The Philippine National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang traces its origin way back to the year 1898. It has undergone a series of changes until it became the most sung composition by the Filipinos. History records that the original anthem did not contain any lyrics, rather, it was a march set to music.
Filipino composer Julian Felipe was tasked to arrange the instrumental composition under the orders of late President Emilio Aguinaldo, which was entitled Marcha Filipina- Magdalo. The musical piece is said to be based on Spain’s National anthem Marcha Real and France’s Le Marseillaise and was renamed as Marcha Nacional Filipina. It was accepted by the First Philippine Republic on June 11, 1898 and on the first Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 1898, the composition was played bythe Banda San Francisco de Malabon, known as today’s Banda Matanda of General Trias.
The following year, August 1899, creation of the lyrics began, as the Spanish poem Filipinas (also known as Tierra Adorada) is produced by Jose Palma. The poem is intended for publishing on the first anniversary of the La Independencia newspaper on September 3, 1899. Filipinas was later adapted to the tune of Marcha Nacional.
Upon the entry of the Americans, a prohibition under the Flag Act of 1907 was created, which banned the use of the composition. However, in 1919, the law was repealed, allowing Commonwealth Act No.382 to adopt Marcha Nacional Filipina as the nation’s anthem on September 5, 1938.
During the American regime however, the increased number of people who spoke English outnumbered those who spoke Spanish. This prompted the government to order the translation of Filipinas to English. Amongst the versions presented, Camilio Osias and A.L. Lane’s “Land of the Morning” became the most notable translation and was made to be the official lyrics for the Philippine National Anthem in 1938.
During this same time, there were also ongoing debates on what the national language should be. By the 1940’s, the nationalistic views led to the idea that the hymn was not to be sung in the language of the invaders. Others also argued that Tagalog must be hailed as the national language. Due to this, several translations of Palma’s Filipinas into Tagalog were made.
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