Lupang Hinirang Kit ipamamahagi sa Sorsogon

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Nobyembre 22 (PIA) – Namahagi ngayon ng Lupang Hinirang Kit ang Dr. Salvador H. Escudero III Foundation sa pangunguna ng maybahay ng yumaong 1st district congressman ng Sorsogon Hon. Salvador “Sonny” H. Escudero III na si Nanay Evie Escudero.

Alas-nuebe ng umaga kanina naganap ang turn-over ceremony ng mga Lupang Hinirang Kit para sa mga paaralan sa lungsod ng Sorsogon. Ang turn-over ceremony ay ginanap sa DepEd Multi-purpose Hall sa Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City kung saan tinanggap ang nasabing mga kit ni City Schools Division Superintendent Socorro V. Dela Rosa.

Mamayang hapon ay igagawad naman ang kahalintulad na kit sa Rotary Club of Metro Sorsogon (RCMS) sa Bacon East Central School, Bacon District, Sorsogon City kung saan tatanggapin ito ni RCMS president Dr. Dennis Donor.

Ang nasabing Lupang Hinirang kit ay naglalaman ng CD ng tamang awit at tugtog ng Lupang Hinirang na orihinal na komposisyon ni Julian Felipe, kopya ng Republic Act 8491 o mas kilala bilang Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, kopya ng Basic Values Manual at Philippine Flag.

Matatandaang ang namayapang si Congressman Sonny Escudero ay isang masugid na tagapagsulong ng tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang at siya ring may akda ng Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Alinsunod sa itinatakda ng section 37 ng Republic Act No. 8491, ang pagkanta ng Pambansang Awit, pinatutugtog man o kinakanta, ay dapat na naaayon sa pagkakaayos at komposisyon ni Julian Felipe.

Dagdag din ng R.A. 8491 na ang Lupang Hinirang ay dapat awitin sa ating pambansang wika, mapasa-ibang bansa man ito o dito sa Pilipinas.

Ang Pambansang Awit ay tinutugtog at inaawit tuwing may mga pampublikong pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino sa loob at labas ng bansa.

Ayon sa R.A. 8491, naaayon sa alituntunin ng National Historical Institute ang paggamit ng awiting ito.

Pinagbabawal ng R.A. 8491 ang pag-awit nito bilang isang “recreation, amusement, o entertainment” maliban sa sumusunod: sa mga international competitions kung saan ang Pilipinas ang host o representative; mga lokal na kumpetisyon; tuwing "signing off" at "signing on" ng mga radio broadcasting at television stations; at bago ang pag-umpisa ng mga pelikula sa sinehan at iba pang mga theater performances. Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; civic na aktibidad, mga palabas sa kultura o mga presentasyon at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng NHI.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga opisina at paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Habang ang section 20 naman nito ay nagsasaad na ang seremonya sa pagtataas ng watawat ng pilipinas sa mga opisyal o sibikong pagtitipon ay dapat na simple at may paggalang, at dapat na patugtugin o kantahin sa orihinal na lirikong Filipino at pamartsang ritmo.

Nakassad din sa RA 8491 na ang sinumang lalabag dito ay maaaring patawan ng parusa na nagkakahalaga ng hindi bababa sa P20,000 o pagkakakulong ng hindi lalagpas sa isang taon.

Ang pangangailangan na pagtayo tuwing kinakanta at tinutugtog ang Pambansang Awit sa isang pagtitipon sa publiko tulad ng sinehan. Ang mga manonood na hindi tatayo tuwing kinakanta at tinutugtog ang Pambansang Awit ay maaaring hulihin sa pamamagitan ng citizens arrest ng security personnel at ushers.

Subalit ito’y mariing itinanggi ng mga mang-aawit. Tama lang daw ang kaniyang pagkaka-awit.

Kung gayon, papaano nga ba aawitin ang Lupang Hinirang?

Hindi naman siguro mahirap sagutin ang tanong na ito na kahit isang musmos na bata sa kindergarten ay alam kung papaano ito aawitin.

At papaano nga ba? Titindig dapat ng matuwid, iiwanan o ititigil panandali ang ginagawa, ilalagay ang kanang kamay sa dibdib, titingin sa watawat, sabay buka ng bibig habang sinasabayan ang kumpas ni titser at pag-awit ng “Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan. Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo’y buhay. Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting. Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil”.

Hindi naman pala mahirap awitin kung saan kahit isang paslit na bata ay makaka-awit nito ng buong ningning. You don’t need to be a concert king or a balladeer to sing it, and sing it well. Ang kailangan lamang pala ay taglay ang dalisay na puso at malinis na pakay kapag aawit nito, tulad ng isang bata, at hindi upang ipagmalaki sa buong mundo na tayo ay magaling na mang-aawit. Ito ang tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang.

Ang pagdiriwang ng ating Kalayaan at ito’y sa Hunyo 12. Nawa’y sa pag-awit natin ng Lupang Hinirang bilang pagpupugay sa nakamit na kasarinlan, tiyaking tama ang lyrics ng ating awit at nasa tamang tono at bilis.

Memorized ko yung Lupang Hinirang tsaka yung old version ng Panatang Makabayan. yung new version, hindi ko man lang alam. College na kasi ako nung napalitang yung Panatang Makabayan, eh hindi naman nirerecite yung nung college na ko.

memorized ko kapag may kasabay ako.

Yup! (Naka-perfect ako sa pambansang awit at panatang makabayan) pero hindi ko po kabisado yung Ako ay Pilipino

Pagkatapos ng Lupang Hinirang, Panatang Makabayan naman, Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat at sa huli Pilipinas Kong Mahal.

Dorie Linse "Tama ka, Maharlika, dahil simula ng grade 1 ako 1958 hanggang makatapos ng HS pagkatapos ng bayang magiliw ay panatang makabayan ang kasunod at papasok na sa silid aralan na may tugtog ng River Kwai."

Vien Neib Cie "Naabutan ko yan ... batang 90s ako hehe"

Reymond Mago Defeo "Dahil na din sa pag upgrade daw ng curiculom nabawasan yung pagka makabansa. Ako sa sarili ko dala ko pa hanggang ngayon ang turo ng mga guro na pagka makabansa. Pag papahalaga sa bansa bilang pilipino."

Del T. Blanco "My elementary days,mas magalang ang kabataan,mas may takot sa Diyos ,mas takot gumawa ng kalokohan pero mas masaya mababa pa ang mga krimen,kahit kamote at kamoteng kahoy ang tanghalian masaya na😃panahong kaunting bagay na naumit o ninakaw ng kaklase napakalaking kahihiyan na ng pamilya at magulang kung anak nila ang involve"

Feds Santos "👍🏻👊🏻 at yung mag exercise tayo tuwing umaga😁"

Lucy de Ocampo "Karamihan sa ngayun di na nga alam yang panatang makabayan. kami noon pagkatapos kantahin ang lupang hinirang kasunod naman panatang makabayan .. ganun din mga anak ko kung saan sila nag-aaral . ngaun iba na nagkatuon at abala ang ibang nasa gobyerno sa pagnanakaw, pangungurakot ..di nla alam kung ano kahulugan ng mga salita sa panatang makabayan .."

