U.P. Naming Mahal

      "U.P. Naming Mahal"
      ("U.P. Beloved")
      Anthem of the University of the Philippines
      Written by Teogenes Velez
      Music by Nicanor Abelardo
      Published 1917
      Written 1917
      Language Original in English, now in Filipino
      Performed by U.P. Concert Chorus

      U.P. Naming Mahal is the university hymn of the University of the Philippines. The melody for the song was written by Nicanor Abelardo, an alumnus and former faculty member of the U.P. College of Music. Abelardo is considered to be one of the Philippines' greatest musicians. Because of the original scale of the hymn in B flat major, which is too high for the usual voice, U.P. Conservatory of Music (now U.P. College of Music) professors Hilarion Rubio and Tomas Aguirre reset the music in G major.

      The original English lyrics (entitled as "U.P. Beloved") was taken from a poem by Teogenes Velez, a Liberal Arts student. The translation to Filipino was a composite from seven entries in a contest held by the University. The judges did not find any of the seven translations as fully satisfactory.[1]

      U.P. Naming Mahal is usually sung during university activities, rallies and athletic competitions, notably the UAAP, by the students, staff, alumni and officials. It is usually sung with a raised left fist, although raising the right is also common; university tradition states that raising the left fist shows one's defiance against the government (usually against the Philippine and/or U.P. government), while raising the right fist shows support.

      Lyrics

      Official Filipino Lyrics

      I.
      U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang
      Ang tinig namin, sana'y iyong dinggin
      Malayong lupain, amin mang marating
      Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
      Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.
      II.
      Luntian at pula, sagisag magpakailanman
      Ating ipagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal
      Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang
      Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!
      Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan!

      Original English Lyrics

      I.
      U.P. beloved, thou Alma Mater dear
      For thee united, our joyful voices hear
      Far tho we wander, o'er island yonder
      Loyal thy sons we'll ever be
      Loyal thy sons we'll ever be.
      II.
      Echo the watchword, the Red and Green forever.
      Give out the password, to the Hall of Brave sons rare.
      Sing forth the message, ring out with courage
      All hail, thou hope of our dear land,
      All hail, thou hope of our dear land.
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      Modified Lyrics

      In 1997, a musical play entitled "Lean" was held to commemorate the 10th year since the assassination of a prominent U.P. student leader in 1987, Leandro Alejandro. In this play, Gary Granada, the one who made the libretto of this play, remixed the tune of U.P. Naming Mahal in a contemporary rock version and gave it a new and more "nationalistic sounding" lyrics, reasserting the purpose of the Iskolar ng Bayan as a servant of the people.

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      Centennial Version

      A new set of lyrics was set on 2007, in time for the U.P. Centennial Celebrations. This set is of a more activist and nationalist sentiment. The recorded version is sung by notable artists from U.P., including Gary Granada and Cooky Chua. The Lyrics are adapted from the "Lean" Musical, though given a much more mellow and dramatic tune.

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      References

      1. ^ A Bit of History: How UP Naming Mahal Came to Be | UP Centennial Website
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      Last modified on 10 May 2013, at 16:36