Anything under the sun
Let's sing our National Anthem (1)
(Editor's note: The writer was a music scholar at the Philippine Normal University.)
During this Flag Month (May – June), it is proper to dwell on the singing of the Philippine National Anthem especially when there are prevailing criticisms on the bastardization in the signing of this sacred song.
For backgrounder, the music of our national Anthem was composed by Julian Felipe during the Philippine Revolution. It was entitled Himno Nacional in two-quarters time signature and in tempo di marcia.
This was played for the first time during the Independence Day on June 12, 1898 at Kawit, Cavite by the San Francisco de Malabon Band.
About two years later, Jose Palma supplied the lyrics of this song in Spanish whose first phrase was “Tierra adorada, Hija del sol Oriente...” During the early days of the American occupation, the singing and playing of this song was banned.
Later, the ban was lifted and the Anthem was sung in schools and during government official functions. This time, the lyrics were in English supplied by Camilo Osias assisted by Miss M.A. Lane. Its first phrase was “Land of the morning, child of the sun returning...” this was the song on the lips of the dying soldiers in Bataan during the war.
After the Philippines became independent in 1946 from the United States, the Institute of National Language changed the lyrics to Tagalog which starts “Bayang magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan...” which was adopted in 1956.
Let us now start singing our national anthem. First, its tempo. It is tempo di marcia (march time). How long will it take to finish the song? It is fifty five (55) seconds. If the singing exceeds this, it is slower; if it is finished before this, it is faster.
Second, how about the beating? It is in two quarters (2/4) – meaning one, two, one, two... However, the practice is to beat it in four quarters (4/4) -- one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four... -- as in the school and government functions. This should be corrected because the original version as intended by Julian Felipe is two-quarters since it is in march time.
* * *
NOW AVAILABLE – Following volumes of “Interesting Facts about West Visayas” by this writer: Vol. 1 – The Maragtas; Vol. 2 – Malay Civilization and Culture; Vol. 3 – Commerce & Industry; Vol. 5 – Evangelization; Vol. 10 – Tourism and Vol. 11 – World War in Panay. For information, write the author in No. 4 Santa Ana Street, Molo, Iloilo City or call up tel. no. 337-3045.
These series are authorized as reference books in private and public schools per Regional Memorandum No. 60 dated May 25, 1993 of the DepEd Region 6.