IMNO NG PUP (PUP Hymn) 2021 — PUP College of Law version

The year 2021 marks the 117th founding anniversary of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a theme "Pagbubuklod-buklod Tungo sa Pagsulong ng Sintang Paaralan sa Gitna ng Pandemya." (Unity towards the onward of the beloved University in the midst of pandemic.")

Also this year marks the 20th founding anniversary of the PUP College of Law.

This music video shows the history, achievements and legacy of the College of Law in the community through the envision of the university's hymn: "gagamitin ang karunungan, mula sa iyo para sa bayan." (lit. "we will use the wisdom learned from our university, for the whole nation.")

Mabuhay ang Sintang Paaralan!
Mabuhay ang Kolehiyo ng Batas!

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About the University Hymn

There was the Philippine College of Commerce (PCC) hymn existing until when President Marcos signed the Presidential Decree 1341 s. 1978 which gives the charter of the college and thereafter renamed as Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). However, the hymn was just changed the lyrics from "PCC" to "PUP".

The lyrics of an old version of PCC Hymn are as follows:

"PUP (PCC) , ang iyong diwang makabansa
Aming taglayin sa isip at gawa
Aming gagapanan, Ginto mong adhika
Baya'y paunlarin ganap na may laya

Itatanim sa puso at diwa
Simulain mo't panlipunang nasa
Mutyang paaralan tanglaw ka ng bansa
Oh PUP (PCC), paaralang dakila"

The concept of having a new hymn was started when University President Nemesio E. Prudente assumed his office in 1986. He said that "there is no more PCC." Hence, he wanted to have a new hymn that inspired from the restoration of democracy. In addition, according to Mrs. Susan Roldan, the old PCC-PUP hymn was a product of revolutionary leanings to inspire the youth to stand up against one man rule (De Mesa, 2021).

Journalist and former PUP President Isabelo Crisostomo said in his The Sunday Times Magazine article “The Philippine College of Commerce: A New Center of Activism” (2 November 1969) that Prudente’s decolonization efforts at PUP attract “some of the nation’s most aggressive nationalists and ideologues.” It makes sense because historian Prof. Amalia Rosales told that the hymn was adapted by the university during Prudente’s incumbency (Alfonso, 2017).

The present hymn was composed in 1986 by a powerhouse musicians of PUP: Mr. Rafael "Raffy" Amoranto, then head of the PUP Himig Serenata, Prof. Siegfredo Calabig, the founder of PUP Banda Kawayan and the known pianist Mrs. Susan Roldan, the head of PUP Laboratory High School Chorale. Mr. Amoranto composed the music, while Mr. Calabig wrote the lyrics, and Mrs. Roldan made the band arrangement. In his interview, Mr. Calabig said that he submitted 5 versions of the proposed hymn (De Mesa, 2020). Upon presentation and singing by the Himig Serenata, Dr. Prudente approved the song to become the new University hymn.

According to Prof. Calabig, the lyrics tells about the students of the university. He noticed that most of the students are from the common people of the society that despite lack of financial privilege, they are excellent in any fields of academics. Hence he inspired and at the same time he give a message to the youth to go forward and use their skills and intelligence to develop our nation.

Prof. Rosales also noted that Prof. Calabig incorporated some of the lyrics from the "PCC hymn".

Since then, the hymn became the song of PUPian students in important events inside the campus, including protests and graduation ceremonies.

Sources:
[1] Alfonso, Ian Christopher (2017, November 6). 13 Beautiful Philippine University Hymns. Yani's World. https://alfonsoian.wordpress.com/2017...

[2] De Mesa, Boyet (2021, October 1).Happy Anib Sinta!! [Facebook]. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...

[3] PUP CreaTV. (2013, May 15). PUP TV: Pinaka Usap-usapan sa Pamantasan (Episode 002) [video].    • PUP TV: Pinaka Usap-usapan sa Pamanta...  

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We give credit to the respective owners of the videos and images:

PUP Communication Management Office
Atty. Alvin T. Claridades
The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Infinitri Creatives

Music: PUP Bagong Himig Serenata
Arrangement: Mr. Mark Gregory Isip