An American crooner named Frank Sinatra who lived his life doing it “my way,” would no doubt have been amused to note that today in the Philippines, singing the national anthem “incorrectly” can mean a jail sentence of a few years and a fine of more than 100,000 pesos (US $2,000)!
The Philippine House of Representatives has approved a bill imposing these penalties on what the government calls misuse of the Philippines flag and “wrong” renditions of the national anthem.
This new bill is very precise: the anthem should be sung to a marching tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 beats per minute. It also demands that when it is played at public gatherings and in cinemas, all citizens should stand to attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect.
“Our Congress has given more teeth to government’s campaign to invigorate patriotism, respect and love of country by singing our anthem properly,” the bill’s principal author, Representative Salvador Escudero, told the press.
Escudero’s motivation reflects his concern for the fact that Filipino artists and singers have been altering the anthem’s military march melody and beat, and that the flag had been made into shirts and short pants.
Lupang Hinirang is the sacred song of this country of passionate singers and roughly translated into English it means Chosen Land. Originally written as incidental music, it was wordless when it was adopted as the national anthem and subsequently played during the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898.
This new bill has understandably brought mixed reactions among the populace.
It does seem strict and questionable, as respect for anything is earned and not something that can be legislated.
Or can it?
Did American comedienne, Roseanne Barr have something to do with this?
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2010/10/19/philippine-national-anthem/
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