Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Pilipinas Kong Mahal is one of the most popular patriotic songs in the Philippines. The song was composed by Filipino musician, Francisco Santiago and lyrics by Ildefonso Santos.
The English lyrics, Philippines, My Philippines, was written by Prescott Ford Jernegan. The tune was adapted from the former U.S. state anthem, Maryland, My Maryland, itself a set to the German Christmas carol, O Tannenbaum. Santiago revised the melody, and Santos translated the Jernegan text into Filipino.
In the Philippines, patriotic songs are often sung by people at political rallies, protests and demonstrations. These are sung in patriotic dramas, choral performances, or dances, especially in schools during Araw ng Kalayaan celebrations in June, and Buwan ng Wika in August.
This patriotic song is usually sung during flag retreat ceremonies on Friday afternoons, and events held days other than a Monday.
Lyrics
;Official Filipino lyrics;Official English lyrics