Philippine History -- Panatang Makabayan

Filipino.biz.ph - Philippine Culture

History Search

The Filipino Spirit
Panatang Makabayan (Patriotic Oath)

The Panatang Makabayan (Patriotic Oath) is one of two national pledges of the Philippines, the other being the Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas (Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag) It is commonly recited at school flag ceremonies, after the singing of the national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, but before the Pledge of Allegience.

Recitation of the pledge is required by law at all public schools and at private schools that are meant for or of which the majority of students are Filipinos. This guideline was set in Republic Act No. 1265, one of many national symbols laws, which was approved on July 11, 1955. The act was implemented in schools through an order of what is now the Department of Education, known as Department Order No. 8, which was approved on July 21, 1955. The pledge was revised in November 2001 by former Department of Education secretary Raul Roco, using shorter lines with more conversational Filipino.

Although Department Order No. 8 states that the Panatang Makabayan may be recited in English or any vernacular language, the pledge is usually recited today in Filipino. However, there are two versions of the Panatang Makabayan in Filipino: the current version being a shorter, poetical translation and the former version being a direct translation of the English original.

Panatang Makabayan

Current version November 2001

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas, aking Lupang Sinilangan
Tahanan ng aking lahi, kinukupkop ako at tinutulungan
Upang maging malakas, masipag, at marangal.
Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinas,
Diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang.
Susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan,
Tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng mamamayang makabayan;
Naglilingkod, nag-aaral, at nagdarasal ng buong katapatan.
Iaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap at pagsisikap sa bansang Pilipinas

Original version

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi
Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang
Bilang ganti, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

English translation of current version

I love the Philippines, the land of my birth,
The home of my people, it protects me and helps me
Become strong, hardworking and honorable.
Because I love the Philippines,
I will heed the counsel of my parents,
I will obey the rules of my school,
I will perform the duties of a patriotic citizen,
Serving, studying, and praying faithfully.
I offer my life, dreams, successes
To the Philippine nation.

English Translation of the original version

I love the Philippines.
It is the land of my birth;
It is the home of my people.
It protects me and helps me to be strong, happy and useful.
In return, I will heed the counsel of my parents;
I will obey the rules of my school;
I will perform the duties of a patriotic, law-abiding citizen;
I will serve my country unselfishly and faithfully
I will be a true Filipino in thought, in word, in deed.