The national anthem, "Lupang Hinirang"

Composed by Julian Felipe on June 11, 1898

National anthem of Philippines Lyrics Jos Palma, 1899 Music 1898

Lupang Hinirang is the national

anthem of the Philippines. Its music was composed in 1898 by Julin Felipe, with lyrics in Spanish adapted from the poem Filipinas, written by Jos Palma in 1899.

Lupang Hinirang in Filipino or Tagalog

means "Chosen Land" in English. Some English sources erroneously translate Lupang Hinirang as "Beloved Land" or "Beloved Country"

"Beloved Land" is a translation of the first line of Filipinas, which would be Tirra adorada, and "Beloved Country" is likewise a translation of the first line of the current version of the anthem, which would be Bayang Magiliw.

The Lupang Hinirang began as an instrumental march which Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned for use in the proclamation of Philippine independence from Spain.

The title of the new march was Marcha Filipina Magdalo ("Magdalo Philippine March") and was later changed to Marcha Nacional Filipina ("Philippine National March") upon its adoption as the national anthem of the First Philippine Republic on June 11, 1898

In August 1899, Jos Palma wrote the poem Filipinas in Spanish. The poem was published for the first time in the newspaper La Independencia on September 3, 1899. It was subsequently adopted as the lyrics to the anthem.

Philippine law requires that the anthem always be rendered in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julin Felipe, but the original holograph cannot be located.

In the 1920s, the time signature was changed to 4/4 to facilitate its singing and the key was changed from the original C major to G.

During the 1920s, with the repeal of the Flag Law, which banned the use of all Filipino national symbols, the American colonial government decided to translate the national hymn from Spanish to English. The first translation was written around that time by Paz Marquez Benitez of the University of the Philippines, who was also a famous poet during that time.

The most popular translation, called the "Philippine Hymn", was written by senator Camilo Osas and an American, Mary A. Lane. The "Philippine Hymn" was legalized by an act of the Philippine Congress in 1938.

Tagalog translations started appearing during the 1940s, with the first translation known as Diwa ng Bayan ("Spirit of the Country"), which was sung during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, followed by the next most popular O Sintang Lupa ("O Beloved Land") by Julian Cruz Balmaceda, Ildefonso Santos, and Francisco Caballo.

O Sintang Lupa was approved as the

national anthem in 1948. Upon the adoption of Diwa ng Bayan, the song

Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas

and the Japanese national anthem Kimigayo was replaced.

During the term of President Ramon Magsaysay, Education Secretary Gregorio Hernndez formed a commission to revise the Tagalog lyrics. On May 26, 1956, the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, was finally sung in Pilipino. Minor revisions were made in the 1960s, and it is this version, made by Felipe Padilla de Len, which is in use today.

The Filipino lyrics have been confirmed by a new national symbols law (Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) in 1998, but not the English and Spanish

Lupang Hinirang was not the first Filipino

national anthem to be conceived.

The composer and revolutionist Julio Nakpil composed Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan (Honorable Hymn of Katagalugan),

which later called Salve Patria (Save our Motherland). Which was intended as the official anthem of the Katipunan, the secret society that spearheaded the Revolution.

It is considered a national anthem because Andrs Bonifacio, the chief founder of the Katipunan,

converted the organization into a revolutionary government - with himself as president - known as the Republika ng Katagalugan (Tagalog Republic) just before hostilities erupted.

The Katipunan or Republika ng Katagalugan was superseded by Aguinaldo's Republica Filipina.

The anthem, later renamed Himno Nacional, was never adopted by Aguinaldo for unspecified reasons.

It should be noted that Katagalugan, in its usage in the anthem, meant the Philippines as a whole and not just the Tagalogspeaking Filipinos.

Only the latest and current Filipino version is officially recognized by law.

The Flag and Heraldic Code, approved on February 12, 1998, specifies, "The National Anthem shall always be sung in the

national language

within or without the country", and provides fine and imprisonment penalties for violations

Article XVI, Section 2 of the present Philippine Constitution specifies that

"The Congress may, by law, adopt a new name for the country, a national anthem, or a national seal,

which shall be truly reflective and symbolic of the ideals, history, and traditions of the people. Such law shall take effect only upon its ratification by the people in a national referendum."

The 1998 Republic Act (R.A.) 8491 (the

Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) regulates the usage of the
Philippine national anthem.

It also contains the complete lyrics of Lupang Hinirang.

R.A. 8491 specifies that Lupang Hinirang "shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe. However, when literally followed, this means that the national anthem should only be performed

as these were the only versions that were produced by Julian Felipe.

by a pianist or by a brass band,

Moreover, because the original version was composed in duple time (i.e. in a time signature of 2/4) as compared to the present quadruple time (4/4),

It is uncertain if this will either slow down or even double the music's speed, making it difficult for singers to keep up with the music.

Regardless of this, the national anthem is still sung with the lyrics.

R.A. 8491 also states that Lupang

Hinirang

"shall always be sung in the national language" regardless if performed

inside or outside the Philippines,

and specifies that the singing must be done with fervor.

The National Anthem is usually played during public gatherings in the Philippines or in foreign countries where the Filipino audience is sizable. R.A. 8491 also provides that it be played at other occasions as may be allowed by the National Historical Institute.

R.A. 8491 prohibits its playing or singing for mere recreation, amusement, or entertainment except during the following occasions:

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; and Before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances.

R.A. 8491 specifies

A public or government official or employee who fails to observe the regulations of R.A. 8491

fine or imprisonment penalties for any person or juridical entity which violates its provisions.

This also applies to persons connected with

may face administrative sanctions in addition to the penalties imposed by law.

government-held corporations, public schools, and state colleges and universities.