First of all, we referred to the national anthem as the “Bayang Magiliw” when we were kids. We all knew what we were referring to when we called it that. Being told it is actually “Lupang Hinirang” is nice, but it comes across like being told to refer to a chair as “salumpuwet” rather than “silya”.
Second, and to the point, why the emphasis on dying for your country, the punchline at the end of the song which goes ang mamatay nang dahil sa yo…?
Maybe this is the reason the Philippines never developed a strong martial tradition and a proud military that mirrors this. Perhaps it is because Filipinos are encouraged to die rather than to live and achieve.
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It’s time a more positive spin be put in what defines the Filipino. Achievement is done by the living, not the dead. Strong nations are built when its people live and win, and not die and be wistfully remembered vaguely as “heroes”.
Webmaster of Get Real Philippines