Armando Lalog Jr. "After FEM walang ginawa mga aquino at ibapa kung hindi magnakaw at sisihin si marcos."

Noel Mar "Kasi daw po ang yellow Democracy is a road to success!!!!!! Ay Syett ... road to hell pala to the filipinos .... but a luxurious living for the oligarchs!!!! ..... More Business and free of taxes... and you can spread fake news... get a good looking actor and actress ... promote their deceitful propaganda!!! And the best of them all , you have the holy shit.... Priests, bishops , Cardinals... who mix politics with religions, and sometimes make their homily not based on the Bible but lies and hypocrisy... to defend the oligarchs who probably donates large monetary amount and high valuable gifts.... what the hell to Yellow Democracy.... tinarantado nila ang bayan!!!!!"

Maria Koro "Ibang iba na talaga ngayon hindi nayan binibigkas sa school paano naman pati din Teacher ay adik narin yung iba"

Tita Nepomuceno "I think the panata has been reworded, although hindi ko alam ano yung mga pinalitan. Honestly memorized ko pa sya hanggang ngayon, dahil siguro i have Internalized it, naisa-puso ko na. Hindi na rin araw-araw na nagpa-flag ceremony in most schools, if ever lunes na lang at biernes. Lunes itinataas ang bandila, at biernes ibinababa. Dapat ngang ibalik yan flag ceremony araw-araw at ang recitation ng panatang makabayan. Sa araw araw at paulit ulit na pagre-recite, nai-internalize ng bata eventually nai-inculcate yung patriotism. Ewan ko ba sa DepEd, ang daming inalis sa curriculum, procedures and practices. Then marami ipinasok sa curriculum na hindi kailangan, while yung kailangan, inalis. Yan mga nasa DepEd kasi may mga masters at doctorate so habang nagaaral ang tao, nagiging matalino sa libro, bobo sa practical side of life.

Maharlika "Tita Nepomuceno tama po . Kaya nga dapat ang pinupwesto sa Dep-Ed ay may pagmamahal sa bayan at pahahalagahan ang edukasyon. Kailangan natin hubugin ang kabataan sa unang araw pa lang na pagpasok sa eskwelahan pati mga magulang kailangan i orient o seminar kung paano isapuso at isabuhay ang mga nabanggit sa Panatang Makabayan, Panunumpa sa watawat at sa Lupang Hinirang . Kumbaga iukit sa kanilang puso at isipan para dala-dala nila hanggang sa paglaki nila at maging responsableng mamayan sila."

Tita Nepomuceno "Yet kung napansin nyo Ms. Maharlika at mga kababayan, sa report card ng mga bata, may rating sa “patriotism”. Nung nakita ko yon noon, immediately ang reaction ko —paano nila ni-rate yung bata? how did the child demonstrated yung patriotism nya? anong pinagbasehan nung teacher sa grade o assessment nya nun?"

Antilegando Lacida Wilmita "Tama po mam Daming inalis, tapos shortened ang time ng students puro pera nasa ulo ng most school, bayad, donations kuno pero nagbabanggit ng amount at eto ay a must for every student, they shortened the time pero amount ng TF tumaas, they should be monitored! They don't learned much already kasi puro pera lang ang gusto ng school, They even call themselves Chistian school pero may ari mismo walang modo di marunong magbabayad ng utang!!!"

Deo Deo "Yes yong katipunero ang isip,salita at gawa...huwag yong makaliwa at wlang paki sa pinas..."

Emmanuel Padilla "Tita Nepomuceno pinalitan yan pag upo yan ni cory 1986 pinalitan lahat pati constitution ginawa na sila lang mga dilawan ang makikinabang pati DepEd ay binago yung mga original na curriculom noon araw araw ay msy flag ceremony at flag retreat yung preamble nga ay pinapamemorize pa sa amin sa subject ss college noon na Phol. Constitution kahit anong course ang iyong kinukha ay meron"

Choling DG Ingeniero Tita Nepomuceno "true"

Josie De Silva Ignacio Tita Nepomuceno "oh ganun po? Wala ng flag raising every morning??? "

Marla Dumbrique Kabisado ko pa ,minsan kung akoy nag iisa yan ang binibigkas ko ang Panatang makabayan

Erna Delacruz “Noong elementary school kinakanta namin yang baayaang magiliw at lupang hinirang sa labas ng school nakatapat sa watawat ng pilipinas habang inaakyat ang watawat nakatingin ang mga bata at ang kamay kanan nakahawak sa baba ng puso sa kaliwa”

Jericho Baltar: "Bayang magiliw perlas ng silanganan alab ng puso sa dibdib moy 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 may 'di magdidilim lupa ng araw ng luwalhati' pagsinta buhay ay langit sa piling mo aming ligaya ng pag may mang aapi ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo"

Cordova Bernardino "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 may ‘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’yo.

Panatang makabayan, Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas. Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan. Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi. Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang. Bilang ganti, ay diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang. Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan. Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas. Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan. Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

Panunumpa ng katapatan sa watawat ng Pilipinas: Ako ay Pilipino buong katapatang nanunumpa sa watawat ng Pilipinas at sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan na pinakikilos ng sambayanang maka-Diyos, maka-tao, makakalikasan, at makabansa.

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas, lupain ng ginto't bulaklak. Pag-ibig 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. Ibon mang may layang lumipad, kulungin mo at umiiyak. Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag, ang di magnasang makaalpas. Pilipinas kong minumutya, pugad ng luha ko’t dalita. Aking adhika, makita kang sakdal laya. Ibon mang may layang lumipad, kulungin mo at umiiyak. Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag, ang di magnasang makaalpas. Pilipinas kong minumutya, pugad ng luha ko’t dalita. Aking adhika, makita kang sakdal laya.

Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw Pilipinas kong mahal ang puso ko at buhay man sa iyo'y ibibigay tungkulin ko'y gagampanan na laging kang paglingkuran ang laya mo'y babantayan Pilipinas kong hirang

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. 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.”

Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "Ako, tuwing nakakarinig ako ng tugtog ng Lupang Hinirang, ang Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas, ako'y umiiyak. Marami na kaseng mga kabataan ngayon na hindi marunong gumalang sa ating bandila pag itinataas. Sana, maturuuan sila."

Justina Marcelo Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "pag nag Pambansang Awit na Lupang Hinirang lahat tumitigil at me paggalang ng naklagay ang ating kanan kamay sa dibdib, at pagkatapos ang panunumpa dapat mabalik ang pagkilala natin sa ating bansang Pilipinas, marami kabataan ang hindi na alam at nawala na rin paggalang at walang paki sa kalinisan, kalikasan. sana mabalik na rin ang GMRC”

Rey Caba Justina Marcelo “tama po kayo dati panahon ni pangulong ferdinand marcos sr. kapag narinig ang bayang magiliw lahat humihinto pati sasakyan inaantay matapos ang awit bago uli aarangkada ang mga tao at sasakyan”

Ernie Abordo Jr. “Noong una kahit wala ka sa loob ng eskwelahan at napadaan ka lang kapag narinig mo ng kumakanta ng bayang magiliw titigil ka sa paglalakad at tatapusin mo muna ang kanta bago ka ulit lumakad yan ay bilang paggalang natin sa ating inang bayan”

John N. Retuerto: “buti pa sa sinehan... bago magsimula ang palabas... tatayo muna at kinakanta ang Lupang Hinirang...”

Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "Ibalik dapat ang dating kaugaliang pagkanta at pag awit ng (Lupang Hinirang), at ibalik din ang Panatang Makabayan... Kay ganda noong araw sa panahon ni late apo lakay marcos, pagtungtong ng mga epal at mga anay sa lipunang mga oligarkiya, mga aquino.. nawala na ang mga kagawiang kanta awit at panatang makabayan.. pati mga lessons ng history ay toloyan ng inalis nila, pura bulagin ang mga mag aaral maging mga guro sa tunay at diwa ng kalahagahan nito.. Sana ngayon new administration ay mabalik na ang dating nakagawian ang pagkanta araw-araw ng (Lupang Hinirang) at pagbigkas ng (Panatang Makabayan) at (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) sa mga paaralan tuwing umaga..at flag retreat naman sa tuwing hapon.."

Charline Villafuerte Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "at kapag napadaan ka sa eskwelahan na inaawit ang lupang hinirang kailangan huminto at magbigay galang habang inaawit ito"

Charline Villafuerte "korek po at tama po talaga kayo maam.. sagad sa mga pangaral ang mga kabataang mag aaral noong unang mga nakaraang panahon, kay gandang isipin at gunitaing muli... kaya ang panawagan ng ating bagong halal na pangulong BBM, ibalik at sama sama tayong babangun muli... at taas noo kahit kanino..."

Ronaldo Sigua "Sa elementarya ngayon hindi kinakanta yan lupang hinirang sa loob ng kwarto araw-araw sabi ng anak ko tuwing lunes na lang... Kaya mga elementarya dapat din kabisado ang lyrics until now. Sana sa mga guro kahit bawal mag flag ceremony sa labas kahit sa loob ng classroom na lang araw arawin sana ang pagkanta ng lupang hinirang..."

Anila De Juan "Dapat isabatas na kapag tumutugtog at tinataas ang watawat kahit saang ĺugar dapat huminto ang mga tao at mga sasakyan"

Mico Cangmaong "Araw araw may flag ceremony at inaawit ang Pambansang Awit LUPANG HINIRANG pero sayang wala maintindihi ang Message sa flag at awit, ngayon binaloktot na ang kanilang tungkolin sa bayan, Protect the People Secure the Sovereignty of the State and the Integrity of the National Territory, wala binuboli na ang ating bansa sa China"

Vikki Reyes Pornobi "Di nga nahinto ang mga tao sa paglakad at pati mga sasakyan tuwing flag ceremony di pinapansin... in short nawala na ang pggalang"

Isaac Mamucud "noon kami ang nasa elementarya sa labas kinakanta nmin ang lupang hinirang at yung panatang makabayan, kung nasaan ang flag pole sa umaga itaas ang bandila araw-araw"

Nenita Torres Isaac Mamucud "Umaga at hapon Yan kinakanta, at yong flag, di Yan Pina ulanan, tubing hapon ibinaba at ilagay sa lalagyan,"

Isaac Mamucud Nenita Torres "tama po kayo,pag tag ulan nakasabit sa harapan ng iskwelahan na di nababasa ng ulan"

Ronaldo Sigua Nenita Torres "ewan ko nga po bkit hindi na pinagagawa ng teacher ngaun yan... sila dapat nakaka alam ng ganyan para ipagawa sa ating mga anak,,hindi na tao dapat pang ipaaalala pa sa kanila matik na dapat,,"

Jenneth Rojas Nenita Torres "pag di ka naka attend ng flag ceremony, late ka"

Isaac Mamucud Jenneth Rojas "kaya nga po,maaga kming pumapasok noon 7am time na 6am nasa school na kami."

Ronaldo Sigua Isaac Mamucud "principal at guro po dapat ang nagpapatupad ngaun nian sa skwelahan,,mukang nkalimutan npo na nila yan pag galng nayan,,, Cguro nmn ung mga teacher na ngaun ay inabot pa nila ung mga gawain na yan,, So bakit hindi nila pinagpapatuloy ang ganyang paggalang sa ating watawat,, 

Isaac Mamucud Ronaldo Sigua principal at teacher lahat nasa harapan kasama mga styudante nila,napapansin ko ngayon may kinder,may prep pa may k12 ang iq nila parang bumababa napapansin ku lng.

Ligaya Rivera "kami noon daily morning ang hapon . paggrde 6 schedule nang pupils magpataas at pababa nang saka pagfold fold nang bandera pupils assigned pagbeat ng pambansing awit (Lupang Hinirang) at iba naman ang sa panatang makabayan. Kaya almost 100 percent pupils summarized nila lahat. Grabe ang deciplina noon"

니노 Ligaya Rivera "baka memorized. Pero totoo"

Zenaida Leah Mateo "Tama Po sana ibalik yung pagkanta tuwing umaga ang pambansang awit at sa panatang makabayan. Kasi Hindi na alam ng mga bata kantahin. Nakakahiya!"

Joon Bena Ligaya Rivera "memorize po, tama po kayo" (B. A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Eat Bulaga! picks Cebu for first-ever regional game show

 The country’s longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga! offers a special lunch treat to Cebuano televiewers via the 30-minute radio and television program dubbed as “Eat Na Ta.”

According to Malou Choa-Fagar, SVP and COO of Television and Production Exponents Incorporated (TAPE, Inc.), the producer of Eat Bulaga!, “Eat Na Ta” is exclusive in the Visayas region with major media concentration in Cebu. This latest offering is part of efforts to strengthen the mother program and its home network’s presence in Cebu. “We want to step up on our performance in the ratings. We have to admit that we are lagging behind the competition here in Cebu,” revealed Choa-Fagar in a presscon at Golden Cowrie in Salinas Drive last Monday.

The radio component of “Eat Na Ta,” which premiered last November 12, airs 11:30 am from Monday to Friday, while the pilot episode of its TV component has yet to see live broadcast this Saturday, November 24, still from 11:30 am to 12 noon over GMA 7 Cebu.  

It was revealed that they have long wanted to expand “Eat Bulaga!” in Cebu, initially conceptualizing a one-time show, but the idea has now evolved into a long-term project. Even if the program may come across to viewers like a spin-off of Eat Bulaga!, the program is still very Cebuano, Choa-Fagar stressed, from its hosts to the EB jingle now in Cebuano.

“Eat Na Ta” will be “loaded with prizes and surprises” including a shot at Eat Bulaga!’s widely popular game segments.

Game segments include Itaktak Gyud, wherein in the radio game Cebuanos can join via telephone by answering Taktak Mo o Tatakbo-styled questions. Winners will automatically win P300, and will have the chance to play for Itaktak Yud on Eat Nat Ta-TV, which will be staged in various barangays of Cebu. In the TV game, the contestants can win up to P20,000 cash or get the chance to play in Eat Bulaga! for that chance to spin the Taktak Mo or Tatakbo roleta for the P1M jackpot.

