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 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.

*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 Anthem is regularly played during the beginning and end of broadcast day on radio and television stations, also it followed by the SM Daily Prayer on first screening and last full show inside the SM Cinemas.

Editorial: Carving congressional districts

POLITICIANS rarely see interests beyond their own turfs. That point is truer for politicians leading local government units, even members of the House of Representatives. It’s cause is not only man’s inherent selfishness but also the kind of political setup we have. Politicians do not want to be alienated from the people who vote them into office.

Consider how congressional districts are being carved in Cebu, specifically now in the sixth congressional district of the province. The district once straddled an unbroken area from Consolacion town down to Mandaue City and Mactan island where Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town are—until the House representative there transformed Lapu-Lapu into a lone congressional district.

That created an awkward situation for Cordova town, which remains part of the sixth congressional district without its Mactan co-inhabitant. Now comes House Bill 8511 that also seeks to convert Mandaue City into a lone congressional district. It has been approved on second reading but needs a Senate version for it to sail through Congress. Still a long way to go, but it could still come into fruition.

The move may benefit Mandauehanons, but it would further make awkward the already awkward setup in the sixth district because this would mean only Consolacion town in the mainland and Cordova town in Mactan island would compose the district. Surely, there could have been better ways of carving congressional districts than what is being done in the said district.

House Bill 8511 should make more compelling an idea floated years ago for Cordova town to become a Cebu City barangay, more so with the construction of the third Mactan bridge, or the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. It would also open up the possibility of Consolacion being absorbed by the fifth congressional district.

Perhaps lawmakers and officials of affected local government units should take a deeper look at the manner the sixth district is being divided before proceeding full speed ahead with HB 8511. They better be creative on this matter.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1776519