Singing the Wrong Tune: Why Patriotism Can’t Be Forced

Pause listening to Espresso, because the Philippine government has just dropped the new summer hit, but with a twist—this one is mandatory. Recently, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos issued order Memorandum Circular 52, also known as M.C. 52, requiring the singing of the new “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn during flag ceremonies, not to be confused with the other Bagong Pilipinas song by DJ Morales that came out two years ago.

However, the need to commission a new hymn amidst other more pressing issues must be clarified. The Lupang Hinirang and, for some institutions, Panatang Makabayan, are already sung and recited at every flag ceremony making the hymn rather redundant and appearing solely to promote the current administration’s political messaging of change and prosperity. As such, the government issuing the “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn only exemplifies the illusion of a unified Philippines, diverting public attention away from government failures into embracing superficial displays of patriotism reminiscent of Martial Law-era propaganda.

To those alive during Martial Law, the hymn draws parallels with the “Bagong Lipunan” anthem, frequently played on the radio, at public events, and even in schools. It was a constant reminder of Marcos Sr.’s glory and achievements, delivering the Philippines into, supposedly, a “golden era.” Propaganda like these projected an image of a benevolent leader with effective leadership. 

Yet, behind the clouds of lies, the reality offered stark contradictions. As we know from Philippine history, Martial Law was characterized by human rights violations and poor economic management. Due to the widespread corruption during this period, the Philippines still faces several long-term issues, such as our huge debt load and decades' worth of lost economic development.

Fast forward to the present, the playbook remains the same. President Marcos Jr. utilized similar tactics to shape public opinion during his presidential campaign with Vice President Sara Duterte. Means of misinformation and historical revisionism were spread all over social media. The atrocities committed during Martial Law were downplayed while the achievements of his father were heavily emphasized, rehabilitating the Marcos name on a campaign built on lies. The new “Bagong Pilipinas” hymn appears to be an extension of this approach, embedding the facade of a New Philippines in the daily routines of Filipinos to distract us from the problems surrounding our lives.

Requiring struggling Filipinos to sing a new hymn that proclaims a brighter future ahead seems disingenuous. The song’s optimistic message does not resonate with the reality of many suffering from poverty, inadequate healthcare, and poor access to proper education. This kind of enforced patriotism is hollow when these systemic issues are turned a blind eye to. 

The government must recognize that singing mandatory anthems does not achieve national unity. Despite singing a hymn weekly at work or school, hardly anyone will have a sense of patriotism through force. Patriotism is felt when pride in one’s identity and culture creates a strong devotion to your country. This pride starts from seeing tangible improvements in your daily life and having confidence in your leaders' integrity, giving citizens something to be proud of. 

When Filipinos see the government tackling corruption, improving public services, and caring for the public’s welfare, they naturally feel a sense of loyalty towards their country. This authentic patriotism cannot be created through obligatory rituals but must be earned through consistent and meaningful actions by the country’s leaders that uplift the nation. 

Thus, instead of meaningless hymns, the government should prioritize actions that have an impact on the lives of Filipinos. After all, how can the government expect people to sing about change when they have yet to address our flawed political system?

Similarly, there’s also a responsibility placed on Filipino citizens to ensure they do not fall victim to misinformation circulating the internet. Staying informed about political developments and actively participating in political discourse are essential to distinguish the truth from lies. Only then can Filipinos start living in a Bagong Pilipinas.