The Philippines is on a long weekend. The public holiday June 12 , has been moved to June 9, for economic reasons that I know nothing of. For readers who do not know the significance of June 12, well, it is the Philippine's Independence day - from 300+ years of Spanish colonization. On June 12, 1898 -though the Philippines was then still under American "guidance"- Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed under his dictatorial government, the Philippine independence day. It was against Apolinario Mabini's advice - even the US consul- or was it governor general still? - refused to attend the ceremony. The proclamation was held at Aguinaldo's balcony in Kawit, Cavite.The Philippine flag, done in speed by Marcela Agoncillo, was designed by Aguinaldo himself. The first Philippine flag was imported from Hongkong - a precedent of the Pinoy's buying preference? The national anthem's melody was composed by Julian Felipe, a local band leader. For years, the anthem was without lyrics until Jose Palma wrote a poem that was late adopted as the lyrics.
Lupang Hinirang
Official version used since 1956
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.
Official version used since 1956
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.
The Philippines is indeed a troubled country. There are those who say that the US should not have allowed-given-permitted- the Philippines its independence. Oh wouldn't that be great! We'd be the 52nd state then we need not apply for visas to travel to the mainland! Ready or not, the Philippines is a free country - that in the procurement of independence a lot of lives were sacrificed.
Filipinos, look back so we can move forward. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
picture courtesy
Happy Independence day , Nice post. I hope we do have independence from poverty: the most pressing concern of the country today.
ReplyDeletetalaga june 9 na. nagisnan ko na june 12 tapos bigla june 9..para cguro long weekend.?!
ReplyDeleteI find it quite amusing (i'm not sure if that's the right word) that our national holidays are being moved for 'economic reasons'(?) ....the DAY won't be as significant na if they move it dba?
ReplyDeleteI just remembered the joke na sabi nila..baka daw if Jan 1 (New Year falls ) on a Wednesday, maybe our president will move it earlier so that long weekend or something like that.
jenailse: your wish is i think everybody's wish too.
ReplyDeleteshimumsy: i think the move was for economic reasons - as if!
lalaine: right you are: april 9, national heroes's day, was also moved for "economic reason"
baka! Jan 1 might be Jan 2-3. depends on GMA's economic reasons ! ahahaha