Why I don't sing "Pilipinas Kong Mahal"

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PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL" formerly "PHILIPPINES, MY PHILIPPINES"

Some have noticed that I don't sing the "patriotic" song "Pilipinas kong Mahal" formerly known as "Philippines, My Philippines" which was the official English version during my elementary and high school days. Well, I used to and really sang it with gusto, goose bumps and all during my younger days. And then I went to Annapolis, Maryland, having been accepted to the United States Naval Academy. One day, after being there for a week or so, I heard a band playing in the background the familiar strains of "Philippines, My Philippines." I was so thrilled hearing that in a foreign land, halfway around the globe from home. I thought there was a visiting Philippine dignitary receiving honors. Later I was so shocked to find out that it was "Maryland, My Maryland" the State Anthem of Maryland, where the Naval Academy is located. I was so disappointed to learn that what I long thought was an original Filipino patriotic song was an adaptation, from our American colonial past, of an American song and music. So that's the reason why I don't sing that song, because of the borrowed music, notwithstanding the beauty of the lyrics of "Philippines, My Philippines" and now "Pilipinas Kong Mahal."

Below is an excerpt from an old book Innocents Abroad: American Teachers in the American Century" which state

"Fittingly, though, the real national anthem was written by an American teacher. Calling it "Philippines, My Philippines," he adapted the anthem from "Maryland, My Maryland" -- his own state song."