Ilocos Sur Hymn, Will It Help?

One news* (Its URL cannot be linked.) article from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) says “that the mandatory singing of the Ilocos Sur hymn is one way of promoting the cultures and traditions of the province” according to Vice Gov. DV Savellano.

Intuitive minds should ask how could simply singing the provincial hymn promotes cultures and traditions of the province?

Every day since 1898 when we got our independence from Spain, Lupang Hinirang is a staple in public schools and government institutions. Since then, is it accurate to say that Filipino ethnic cultures and traditions have been promoted? If so, going to other parts of the country would no longer stop our inquisitive minds asking why what we feel and see in Leyte is different from Ilocos Sur. Do the people of Tawi-Tawi know that when Ilocanos talk, as if they are fighting because of their intonation or tone when they are simply bantering?

As an optimist, I hope that by singing the Ilocos Sur hymn everyday, the province and its people realize and carry on their glorious past when it was still under Spain. At that time, we were pious, hard-working and dedicated to our families. Except for piety that now appears to be lukewarm, we are still the way we used to be in the present environment of modernity. In those years, we suffered the brutality of a foreign power but  we were united and valiant fighting an unwanted regime that plundered our wealth. Many of our ancestors died in plotting to fight a well-oiled army but they showed us courage, determination and will to be free. In those years, life was simple but they practiced "tagnawa, padigo, bayanihan " systems and a lot more from history books which are now things of the golden past.

I am reluctant to cite the Ilocos Sur today and the recent past because I respectfully disagree with a lot of things. These days some play the role of the three classical monkeys who see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. That is the sad plight of politics challenging us to mature politically or suffer the consequences of our follies and apathy.

It is a good idea if the honorable Mr. Savellano spells out the meaning of his quote. -30

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Suggested additional reading material from this blog:
http://sapientiaaedificat.blogspot.com/2010/09/ilocos-sur-hymn-now-requirement.html

 See www.pia.gov.ph and search for the press release of Mr. Freddie G. Lazaro dated 2010/09/22.