Ang Akong Pangandoy takes after Eat Bulaga!’s “Send In Your Dreams.” Cebuanos may send letters sharing their “dreams” via this segment, which will be narrated through a “radionovela.” The “fulfillment” of the dreams will be then be aired on the TV program. 

“Kwarta Na Ni” will give away cash prizes through texting. There will be an early morning texting edition from 6am to 10 am and the texting promo will continue from 11:30 to 12nn. Four winners of P300 will be announced daily.

“Eat Na Ta sa Radyo” is hosted by GMA Cebu talents “Talk to Papa” deejay-host Papa Joe, entertainment news host and drama talent Choopetah plus Undoy Z (otherwise known as Cerj Michael in the stand up comedy circuit). Undoy Z will spot both listeners and viewers of Eat Na Ta all over Cebu. For the radio, winners will be given P300 and a chance to greet on air, while for TV, Undoy Z will conduct an instant card game called “Itaas…lubos! Imong Bulsa Mabdos!” for viewers who will be spotted watching Eat Na Ta every Saturday. 

“Eat Na Ta sa TV” will still feature Papa Joe, Undoy Z plus Cutie del Mar, one of Cebu’s loveliest faces who has made a name for herself in the hosting arena of the media industry as news anchor and TV host. –NMT

Multiply.com to stop social network services

Multiply.com users take note: less than four months from now, there’ll be no more photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.

Multiply, which boasts of 11 million users, is halting its social networking and content sharing services as  it shifts its focus to ecommerce.

“From December first, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form – notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.),” said CEO Stefan Magdalinski.

“We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can,” Magdalinski said.

And from Boca Raton, Florida, Multiply is now headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“As most of you are probably aware, Multiply’s mission has evolved over the past year and a half to become the biggest and most beloved ecommerce marketplace in two very exciting markets, Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said. “As our focus has shifted, we have reviewed all of our operations, and made some decisions that will affect everyone here.”

Magdalinski promised to provide social network users easy ways to retrieve or transfer their contents.

“For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc), or migrate it to other online services,”  Magdalinski said. “We’ll announce the precise details shortly. It will be your choice whether to download, migrate or just let your content lapse (and get deleted).”

“For our existing ecommerce users (both buyers and sellers) in Indonesia and the Philippines, there will be no action required,” he said, adding that the company will refund any existing Multiply Premium subscriptions.

“I am aware of how disruptive this news may be, and understand the disappointment that it may cause. Ultimately this was a business decision, critical to our to success moving forward,” Magdalinski said.

“Instead, we are excited to pursue our own mission to give the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines a great way to buy and sell items online. Our singular focus now is for Multiply to retain its status as a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia in the years ahead.”

https://technology.inquirer.net/15271/multiply-com-to-stop-social-network-services

Multiply social platform to be scrapped by December

SOCIAL NETWORKING site Multiply, Inc. will be scrapping its photo sharing and blogging offerings by December to pave the way for its complete shift into e-commerce platform, a notice posted on its Web site showed.

"From Dec. 1, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form -- notably, we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.)," Stephan Magdalinski, Multiply's chief operating officer, told clients in a notice on the Web site.

"We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can," he added.

This comes as Multiply is eyeing to completely transform the site into an e-commerce portal.

"Multiply's mission has evolved over the past year and a half to become the biggest and most beloved e-commerce marketplace in two very exciting markets, Indonesia and the Philippines," the notice read.

"As our focus has shifted, we have reviewed all of our operations, and made some decisions that will affect everyone here."

Multiply also assured its users that it will be providing easy ways for them to either download their content, or migrate it to other online services.

"For our existing ecommerce users (both buyers and sellers) in Indonesia and the Philippines, there will be no action required," the notice read further.

The company in May 2010 formally signalled a shift to the e-commerce platform despite being successful as a social networking site, Rianna R. Trinidad, the company's marketing head, had said.

She, however, noted that e-commerce transactions in the Philippines were already seen even as early as 2006.

Since the new platform is still young, Jonathan R. Madrid, country manager of Multiply.com Philippines said bulk of the transactions are still offline or "face-to-face" arrangements.

To encourage customers to shift to online commerce, Mr. Madrid said the company would be offering more payment options.

Already, Multiply.com Philippines accepts over-the-counter deposits through Bank of the Philippines Islands and BDO Unibank, Inc. It also accepts payments through PayPal and G-Cash, the money transfer facility of Globe Telecom, Inc.

Luring customers to shift to its e-commerce platform is also necessary in generating additional revenues for the company.

Multiply currently has 250,000 merchants, of which 130,000 are from the Philippines, 70,000 of which are from Indonesia while the rest are in other parts of Southeast Asia. -- C.H.C. Venzon

https://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=Multiply-social-platform-to-be-scrapped-by-December&id=56576

Multiply.com quits social networking

Time to transfer those photos and videos.
advertisement


Mutliply.com announced on Thursday that it will stop its social networking functions in December, choosing to focus instead on its electronic commerce operations in Indonesia and the Philippines.

“From December 1st, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form - notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.),” Stefan Magdalinski, chief executive officer at Multiply Global, said in a statement posted on its website.
With the rise of Facebook as the dominant player in the social networking arena, Multiply had sought to differentiate itself from competitors by highlighting itself as the ‘social shopping’ hub for online marketers.

“For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc), or migrate it to other online services,” he noted, saying that they will announce the file migration details soon.

The eight-year-old service, which claimed to be the “biggest and beloved” e-commerce marketplace in Indonesia and the Philippines, will now focus on its e-commerce platform.

“Our singular focus now is for Multiply to retain its status as a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia in the years ahead,” Magdalinski noted.

To gear up for the anticipated service transfer, Multiply launched last June its “Merchant Dashboard” that provides technology solutions to its online sellers.

The new feature provides detailed product listing, inventory management, and order tracking.

The website likewise put up a buyer protection program that aims to safeguard online shoppers from fraudulent merchants and scammers. 

Currently, about 130,000 Multiply users in the Philippines are involved with online selling. — TJD, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/hashtag/content/269019/multiply-com-quits-social-networking/story/

Multiply.com quits social networking

Time to transfer those photos and videos.

Mutliply.com announced on Thursday that it will stop its social networking functions in December, choosing to focus instead on its electronic commerce operations in Indonesia and the Philippines.

“From December 1st, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form - notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.),” Stefan Magdalinski, chief executive officer at Multiply Global, said in a statement posted on its website.

With the rise of Facebook as the dominant player in the social networking arena, Multiply had sought to differentiate itself from competitors by highlighting itself as the ‘social shopping’ hub for online marketers.

“For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc), or migrate it to other online services,” he noted, saying that they will announce the file migration details soon.

The eight-year-old service, which claimed to be the “biggest and beloved” e-commerce marketplace in Indonesia and the Philippines, will now focus on its e-commerce platform.

“Our singular focus now is for Multiply to retain its status as a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia in the years ahead,” Magdalinski noted.

To gear up for the anticipated service transfer, Multiply launched last June its “Merchant Dashboard” that provides technology solutions to its online sellers.

