The security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.
That being said, there is only one correct way of singing the Philippine National Anthem - as a march.
Lt Col Philip S Lapinid (INF) PA
Office of the AC of S for Operations, MA3
Philippine Military Academy
Fort del Pilar, Baguio City
Composed by Julian Felipe and presented to General Emilio Aguinaldo on 11 June 1898 as the Marcha Filipina Magdalo, it was adopted by the Revolutionary Army as its official march. In the declaration of Philippine Independence the following day, it was played by the San Francisco de Malabon Marching Band as the Marcha National Filipina while the Philippine flag was unfurled.
For more than a year, the march remained without lyrics. In August 1899, Jose Palma, a soldier-poet and brother of Dr. Rafael Palma, submitted Filipina, a poem that later became the lyrics of the Marcha Nacional Filipina.
It was not until the 1940s that Filipino translations started appearing. Finally, during the term of President Ramon Magsaysay, Education Secretary Gregorio Hernandez formed a commission to come up with an official Filipino version.
On May 26, 1956, the National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang, was finally sung in Filipino. Minor revisions were made in 1966 and it is this final version that we are singing today.
The Filipino lyrics were confirmed by Republic Act No. 8491 (or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) on 12 February 1998.
Incidentally, section 37 of RA 8491 provides that "the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe."
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.
When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so "with fervor."
They are expected to sing while the right hand is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibit them from singing Lupang Hinirang must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding "events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the "signing off" and "signing on" of radio broadcasting and television 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 Institute.
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.
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 NHI, after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”
The permit of private educational institutions which would violate any of RA 8491's provisions would be canceled by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), upon the recommendation of the National Historical Institute (NHI).
Public and private officials or employees who will violate the rules, meanwhile, would be punished in accordance with Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. They could also face criminal charges.
The NHI would be tasked to formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the law in consultation with the DECS, CHED, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.
He or she said violators face a fine of P5,000 to P20,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Officials of the National Historical Institute are pushing to stuff a stocking in his/her mouth as if he/she committed some earth-shaking crime.
The NHI may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.
The security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.
That being said, there is only one correct way of singing the Philippine National Anthem - as a march.
Lt Col Philip S Lapinid (INF) PA
Office of the AC of S for Operations, MA3
Philippine Military Academy
Fort del Pilar, Baguio City
