The Geek Brewery

Yesterday, me and my sister swapped laptops. While browsing her music library, I saw this interesting song, UP Naming Mahal. I listened to it and I could describe my amazement indescribable.

It was a new rendition (version) of the U.P. Naming Mahal performed by Noel Cabangon, Cooky Chua, Chikoy Pura, Gary Granada and Bayang Barrios.

Below are the lyrics of the new and unoffical version, the official Tagalog version and the original:

U.P. Naming Mahal
(new and unofficial)

U.P. naming mahal
Pamantasan ng bayan
Tinig ng masa
Ang siyang lagi nang pakikinggan

Malayong lupain
Di kailangang marating
Dito maglilingkod sa bayan natin
Dito maglilingkod sa bayan natin

Silangang mapula
Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating ipaglaban
Laya ng diwa’t kaisipan

Humayo’t itanghal
Giting, tapang at dangal
Mabuhay ang lingkod ng taong bayan
Mabuhay ang lingkod ng taong bayan

Silangang mapula
Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating ipaglaban
Laya ng diwa’t kaisipan

Malayong lupain
Di kailangang marating
Dito maglilingkod sa bayan natin
Dito maglilingkod sa bayan natin

U.P. Naming Mahal
Hilario Rubion and Tomas Aguirre

U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang
Ang tinig namin, sana’y iyong dinggin
Malayong lupain, amin mang marating
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.

Luntian at pula, sagisag magpakailanman
Ating ipagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal
Humayo’t itanghal, giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

U.P. Beloved
Teogenes Veles

U.P. beloved, thou Alma Mater dear
For thee united, our joyful voices hear
Far tho we wander, o’er island yonder
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be.

Echo the watchword, the Red and Green forever.
Give out the password, to the Hall of Brave sons rare.
Sing forth the message, ring out with courage
All hail, thou hope of our dear land,
All hail, thou hope of our dear land.

I like the new version for several reasons.

• Pamantasang hirang (hirang: choice, selection, the chosen one – the chosen University) was changed to Pamantasa ng bayan (University of the nation).
• Ang tinig namin sana’y iyong dinggin (asking to hear our voices) vs Ang tinig ng masa / Ang siyang lagi nang pakikinggan (The voice of the masses will always be heard)
• This one is my favorite stanza on the new rendition. Malalayong lupain / di kailangan marating / dito maglilingkod sa bayan natin – against the old one – Malalayong lupain / amin mang marating.
• and many more.

What I’ve noticed on the new rendition is that it was written in a way that it’s more relevant to the current generation.

Have your say, leave a comment.