The new feature provides detailed product listing, inventory management, and order tracking.

The website likewise put up a buyer protection program that aims to safeguard online shoppers from fraudulent merchants and scammers. 

Currently, about 130,000 Multiply users in the Philippines are involved with online selling. — TJD, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/hashtag/content/269019/multiply-com-quits-social-networking/story/

No fancy anthem singing, please

After the hoopla and all, we join our countrymen in rejoicing the third-round victory of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao in his bout with Mexican boxer Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada last Sunday. As we watched the match, beamed live all over the Philippines, we take pride with our countrymen in waving our Philippine flag inside the arena.

If his schedule pushes through, Pacquiao would arrive here by tomorrow. We should not begrudge our political leaders for organizing again a lavish "hero;s welcome" for Pacquiao. After all, Pacquiao is one of our "Champions for Life" awardees who was bestowed this title by President Arroyo earlier this year.

I don;t want to be the "let down voice" in these glorious moments over Pacquiao's victory. But enough is enough. In particular, will somebody put a stop in desecrating the singing of our national anthem "Lupang Hinirang." No matter how good the singer is, like Sarah Geronimo who sang it almost flawlessly before the fight of Pacquiao, I simply could not agree with the rather operatic rendition again and again of our national anthem. But not all those Filipinos inside the ring can hit such high notes as she can even as they can sing with gusto and identify with Pacquiao as a rallying idol.

Throughout my education in private and public schools, the singing of our National Anthem was the first thing that we did in the morning before classes and at the end of the day at 5 p.m. after classes. And that is why, I’m sure as everyone else is, we have been trained in our school to sing "Lupang Hinirang" in its four-fourth beat or tempo. I remember it was usually the music teacher or a designated student-leader who would lead the en masse singing to keep everyone in tune and in tempo.

I distinctly recall an incident at Malacañang Palace when former President Fidel V. Ramos blew his top during a formal gathering and the National Anthem was sung differently from the standard marching beat the way it should have been sung. A very angry Ramos had to ask his guests to sing it again with the proper tempo of our sacred hymn. The former President was not being chivalrous or dictatorial in demanding a take-two in singing the National Anthem. Although the singing of the Anthem during that gathering was melodious enough, the former President’s ears did not like the rendition that was completely different from the original arrangement of its music.

Our Philippine history books tell us it was the late Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Republic, who prompted the composition of our National Anthem to rally the nation against the continuing occupation of the Spanish colonizers. On June 5, 1898, he commissioned Julian Felipe, a Cavite pianist and composer, to work on a march for the Filipino revolutionary soldiers. Aguinaldo was not satisfied with just a marching song. Recognizing Felipe’s skills, he asked him to compose a more soul-rousing tune that would instill courage and patriotism in the hearts of every Filipino. Felipe supposedly worked on the assignment for six days and on June 11, sitting in front of a piano in the Aguinaldo living room in Kawit, played his music before the Presidente and his lieutenants. Named by Felipe the Marcha Filipino Magdalo (after Aguinaldo’s nom de guerre and his faction in the Katipunan), the music was adopted on the spot and renamed the Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March).

The national anthem was heard publicly for the first time on June 12, 1898, when, standing on the balcony of his Kawit mansion, Aguinaldo proclaimed Asia's first independent Republic before the cheering Filipino patriots. The "defiant" lyrics of the marching hymn were supplied by Jose Palma, a 23-year old soldier who was described as adept with the pen as he was with the sword. He wrote a poem entitled "Filipinas" and this was used as the fighting lyrics to the Felipe composition. And from then on, the anthem was readily taken by the Filipino nation.

But on March 23, 1901, the war with America ground to a halt with the capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela. The American administrators discouraged the singing of the anthem. In the 1920s, Palma's original Spanish lyrics underwent several English and Tagalog translations. However, the most popular version was written by Mary A. Lane and Senator Camilo Osias, known as the "Philippine Hymn." On Dec. 5, 1938, the Philippine Congress passed Commonwealth Act 382, which made the anthem’s English words official. In 1956, a new version penned by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (Institute of National Language) was adopted. These are the official Filipino lyrics of "Lupang Hinirang" as we sing it today.

Based on these historical accounts, the Ramos administration aggressively pushed the passage of The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines under Republic Act (RA) 8491 which he signed into law on Feb. 12, 1998. And specifically in Chapter II, Section 37 of RA 8491 as provided, and I quote: "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 sang."

When it is heard, stand upright, facing the flag and place the right hand on the left chest while singing.

It can be sung in 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 NHI.

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.

So, all these fancy singing of "Lupang Hinirang" are really a violation of this law. But I'm sure there was no such ill motive for many of those who sing it with so much fervor and capping them with dramatic higher notes. Perhaps, it is their way of showing their love of country. Singing it though in higher notes expose them to risk of being out of pitch and out of tune. And it also defeats the intention of encouraging all to sing the National Anthem.

The best way to avoid embarrassment is simply to obey the law by singing the National Anthem the way it should be no higher, no slower than it should be sung. Aside from standing at attention and facing the Philippine flag (if displayed), RA 8491 also requires us to place our right palm over our left chest while singing the National Anthem.

The singing of our National Anthem is not only a patriotic duty but also a daily ritual for school children and perhaps for the men in uniform in the police and military camps. The civilian employees of the government, on the other hand, are only required to sing the National Anthem every Monday morning in flag-raising rites. These days, the only time I get to sing the National Anthem, except when I attend an official occasion, is when I watch the last full show in a movie house. But then again, I only get disappointed when they play the bastardized version of the National Anthem. Our government authorities should do something to correct such dishonor to the sacred hymn of our nation.

Multiply social shopping site is here to stay

When four tech whizzes from Boca Raton, Florida, got together to form content sharing website Multiply in 2003, they never thought their baby would become an e-commerce platform. But evolve they did because that was what the users wanted.

Now Multiply is a social shopping site teeming with entrepreneurs, selling myriad products and services, from trinkets to clothes to gadgets to cars. This model—a hybrid of e-commerce and social networking—may be here to stay, at least in the foreseeable future.

According to Multiply Inc. founder and chief executive Peter Pezaris, this social shopping model looked to be what subscribers wanted.

“If we’ll have a strategy shift, it won’t be soon,” he says in a recent Management Association of the Philippines conference, adding that the recent investment that global e-commerce leader Naspers Ltd. made in Multiply further cemented its positioning as a social e-commerce site.

At this point, he says the company would just be improving on the current model to ensure the satisfaction and delight of its more than 18 million registered users and more than 100,000 registered merchants worldwide.

Main difference

Unlike other e-commerce sites that just sold stuff and offered limited engagement among users, he says Multiply had more of a social element—true to the site’s original concept.

Pezaris relates that there were a number of other social shopping strategies, including group discounts or group buying as used by Groupon and outright selling via Facebook. The Multiply model, however, capitalizes on engagement, allowing buyers and sellers to interface more closely with each other.

“Engagement results in more transactions. On Multiply, there’s a lot of social interaction and conversations are public. Sellers actually talk to buyers, and buyers can learn from (the conversation threads),” he says.

Pezaris explains that Multiply recognizes it could not compete head-on with Facebook in the social networking space. This recognition, coupled with user feedback, helps prompt the shift in business model.

“To compete with Facebook, we had to raise a lot of money. We had six engineers, Facebook had more than 600, so it was really difficult. In 2009, we started to realize how much (selling) activity there was on the site,” he relates.

Philippines at the forefront

The Philippines was actually a huge factor in Multiply’s transformation into a social shopping site, Pezaris says.

When the company started to really scrutinize the traffic on the site, it was discovered that many of Multiply’s subscribers, the majority of whom came from the Philippines, used the site as a platform for business.

“Before, it was actually illegal to use Multiply to buy and sell, then we heard there was a lot of buying and selling on the site. But it was mostly anecdotal and we had no means of measuring such kind of traffic,” Pezaris relates.

“Then we started asking our users to register, and 50 percent of the registered Philippine users were sellers. That signaled our shift to e-commerce,” he further says.

These sellers, known collectively as Pinoy Multipreneurs, steered the multimillion-dollar company to the path it was now treading.

As a testament to its commitment to the Philippine market, Multiply partnered with ABS-CBN Interactive before eventually opening its own office in the country with its own staff and country manager.

The company also set up an office in Jakarta.

Moving forward, Pezaris says Multiply will continue to listen to what its customers want. The company would also be building for the future by keeping its service free to all merchants who want a storefront sans the hassle and the significant overhead.

“There will still be no charge for merchants. We’ll take the short-term loss to build for the future. These short-term losses will pay themselves back eventually,” Pezaris says. 

The company also commits to keep evolving—the very principle that allowed Multiply to be the success that it is now.

https://business.inquirer.net/22101/multiply-social-shopping-site-is-here-to-stay

Albert, Arum asked to appear at Manila court

The lawyer-president of the United Nations National Anthem Foundation has asked a Manila regional trial court judge to order Brazilian composer-arranger Morris Albert and his co-defendant Bob Arum, manager of world boxing champ Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, to bring the original copy of the “bastardized version” of the Philippine National Anthem before the court on May 20.

Lawyer Crisanto Soldevilla Cornejo filed on May 6 with Manila RTC Presiding Judge Dinnah Agulla-Topacio “A Supplemental and Reiterating Very Urgent Motion” for the issuance of a subpoena through the Brazilian embassy in Manila, directing Albert and Arum to appear in court at 2 p.m. on May 20.

In the two-page motion, Cornejo urged the court to direct Albert and Arum to answer the amended complaint together with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) and the other five defendants who bastardized and violated the country’s National Anthem, “Lupang Hinirang.” Cornejo also asked the court to resolve the motion to dismiss filed by the Office of the Solicitor General and the motion to cite in contempt of court the officers and counsel of KBP for misleading the court that 10,000 copies of the CD that five pop-singers bastardized were already in the custody of the National Library.

The KBP counsel earlier testified in court that 10,000 CDs were already deposited in the National Library. He called on the court to issue a subpoena duces tecum against Albert and Arum, who were mandated by the court to appear in the continuation of the trial of the case on May 20 and June 3.

He said Albert and Arum should show cause why they should not be cited in contempt of court or “as soon thereafter as the Court may schedule the trial dates addressed to the Office of the Brazilian ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Alcides Gastao Rostand Prates, Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

Bastardized version

Cornejo said he filed their latest motion on behalf of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, also named as a plaintiff in the case, which was included by the judge in the list of cases for Judicial Dispute Resolution.

Maria Serena Diokno, also the chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, was furnished a copy of the “very urgent motion.” The alleged “bastardized” version of Lupang Hinirang was sung by Martin Nievera at the start of the bout between Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 3, 2009.

In objecting to Nievera’s rendition of the Philippine National Anthem, the NHCP cited Section 37 of Republic Act No. 8491 (1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines), which 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.”

When it is heard, stand upright, facing the flag, and place the right hand on the left chest while singing.

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local 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 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.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

When Nievera belted out Lupang Hinirang, it started slowly, took on a martial beat in the middle, and then finally ended on a sustained high note. The same law punishes failure or refusal to observe the provisions of the code with public censure, “which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation. The guilty person may be fined up to P5,000 or imprisoned for not more than a year, or “be meted with both penalties, at the discretion of the court.”

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrests.

But Nievera has maintained he did nothing wrong, and he is unrepentant. He insisted he interpreted the song the way he “understood” it. The NHI has also slammed the performance by Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha, and Bituin Escalante of “Lupang Hinirang” during the past boxing bouts of the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

On October 4 last year, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 465 or “An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.”

Aside from the National Anthem, the bill also seeks to protect the Philippine flag and other heraldic items of the country.

Under the House-approved measure, a P 100,000 fine and two-year imprisonment await a performer who will deviate from the official musical arrangement of “Lupang Hinirang” as composed by Julian Felipe.

“Lupang Hinirang” should be sung in a marching-type tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat and 2/4 beat when played, the bill said.

Several popular singers, among them Journey’s Arnel Pineda, Martin Nievera, and the all-female group La Diva, had been criticized for their renditions of the country’s national anthem, both during the fights of Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

http://www.philstar.com/metro/684720/albert-arum-asked-appear-manila-court

Charice to sing anthem in Pacquiao-Mosley fight

Manny Pacquiao has chosen international singing sensation Charice to sing the national anthem in his May 7 fight against Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to Pacquiao’s advisor, Michael Koncz, they talked to Charice in Los Angeles about singing “Lupang Hinirang.”

Charice, behind the hit single “Pyramid” and a returning guest of the TV hit show “Glee”, said she’s excited to sing before millions of boxing enthusiasts from around the world who are expected to watch the Pacquiao-Mosley fight.

Aside from the boxing match, the singing of the national anthem has always been the focus of attention and subsequent discussion.

Previous singers like Arnel Pineda and Martin Nievera were among those who faced stinging criticisms from the National Historical Institute for violation of Section 37, Chapter II of Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines that states: “The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

When it is played, stand upright, facing the flag, and place the right hand on the left chest while singing.

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local 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 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.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

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, shall 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 law imposes a fine ranging from P 5,000 to P 20,000 and jail terms of up to one year, or both, for violators of its provisions.

Erring public officials and employees may face administrative sanctions besides the penalties imposed by law.

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest. 

On October 4 last year, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 465 or “An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.”

Aside from the National Anthem, the bill also seeks to protect the Philippine flag and other heraldic items of the country.

Under the House-approved measure, a P 100,000 fine and two-year imprisonment await a performer who will deviate from the official musical arrangement of “Lupang Hinirang” as composed by Julian Felipe.

“Lupang Hinirang” should be sung in a marching-type tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat and 2/4 beat when played, the bill said. 

Several popular singers, among them Journey’s Arnel Pineda, Martin Nievera, and the all-female group La Diva had been criticized for their renditions of the country’s National Anthem, both during the fights of Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao. (Debbie Duraliza with reports from ABS-CBNNews.com)

Berkeley-trained Molina

Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) president Mark Joseph doesn't play favorites. He treats the athletes on the national swimming team equally. But Joseph will be the first to admit that the 5'8", 170-pound, 21-year-old Miguel Molina probably has the best chance to win a medal at the Asian Games or even the Olympics.

