Just because I heard Lana (my 7 year old niece) singing Jingle Bells, memorized it solely by listening to her mom’s iPod, I protested that she must know the Philippine national anthem before anything else—well, learn Filipino altogether because I wouldn’t want her to grow up not knowing how to pronounce her supposed mother tongue properly.
Yes, I am not a fan of pure Filipinos who grew up somewhere in the world and are such disgraces to the beloved language.
It may sound funny and “sosyal” but to look without a doubt like a true blue Pinoy/ay and utter words in that Americanized slang (thanks to Dora and the Disney channel), is just eye/ear sore. It would be more prouding if she’d know both. Well. Appropriately.
So one Facetime moment, since she can absorb like a sponge and memorize anything you tell her, I started reciting Lupang Hinirang to her (I needed to translate it in English just so she can grasp what she’s memorizing, and boy, it was terribly hard! Not because it’s difficult to convert but because it’s painful to hear the direct translation! : ]).
Then immediately after, I insisted that studying in an international school doesn’t excuse her from learning Panatang Makabayan (Oath of Allegiance) by heart.
So my equally nationalistic sister asked me if I recall the words. I started typing as I retrieve from my failing memory and just searched Wikipedia to fill in the (confused) blanks.
Panatang Makabayan (Oath of Allegiance)
Original version
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi
Ako ay kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang
Bilang ganti, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.
Then I learned that there’s a current version already.
Current version
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
aking lupang sinilangan,
tahanan ng aking lahi;
kinukupkop ako at tinutulungang
maging malakas, masipag, at marangal.
Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas,
diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang,
susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan,
tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng mamamayang makabayan;
naglilingkod, nag-aaral, at nagdarasal
nang buong katapatan.
Iaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap, pagsisikap
sa bansang Pilipinas
There’s not much difference in thought, just minor modifications in wording.
As for me, I like the original version better, maybe because I’m used to it and there’s a plethora of nostalgia that comes with its words, even the way we were taught to say them, as well as the proper hand position.
(How we dread before when the teacher would walk around in line during the flag ceremony to reprimand those who are doing it wrongly [hand straight, fingers together, arms in 90 degrees, standing straight]. It’s a major sigh of relief when the teacher passes by you, which means you’re doing it okay).
Most importantly, I think the current version removed the most iconic part for me—“Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa”.
We used to shout these last 7 words with full conviction teeming with nationalistic pride (or just because these words mean the morning ceremony is almost over and we can start chatting with friends again: ]).
Don’t judge, we were young. But now as an adult, with full consciousness of my role in lifting the Philippines to its highest potential, I would like to echo what my sister suggested—that this oath be printed on our passports (and for me even on all our national IDs) to serve as a reminder:
- of our allegiance to the country,
- to those who mindlessly do things that put her to shame,
- of what it has done for us,
- and more importantly, what we can do for our mother land.
We may all be exploring different horizons as of press time, but wherever we are, may we carry ourselves in such a way that with lookers or without, we may make our country proud.
May we be the best representatives of being a Filipino, sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa (in thoughts, in words, and in actions).
Whatever being a true Filipino means to you.
Jack and Jill of All Trades 