How many readers here know the name of the Philippine National Anthem? Until recently I didn’t know what it was, I assumed the name was Bayang Magiliw, as those are the first words of the National Anthem, and I always remembered those words. So for me, that was the name! Recently, though, I was talking with somebody and the National Anthem came up. He asked me what the name of the Philippine National Anthem was…. I was kind of stumped. I sheepishly said “Bayang Magiliw?” I knew I must be wrong, but that is what was in my head. He informed that that it was actually called “Lupang Hinirang.” He even told me that a lot of Filipinos don’t know what the name of the National Anthem is. I don’t know how true that is, but that is what I was told.
The National Anthem is taken very seriously here! Not long after moving here, Feyma and I went to the movie theater to see a show. The lights were still on in the theater, it was still early. They started playing some video on the screen and singing. We didn’t really pay attention, we were talking and getting ready for the movie to start. Little did we realize that they were playing the National Anthem. An usher at the movie came to us and told us that if we didn’t stand we would have to leave the show! Honestly, we didn’t mean any disrespect, we just didn’t realize that the National Anthem was being played! Where I come from, they don’t play the National Anthem in movie theaters before the movie. When I go to the movies now, I make sure to stand and show respect when they play the Anthem, though!!
For those who are curious, here are the lyrics to the Philippine National Anthem:
Lupang Hinirang
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 di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.
Bob this a subject dear to my heart, I have personal experience of this, firstly Gina and I were walking down Roxas boulevard in Manila, otherwise known as Baywalk, when suddenly the National Anthem came on, many Filipinos were just chatting and largely ignoring it, I was well aware of what it was the first time I heard it, I didnt want to be the foreigner who did not pay respect for the anthem, and also I took the view that many Filipino's did fighting in the 2nd world war, and they were a superb fighting force.
In that respect I think those ones should be honoured, and the best way to do that is to show a mark of respect when the anthem is played, well as I said the Filipinos were just sitting around chatting, however I stopped on Roxas boulevard and stood still while it was being played. I think in the circumstances it was the right thing to do, if the Filipinos did not show respect that is a matter for them, but for me as the foreigener on tour I felt more comfortable doing it.
The 2nd story is about an Englishman and his pregnant Filipina wife who were sat in a restaraunt, one day, they were busily tucking into their meals when Lupang Hinirang was played, the Englishman have never heard of the national anthem and had no idea that it was such ! he just simply kept on eating his meal and was oblivious as most people are, well it was then reported to the thought police as we call them, that the foreighener had not stood to attention for the national anthem, later when it was pointed out to him, he apologized and one of the other patrons in the restaraunt just happened to be a Barangay President, he wanted the foreighener arrested and taken to court.
This story I got from PHILSTAR in the opinions section, later it was only when he explained that his wife had not informed him that it was the national anthem, did they drop the matter, it was obvious they showed some disgust at the wife, who also sat quite happily eating her meal, I suppose if she did not show respect, how could they expect the foreigner spouse to do also.
In Bacolod City where we have our house, they play the national anthem every morning at 10.00am when the malls open, I sometimes arrive at 10.00am to use Netopia, I also stand to attention and show respect, and also in the cinema's I have noticed it to, I also hard that filipinos will not go in the cinema because of that, I dont consider it a problem, but you will never hear them saying "Look at the bastos foreighener" because with me, I know the national anthem, and stand when it is played, so Bob I think you are right to do so, and I think foreigheners would do well to take the lead, let the Filipinos do as they wish, its their country, and if they do not show respect, well thats a matter for them.
Hi Pete – Good comments! I agree with you, it's a good thing to show respect to your country that you call home. The story about the Brit who kept eating his food while the Anthem played was particularly amusing!
Yes, I agree! We always stand for the Pambansang Awit whenever it plays, no matter what others around us do, and we know most of the words and try our best to sing it if it is a meeting where it is sung. I hate having to fake that part I can't remember! I didn't realize Lupang Hinirang was the title either! We love this country and want it to show!
Although I pledge my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America because of my citizenship, I still get emotional when I hear the national anthem of the Philippines. The song brings tears in my eyes and makes my nose bubbles. The lyrics to Bayang Magiliw has a lot of history and meaning behind it that's special to every Filipino. Till next time…
This topic is very sweet, Bob. We used to sing this everyday during flag raising in school. We also recited the Panatang Makabayan later changed to Panunumpa ng Watawat.
Just last night I told hubby that in my elementary days we sang Someone in the Kitchen w/ Dinah, Clementine, Down by the Old Millstream almost everyday. Hubby was stunned because these were american classics. By the way, I haven't even seen a millstream !
Hi AmericanLola – Your comment is touching. Not many ex-pats put the feeling into it like that.
Hi Julius – Welcome back! Even as an American Citizen, your roots are Filipino and your sentimentalism toward the Philippine Nation are to be expected!
Hi Jul – In my mind, I can see you and a group of Filipino kids singing those songs in the school yard. It brings a smile to my face!
Is there a translation for those National Anthem lyrics ? I would be interested in knowing what the words mean. I am still considering visiting there at a future time and I am learning many things I never knew before by reading your website and others related to things in Mindanao and other points in Philippines. My areas of interest are Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro. I apperciate your efforts to inform the world about Mindanao thru the effort you put into your website. Thanks again.
Hi Bob NY USA – Thanks for your comment. I will see if I can get somebody to translate it!
To both Bobs: The Filipinas heritage library has English and Spanish translations of Lupang Hinirang. Hope this helps and happy singing!
http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/filipiniana/nationala...
hahaha:lol: i love this site i have never been to the philippines before but i am looking about going there for chirtmas !! 😀 so i am happy to find a cite that tells you about it and has people from there
now i am from the philippines and i am not very happy with this cite becuz it stats to many wrong facts !!:razz::grin: hahaha just kidding i really like your cite !
Hi Lola/Linda – It seems, based on your IP address that you are the same person! Once you say that you have never been to the Philippines, next you say you are from the Philippines. What's up with that? 😥