"He's the one I'm drum-beating for a medal in Beijing," says Joseph. "With three years to go, he is already ranked No. 15 in the world."

Joseph believes Molina could've bagged as many as seven gold medals in the last Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with the proper focus, direction and support. Still, Joseph isn't complaining. Molina, after all, hauled in three gold medals and a silver - in the process, setting four new Philippine records. And Joseph himself is new to the job, hardly warming his seat in less than a year as PASA president.

"He's growing up and he needs to face the realities of life," notes Joseph. "I'll try and parlay that into an Asian or Olympic medal. It won't be easy [but with] the right kind of support, he can do it."

At the moment, Joseph says Molina is concentrated on making a big splash in his final year as a varsity swimmer for the University of California at Berkeley. "He's in his last season as a senior," continues Joseph. "He's very busy and his coaches are kicking his ass. It's his swan song for Berkeley."

At the 2003 SEA Games in Vietnam, Molina captured two gold, two silver and three bronze medals. His harvest in the SEA Games in Manila last year wasn't as bountiful in terms of numbers, but was more productive in terms of quality.

Molina picked up his first gold medal in the last SEA Games with a clocking of 4:26.21 in the 400-meter individual medley, breaking Carlo Piccio's national record of 4:30.31 set in 2001. Ariski Parmadi of Indonesia was a distant second at 4:48.53. Then came his gold in the 200-meter individual medley as he timed in at 2:03.8, erasing his own national record of 2:04.68 established at the World Championships in Montreal last July. Runner-up Radamyos Matjiur of Thailand wasn't close at 2:07.12. Molina took a third gold medal by clocking 2:16.88 in the 200-meter breaststroke, resetting his own national record of 2:18.71. Vorrawuti Aumpiwan of Thailand was second at 2:17.56.

In the 200-meter freestyle, Molina settled for the silver medal with a time of 1:52.83, eclipsing his own national record of 1:52.89 set in 2003. Daniel Bego of Malaysia pocketed the gold by a fraction of a second at 1:52.67 and Bryan Tay Zhirong of Singapore took the bronze at 1:54.39.

"I think the SEA Games in Manila coinciding with my senior year in the NCAA definitely helped me to improve my times," says Molina. "Since it's my last year swimming for Berkeley, I've been training harder and also I now have more experience than I had in Vietnam. I think my failures in the last Olympics fueled me to swim harder in practice and make sure that my times would drop."

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Molina went only as far as the heats in four events. A consolation was he placed second in his 200-meter breaststroke heat with a clocking of 2:19.19 and third in his 200-meter individual medley heat at 2:05.28.

Molina describes his Olympic experience as unforgettable.

"Being there was a great experience," he relates. "It was my first time in Greece and I loved sight-seeing after my competitions were done even though it was limited. Although I did not do as well as I personally thought I would, I enjoyed hanging out with the rest of the Philippine team in our apartments at the Olympic Village."

Molina failed to earn a medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games even as he qualified for the finals in the 200-meter freestyle (fifth) and the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medleys (both sixth). To gain a medal at the Asian Games in Doha this year and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 would be a dream come true for Molina.

Molina was born in Quezon City. He was only three years old when his parents Tomas and Mitos moved the family to Tokyo after they were contracted to teach at St. Mary's International School. It was in Tokyo where Molina learned to swim.

"I started swimming when I was in first grade, so I was around six years old," said Molina in an interview by Gretchen Kell found on the Berkeley Web site. "I don't know if there's any truth to this story, but apparently soon after I was born either my grandfather or my dad put me in the bathtub and I was floating, so I guess you could say I started early. No one else in my family swims. My parents are both runners and basketball players."

Even as Molina has lived most of his life outside the Philippines, he often visits home because his relatives, except for two aunts, are in the country. A sister, 18, is enrolled at Stanford University as a freshman.

Molina studied at St. Mary's for 12 years, was on the honor roll from Grade 9 to 12 and skippered the swimming varsity team for two years. He was a four time Swimmer of the Year at St. Mary's.

From St. Mary's, Molina chose to study in California after seriously considering the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University.

"My coach in Tokyo recommended swimming under coach Nort," says Molina. "I felt the other schools I was looking at didn't have the reputation that Berkeley had in Tokyo."

Since transferring to California in 2002-03, Molina has made waves in Berkeley and was described as the most versatile varsity swimmer during his junior season last year for posting a top-six time in six events, including second place in the 200-meter individual medley (his favorite event "because I have the most fun training for it and swimming it"), and gaining All-American honors.

On campus, a typical day for Molina begins with a 6 a.m. practice swim. After two hours, he goes back to the dorm to nap, relax, study or watch TV if there is no class schedule. Afternoon practice starts at 1 p.m. and extends to 4:30 p.m. Then he reports for class and has dinner at 7 p.m.

"When my workload is light, I just watch TV or surf the Internet," says Molina. "I usually try to get my homework done on the weekends. If I need to get it done on the weekdays, I do it after dinner. I try to go to bed by 9 p.m. but it ends up being after 10 p.m. sometimes. I want to get a good eight or nine hours of sleep to be prepared for practice the next morning."

It's a Spartan regimen for Molina but he knows working hard is the only way to get ahead in anything in life.

No doubt, Molina has become a more mature athlete with the experience of competing in the Olympics, two World Championships, an Asian Games, two SEA Games and the US NCAA. His poise and maturity were evident in the last SEA Games where he smashed four Philippine records on the way to collecting three gold medals and a silver.

Molina says he'll continue swimming competitively until he reaches his full potential. That could mean the sky's the limit for Molina as he prepares to go for gold in Doha and maybe even a medal for Beijing.

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Pacquiao's pick Zyrene vows to sing anthem in 55 seconds

When international boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito slug it out in Dallas, Texas on November 13, a new face in the music industry will be taking centerstage to render the national anthem.

Interviewed on Mornings@ANC, rising talent Zyrene Parsad, who was personally handpicked by the Pacman to sing "Lupang Hinirang" during the bout, admits she welcomes the opportunity, but is also having sleepless nights over the prospect of singing in such a prominent setting as the international boxing arena.

"I was invited to his [Pacquiao's] Investors' Night at the New World Hotel in Saranggani, He called me after a week and said, 'Ikaw ang kakanta ng Lupang Hinirang sa fight ko.' I wanted to hug him and say `Thank you so much,' because this is such a big break for me," recalls Zyrene, who broke into the music scene after winning 3rd place in the singing search "Are You the Next Big Star?"

No stranger to the music stage, Zyrene admits she received the news with mixed emotions.

"I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm having sleepless nights. Before I go to bed, I pray then I sing the 'Lupang Hinirang' in my mind, and when I wake-up, I sing the 'Lupang Hinirang'," Zyrene says, adding she sings the anthem every chance she gets.

It's Zyrene's way of getting the hymn into her system, following the controversies over the various renditions of the song at international boxing matches, and a clear sign she is serious about singing it right.

