LYRICIST'S OFFERING

Love for nature and country inspired Jose Palma y Velasquez to write the famous lyrics for the Philippine national anthem. The lyrics were originally written in Spanish and sung during the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. It brought out the intense longing of the people to defend the country against oppresors. It was a son's noble offering to his Motherland.

Jose, the lyricist, was the younger brother of Rafael Palma, another great man. Jose was born in 1876. He was educated at the Ateneo de Manila where he showed early his love for Spanish poetry. Many times on his way home from school, he would stop and admire the beauty of the sunset. He never ceased to be awed by the loveliness of his country and nature's bounty.

Palma worked during the Philippine-American War for Antonio Luna's newspaper, La Independencia, and wrote poetry on varying subjects. He also saw military action in Central Luzon. The hardships of war weakened Palma's health. He died in 1903 at the age of 27.

Palma's poems, scattered in may publications, were collected by his older brother, Rafael, into Melancolicas in 1912. Although the collection contained very beautiful poems, none can compare to the depth of emotion expressed in the poet's masterpiece, the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.