MANILA – Senate President Vicente Sotto III has recommended revising the last two lines of the Philippine national anthem.
Sotto said the lines “aming ligaya na ‘pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo” suggest the “defeatist attitude” of Filipinos.
“Some people and mostly composers and writers I have been rubbing elbows with have told me that the last two lines in the Philippine national anthem sound like defeatist attitude,” he said.
Sotto suggested the lines be replaced with “aming ligaya na ‘pag may nang-aapi, ang ipaglaban kalayaan mo,.”
He added that his colleagues can look into this as they discuss the bill that seeks to put additional rays on the Philippine flag.
Based on historical records, first Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned Juan Felipe in 1898 to compose a “more stirring and majestic” march to inspire Filipinos to fight enemies.
Jose Palma wrote the lyrics of the Philippine national anthem a year after.
“I’m not suggesting it (revision) right now. I’m just saying that you might as well look into the entire law and that includes the Philippine national anthem,” Sotto said./PN