"When we learned that I was chosen by our Pacman, my mom and my dad told me to visit the National Historical Commission of the Philippines so you can ask advise on how you're going to sing the Philippine National Anthem. I also went to Senator Chiz Escudero because I think he passed the bill on how to sing the Philippine National anthem right. And then last week, I went to Mr. C [Ryan Cayabyab] to ask for some advice."

"I keep on praying and memorizing the lines. In school, we didn't have a subject on how to do it right, but what I do now is, I read every line and feel it from the heart. That's Mr. C's advise: to sing it from the heart and everything's going to follow."

Zyrene is scheduled to leave on October 29 for Texas, where the fight will be held on November 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila).

Come fight night, boxing fans can expect a traditional rendition of the national anthem from Zyrene.

"I'm going to sing it in 55 seconds. I'm going to sing it right, not on my own interpretation, because I respect the composer of the song."

The assurance comes after several singers came under fire for rendering their own interpretation of "Lupang Hinirang."

Zyrene adds she will be wearing a red Filipiniana gown decked with Swarovski crystals, designed by Pepsi Herrera, to the event.

Grateful for her biggest break yet, Zyrene's newly launched self-titled album, which features 13 tracks, is now out in the market.

Zyrene Parsad prepares to sing Phil. National Anthem in Pacquiao-Margarito bout

When up-coming singer Zyrene Parsad renders her rendition of the “Lupang Hinirang” on the November 13 fight of Manny Pacquiao against Mexican Antonio Margarito, such privilege can either rise her to eventual stardom of become the first artist to be jailed for violating a new law prescribing the right way to sing the National Anthem.

Parsad whose only credential was a third place finish in a singing contest conducted by a television station, was chosen by Pacquiao himself after hearing the young entertainer sang the National Anthem during a gathering of businessmen held recently in a posh Makati hotel.

House Bill 465, which is sure to become a law after recently hurdled the third reading in the Lower House, will impose jail sentence to anyone who will deviate from its original marching tempo in singing the National Anthem. Any violator will also be fined no less than P100,000.

While admitting she feels nervous going the center-stage at the huge Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, site of the fight for the world welterweight championship, the 24-year-old songstress promised though to do it right.

To do it right, Parsad said she will be consulting National Historical Commission of the Philippines on how the anthem should be properly sang.

“Kailangan ko po talagang mag-consult kasi sila ang nagde-decide kung tama o mali ang pag-render mo ng Lupang Hinirang,” she said aware of the fate of other more illustrious personalities like Arnel Pineda, Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha, Kyla, Charice Pempengco, Jennifer Bautista and Christian Bautista, who earned the ire of the NHCP for their “wrong” rendition in the seven-division world champion’s previous fights.

Plan is to also seek the help of internationally-known Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab who coached Filipina international sensation Charice Pempengco when she sang the national anthem during the inauguration of President Noynoy Aquino.

Parsad said it is an honor to have been chosen to sing the National Anthem before the world audience confessing she’s excited that such an appearance might finally make her an international star.

“Masaya at kinakabahan, siyempre. World champion si Pacquiao at congressman pa.Talagang malaking karangalan na makasama ka sa laban niya. Lalo’t ang manunood say o ay ang buong mundo,” she said excitedly. “

To prepare her physically and to strengthen her vocal chords, Parsad said she has been going swimming daily. 

Zyrene consults NHCP over national anthem

Zyrene Parsad, the young singer chosen by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao to sing the Philippine national anthem in his upcoming fight in Dallas, Texas this November, visited the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Tuesday to get pointers on how to sing the anthem properly. 

Parsad arrived at the NHCP at 10 a.m. to consult the organization on the proper way of singing the anthem.

Parsad was asked to render “Lupang Hinirang” as NHCP officials observed the pacing of her song.

NHI’s Heraldry section chief Teddy Atienza reminded Parsad not to change the tune and tempo of the song when she performs in November. He said taking liberties with the national anthem could lead to a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 plus a 1-year jail sentence, in accordance with the provisions of the National Flag Law. If Congress raises the penalty and makes P100,000 plus a 2-years jail sentence.

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned if the measure subsequently, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens’ arrest.

Atienza advised Parsad not to be nervous so she won’t forget her lines like what happened to singer Christian Bautista.

The NHCP has previously reminded Filipino artists singing the national anthem during Pacquiao fights not to take liberties with the song. Among those chastised by the institution for their wrong renditions of the anthem are Martin Nievera, Arnel Pineda, La Diva, Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha and Charice Pempengco. 

The NHCP said that if properly sung with a two-fourths beat and 100 metronomes, the national anthem should last 53 seconds. 

Babastos sa ‘Lupang Hinirang’ parurusahan

APRUBADO na sa ikatlong pagbasa ang panukalang batas na magpapataw ng multa at parusa sa mga hindi magbibigay respeto sa pambansang awit ng Pilipinas na “Lupang Hinirang”.

Sa botong 196 ng kabuuang bilang ng mga kongresista ay naipasa sa ikatlong pagbasa ang House Bill 465 o “ An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.”

Sa ilalim ng panukala, pagmumultahin ng P100,000 at makukulong ng dalawang taon ang sinumang performer na lalayo sa official musical arrangement ng “Lupang Hinirang” na binuo ni Julian Felipe.

“Lupang Hinirang” should be sung in a marching-type tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat and 2/4 beat when played,” binigyang diin pa ng pangunahing may-akda ng panukala na si Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero.

Bukod sa Pambansang Awit, inaprubahan din ang consolidated bills na House Bills 603 at 465 na nagbabawal sa paggamit ng Philippine flag at iba pang heraldic items and devices bilang advertising tool para sa political o private purposes, at pananamit o fashion accessory.

Maaari lamang gamitin ang watawat na pangtakip sa casket o kabaong ng nasawing miyembro ng militar, veterans, national artists, o civilian na nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa. Meliza Maluntag

Pacquiao picks Zyrene to sing anthem

Filipino boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has chosen 24-year-old Zyrene Parsad to sing the Philippine anthem for his fight against Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito in Texas, USA on November 13.

According to Parsad, Pacquiao personally chose her to sing “Lupang Hinirang” after he heard her perform in an Investor’s night in Sarangani.

With all the controversies surrounding the rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” during previous Pacquiao fights, Parsad vowed to sing the anthem correctly.

The young singer said she is already preparing for the much awaited Pacquiao-Margarito bout.

She said she tries to sing the national anthem every morning so she can be more familiar with its tempo and lyrics. She also jogs every day to improve her breathing.

National Flag Law author Salvador Escudero III, meanwhile, said he will give Parsad references on the proper way to sing the national anthem.

Parsad is set to meet with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on Friday or Monday to give her tips on how to sing the anthem correctliy.

According to Section 37 of Republic Act (RA) 8491, the rendition of the national anthem, 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 Palma only in 1899.

The NHCP, 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 NHCP.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in schools. 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.

Section 20 of the law also states: "The rendition of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo."

RA 8491 prescribes that any person who will violate its provisions may be punished by a fine of at least P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year. If the Congress raises the penalty and make P100,000 or imprisonment of not more than two years.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned subsequently, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.