Proclamation No. 1239




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ Proclamation No. 1239, June 4, 1998 ] DECLARING JUNE 5, 1998 AND EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER AS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY WHEREAS, historical records reveal that on June 5, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo, first president of the Philippine Republic, commissioned Julian Felipe, a musician and a revolutionary patriot, to compose a march “that is something more stirring and majestic, which can inspire our men to fight the enemy - something which embodies the noble ideals of our race”; WHEREAS, Felipes composition was approved by General Aguinaldo, together with the leaders of the revolutionary government and adopted it as the Marcha Nacional Filipina.1aшphi1 The anthem was played for the first time during the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898; WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines provides that the “rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe”; WHEREAS, Sections 34 and 35 of Republic Act No. 8491 provide that the National Anthem shall be entitled Lupang Hinirang, and shall be sung in the national language within or without the country, as adopted by Department Order No. 5, series of 1956, by the Department of Education. WHEREAS, the celebration of the Philippine Centennial embodies the great and noble ideals and aspirations of the Filipino nation, and that the National Anthem, whether played or sung, embodies the Filipino national pride and honor in the continuing quest for national development and social progress; NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare June 5, 1998 and every year thereafter as the Philippine National Anthem Day. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.1aшphi1 Done in the City of Manila, this 4th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety eight. (Sgd.) FIDEL V. RAMOS By the President (Sgd.) RENATO C. CORONA Chief Presidential Legal Counsel/ Deputy Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation