Philippines National Anthem — Lupang Hinirang

"Lupang Hinirang" is a passionate declaration of love and loyalty to the Philippines. It calls the country "Pearl of the Orient", a "chosen land" and "cradle of the brave", and vows that it will "never surrender" to conquerors.

The anthem sweeps from the seas and mountains to the azure sky and the flag's "stars and sun" that "shall never dim". It ends on its most famous note: that it is the people's joy, should an oppressor ever come, "to die for your sake" — a pledge of ultimate devotion to the homeland.

Julián Felipe composed the melody as an instrumental march, "Marcha Nacional Filipina", first performed at the proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite, on 12 June 1898. The following year José Palma wrote a Spanish poem, "Filipinas", which became the anthem's words. Over the twentieth century the text was rendered into Filipino, and the definitive Filipino lyrics — "Lupang Hinirang" — were codified in Republic Act No. 8491 (1998), which also requires that the anthem be sung in Filipino at a set tempo.

"Lupang Hinirang" carries the memory of the Philippines' 1898 declaration of independence and its long struggle for nationhood; it was even banned for a time under American colonial rule. Sung at flag ceremonies and public gatherings nationwide, its closing vow to die for the homeland makes it one of the most emotionally charged anthems in Asia.

"Lupang Hinirang" ("Chosen Land") is the national anthem of the Philippines, one of the most stirring of the world's national anthems. The music is by Julián Felipe (1898); the original words were a Spanish poem by José Palma, and the official Filipino lyrics are codified in Republic Act 8491.

The music dates to independence in 1898; the Filipino lyrics were made the official version in law in 1998. By statute the anthem must be sung in Filipino.