The Philippine national anthem’s title has often been mistaken as, “Bayang Magiliw.” It is the first few words in the lyrics composed by Julian Felipe in 1898.

But more than being a cheerful nation, the Philippines is a chosen land, hence, the title, “Lupang Hinirang.”

I remember singing Lupang Hinirang in my elementary years under the heat of the sun every morning in school. Back then, I felt that the national anthem had lost its meaning, as we sang it everyday. Of course, that was before. Today, you will hear the national anthem played in movie theaters before it opens and closes. So it was refreshing to hear a new version of the national anthem complete with new visuals.

For several minutes, I was enthralled, as I saw, for the first time, the recent movie screening of Mae Paner’s Lupang Hinirang at the Rockwell Powerplant Mall.

Here’s the same video uploaded on YouTube:

Advertising executive and director Paner’s interpretation of the Lupang Hinirang hopes to restore the Filipinos’ national pride.

It begins with a young boy walking. With ragged slippers, he paces until he finds a little Philippine flag covered in dust on the ground. He picks it up and shakes off the dust. The boy continues walking, sees an empty flag pole. He moves towards it. Without hesitation, he removes his slippers, places the flag in his pocket and begins climbing it. The boy struggles to climb until he reaches the top. He then takes the flag from his pocket and waves it with a smile and pride. Meanwhile, a slower cadence of Lupang Hinirang played.

I must admit I had goosebumps as I witnessed Paner’s interpretation of Lupang Hinirang.

Watching the public screening of Paner’s Lupang Hinirang are Roadrunner’s Ric Hawthorne and NBN-ZTE controversy star witness Jun Lozada.

Later in an interview, Hawthorne admits Paner’s music video portrays and instills national pride, which should start in every Filipino at a young age.

Lozada was touched by the music video.

“It appeared to me that it was so symbolic [especially with] the flag lying on the ground. Parang ganyan ang nangyayari sa bansa natin ngayon [It is similar to what’s happening in our country now] that national pride and national dignity is being stepped upon by so many of these corrupt officials. Somebody has to pick it up,” Lozada adds.