MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Vicente Sotto III urged his colleagues in the Upper Chamber to look into the possibility of revising the last line of our national anthem.
Sotto made the suggestion during the plenary debates on the proposed amendment to Republic Act 8491, particularly the bill that proposes to increase the number of rays in the Philippine Flag.
The last two lines of Lupang Hinirang go, “Aming ligaya na ’pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo.”
Reading from a piece of paper, Sotto suggested the lines be changed to “ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo.”
The Senate president explained that he met several composers and writers and they had the same sentiment that the lines sound “defeatist.”
Sotto clarified that he doesn't expect that changes be made right away but hopes it will also be tackled soon. He said, “I’m not suggesting it right now. I’m just saying that perhaps you have looked into this (Philippine flag), might as well look into the entire law.”
Sen. Richard Gordon supported the idea and agreed to file a separate bill for it. Gordon co-authored Senate Bill 102 that seeks to increase the number of rays of the sun from 7 to 8 in the Philippine Flag to represent Muslim leaders.
Jose Palma wrote the lyrics to Lupang Hinirang while Julian Felipe arranged it in 1898. It was in 1956 when former President Ramon Magsaysay declared ‘Lupang Hinirang’ as the country’s national anthem.
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Senate President Sotto suggested new lines for the Philippine National Anthem. |
Sotto made the suggestion during the plenary debates on the proposed amendment to Republic Act 8491, particularly the bill that proposes to increase the number of rays in the Philippine Flag.
The last two lines of Lupang Hinirang go, “Aming ligaya na ’pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo.”
Reading from a piece of paper, Sotto suggested the lines be changed to “ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo.”
The Senate president explained that he met several composers and writers and they had the same sentiment that the lines sound “defeatist.”
Sotto clarified that he doesn't expect that changes be made right away but hopes it will also be tackled soon. He said, “I’m not suggesting it right now. I’m just saying that perhaps you have looked into this (Philippine flag), might as well look into the entire law.”
Sen. Richard Gordon supported the idea and agreed to file a separate bill for it. Gordon co-authored Senate Bill 102 that seeks to increase the number of rays of the sun from 7 to 8 in the Philippine Flag to represent Muslim leaders.
Jose Palma wrote the lyrics to Lupang Hinirang while Julian Felipe arranged it in 1898. It was in 1956 when former President Ramon Magsaysay declared ‘Lupang Hinirang’ as the country’s national anthem.
— Sally, The Summit Express
