The National Anthem is a patriotic music composition recognized by the government and it's citizens, eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of the people and is identified to be the national song of the country. The Philippines' national anthem is the "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) composed by Julian Felipe in 1898. The Philippine National Anthem is a product of revolution, a response to the need of the revolutionary times that gave birth to it. And this need arose in 1898, when the revolution against Spain was in its second year and a Filipino victory was in sight. 

 Republic Act No.8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code of The Philippines)

The national anthem shall be sung properly with its proper rendition as a sign of respect and compassionate, right hands must be placed on the chest,shoulder level high.
Philippine National Anthem shall not played for recreation except for special occasions like International competitions,opening a theater house,"signing on and off" of radio broadcasting and television stations and initial and last screening of films happens inside or outside of the country and other events that allows by the Institution of the Philippines. Failure to observe the rule shall undergo to administrative discipline for all the citizen of the Philippines.

Lyrics of Lupang Hinirang

Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng Puso
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay

lupang hinirang duyan ka nang magiting
sa manlulupig
di ka pasisiil
sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw

may dilag ang tula at awit sa pag layang minamahal
ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning
ang bituin at araw na kailan pa may di mag didilim

lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta
buhay ay langit sa piling mo
aming ligaya na 'pag may may mag-aapi
ang mamatay ng dahil sa yo.

 

The lyrics of the National Anthem depicts the love for one's country and the taste of victory we got from the invaders gives us joy to be free again. In this case it should be respected and loved by the people who are part of the country. The Lyrics are considered to be sacred because it was based on the history of the Philippines. A law was even established to honor and protect it. We shouldn't ignore the National Anthem especially when it is being played, always remember the rough history we had with the colonizers and the men, women, children and soldiers who died to protect our beloved land and retrieve what was once ours, freedom. 

Lately, there was an issue about altering the lyrics of the National Anthem of the Philippines on September 20, 2018

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has raised the possibility of changing the last two lines of the national anthem, which he said sounds like a “defeatist attitude.”

Sotto was referring to the lines: “Aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo (It is our joy to die because of you when oppressors come.)

“Patay na agad eh [It’s about death already]. I have thought of a line that could replace this: ‘Aming ligaya na ‘pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo (It is our joy to fight for your freedom when oppressors come.)

Changing the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem won't solve any major problems that are hindering the progress of the Philippines. So why would someone who is appointed as the President of the Senate of the Philippines, have an interest in changing the lyrics where in fact the National Anthem is not even a problem?

There are a lot of dilemmas that needs the full attention of every politician here in the Philippines. A lot of people especially famous celebrities turned to social media to share their views on the proposal to change the lyrics of the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang.” 

Vice Ganda first posted on his Twitter account:

“E kung palitan na lang yung last line ng national anthem ng ‘Ang matraffic ng dahil sa’yo’??!! Mas keri ba?” and later added on at the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment on it’s showtime. “Sa sobrang dami nilang ginagawa, naisip nilang palitan yata ang huling linya ng national anthem. Ung National Anthem ang ganda naman ng dulo nun diba ung,  We are willing to fight and die for our country.”

Ogie Diaz asked that if the national anthem will be revised, will the real problem of the Philippines be solved? 

“Pag pinalitan na po ba ang linyang yon sa Lupang Hinirang, bababa na po ang inflation? Mababawasan na ba ang lumalagong bilang ng corrupt officials?” 

TV host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal posted on her Twitter account a brief statement regarding the suggested change of lyrics.

“With all due respect, no thank you to changing our national anthem lyrics” 

A lot of Filipinos are opposing to this kind of proposal. Singing the national anthem is like a tradition to us, it has been with us for years, and if this tradition is to be changed wouldn’t that be disrespectful and annoying?  We’ve been used to its lyrics since we heard of it and the meaning of the lyrics is so beautiful.

We made this petition to start unity among fellow citizens of the Philippines to protect not just the lyrics but the whole composition of the Anthem and if ever there will be any issues or proposals made in the future that would concern changing our National Anthem, this petition shall defend and raise awareness that would remind us the core and true meaning of every word that was put into the song.

Your support will put pressure on our national and local government of the Philippines to make an immediate solution to keep on preserving the Philippine National Anthem.  

 Your ONE VOTE can truly make a difference in saving and preserving the composition of the Philippine National Anthem

Give your support and share this petition to your family and friends.

#WeloveourNationalAnthem  #PreserveLupangHinirang   #NoToChanges #WeAreAgainst  #RespectandHonor   #PartofOurHistoryandWillAlwaysbe  #BeautifulLyrics

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