The Philippine National Anthem

The Philippine National Anthem was one of the patriotic outbursts  of the Philippine Revolution. It has its own colorful history. Although it is nationalistic in spirit. It is like most other national anthems that do not conform to native or indigenous music.

The Philippine National Anthem came to life through the collaboration of two Filipinos.  Julian Felipe, a music teacher and composer, Jose Palma, a poet and soldier. The original manuscript of the musical composition is called Himno Nacional Filipino, but usually only Himno is in song. When it is played without the words, it is known as Marcha Nacional. The first page of the original containing the introductory part has the heading Marcha Filipina Magdalo. Because Aguinaldo’s Katipunan name was also known as the Aguinaldo March.

Upon recommendation of General Mariano Trias, Julian Felipe went to the residence of Aguinaldo and played the music of the hymn. He deliberately added some melodic reminiscences of the Spanish royal monarchy in order to preserve the memory of the old metropolis. On June 22, 1898, Julian Felipe presented to Aguinaldo the rough draft of the march, which Aguinaldo, Trias and the other leaders of the Revolution agreed to officially adopt as “Marcha National Filipina”. On June 12, 1898, Philippine Independence was proclaimed, and the musical band of San Francisco de Malabon majestically played for the first time the marcha. On May 19, 1924, Felipe applied for a copyright of the National Anthem under the title of El Himno National Filipino, but because it had acquired the nature of a common public property since the first day of the republic, its registration was denied.

Because the Philippine legislature also wanted to compensate Felipe for his work, it passed an act authorizing a certain amount to be paid to him by the Insular Treasurer on the condition that the original manuscript be delivered to the Bureau of the Philippine Library and Museum. On December 11, 1924, Felipe forwarded the original manuscript of the composition to the Philippine Library and Museum. Where it is now deposited and kept among other historical documents in the Filipiniana Division of the National Library.

The verses of the National Anthem were written much later than its music; the music was composed on June 11, 1898 in Cavite, while the verses were written in Bautista, Pangasinan August and September, 1899. Palma wrote his verses to suit the music of the National Anthem and very appropriately called it “Filipinas”. His poem was published the first time on September 3, 1899 in La Independencia. In 1920s, Palma’s original Spanish lyrics underwent several translation in English and Tagalog. The most popular were the English version by Camilio Osias and M. A. L. Lane and the Tagalog version also by Camilo Osias.  The Patriotic poem, like the national music and flag, was a natural product  of the Filipino struggle for independence. The unifying spirit of the national anthem had been established since the days of the Republic and is now part of the Filipino cultural heritage. 

Related Topics:
     Lupang Hinirang: Tagalog version
          - English Version translated by Paz Marquez Benitez
          - Filipinas: Spanish Verison (Letra para la Marcha Nacional Filipina)
     What is a National Anthem