Ang Laya Mo’y Babantayan: The History of the patriotic song, Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Not much could be gathered of the famous patriotic song, Pilipinas Kong Mahal. Sung in numerous state events and in Philippine flag ceremonies, it doesn’t invoke the usual unfeeling tune performed by marching bands. This was understandable because these songs were designed to rouse the fighting spirit and sound the call to arms. But Pilipinas Kong Mahal stands out. When one observes the tune, one could feel a tinge of sadness that wraps up in a powerful resolve to defend Pilipinas, redeemed at such a high cost.
*The raising of the Philippine flag at the Independence Flag Pole at Rizal Park, Manila (taken last June 11, 2017).
The song itself surprises us. It’s inspiration is foreign, the song, aptly rooted from the Philippine colonial experience. It arose at the time when the Philippines was under American rule. By virtue of Act No. 1696 enacted by the American-led Philippine Commission on August 23, 1907, the display of the Philippine flag, and all symbols of the First Philippine Republic, including the Katipunan flags, emblems, and the Marcha Nacional Filipina (our national anthem) were strictly prohibited. Violators were fined, or imprisoned from 3 months to 5 years.
As part of the American apparatus of pacifying the islands, Prescott F. Jernegan, an American civics teacher at Philippine Normal School (now Philippine Normal University), composed a hymn to replace the Marcha Nacional Filipina with a national hymn entitled, “Philippines, My Philippines.” The hymn was inspired by “Maryland, My Maryland,” the official anthem of the U.S. State of Maryland.
I love my own, my native land
Philippines, my Philippines
To thee I give my heart and hand
Philippines, my Philippines
The trees that crown thy mountains grand,
The seas that beat upon thy strand
Awake my heart to thy command,
Philippines, my Philippines
Ye islands of the Eastern sea
Philippines, my Philippines
Thy people we shall ever be
Philippines, my Philippines
Our fathers lived and died in thee
And soon shall come the day when we
Lie down with them at God’s decree
Philippines, My Philippines
Yet still beneath thy ardent sky
Philippines, my Philippines
More numerous sons shall live and die
Philippines, my Philippines
In them shall breathe the purpose high
The glorious day to bring more nigh
When all may sing without a sigh
Philippines, My Philippines
The anthem was included as part of the music textbook Philippine Progressive Music Series for the Primary Grades in 1914 and taught to Filipino children. Sources suggests it was quite similar to the Maryland anthem that inspired it, which in turn was inspired by O Tannenbaum, a German Christmas song. There was nothing wrong with the lyrics, but since it’s in English, and the feel of the music was American, there was a certain distance between the common Filipino and the song being sung.
In 1930, Filipino musical composer and the first Filipino director of the U.P. Conservatory of Music and known “Father of Kundiman,” Francisco Santiago, set out to compose the melody for Philippines, My Philippines. The music that came out, evoked the musical tradition of Kundiman (in ¾), the type of Tagalog music from the late 19th century that is characterized by sad, rhythmic and smooth undertones, it’s lyrics often fatalistic, often portraying a heartbroken lover willing to bear his all just to get the heart of an unreachable beautiful maiden. Kundiman comes from “Kung hindi man” (if it’s not meant to be) making it sad and beautiful. Santiago’s music was original and truly Filipino.
The exact date was lost to us in history but probably sometime in the post war years, poet Ildefonso Santos Sr., translated, shortened, and tweaked the lyrics. By this time, the song–music and lyrics– has transformed into a Filipino favorite. In effect, we have transformed something that was designed to subjugate us into something that became inherently ours. Since then, it has become part of the line up of patriotic songs in state ceremonies. Consider the simple lyrics that was sung up to the 70s. It begins with the cherishing of a country, “Ang bayan ko’y tanging ikaw…”, with a promise that our heart and life will be offered to her without hesitation.
Ang bayan ko’y tanging ikaw
Ang aking puso’t buhay man
Ang lagi kang paglingkuran
Ang laya mo’y isanggalang
Listen to the song HERE performed Philippine Constabulary Band and the Philippine Constabulary Choral Ensemble, circa 1970s.
During the country’s experience under the scourge of dictatorship, the song further evolved, being sung among a host of Filipino patriotic songs in massive protests that led to the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. It was a small addition to the lyrics, but the song remains powerful.
Ang bayan ko’y tanging ikaw,
Tungkulin ko’y gagampanan
Na lagi kang paglingkuran
It is such a wonder that such a song with a few words could stir such emotion. I’ve wondered about it when I listened to it being sung and performed at yesterday’s Independence Day rites at Luneta and at Quirino Grandstand.
The song captures the story of the nation that has, time and time again, brought itself up to its feet. Now that we have celebrated our 119th Independence Day, may we always cherish this freedom that was bought at a high price. Let us never belittle it or take it for granted. Let us guard it with our lives, as did the Filipinos who’ve gone before us.
Indeed, “Ang laya mo’y babantayan, Pilipinas kong hirang!”
Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan sa ating lahat! (Photo taken at last night’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration, from the Manila Pavilion Hotel).
