Did you know that a Kagay-anon student wrote the lyrics of “UP Beloved”, the official hymn of the University of the Philippines? Teogenes Velez was a liberal arts student when his entry won a contest held in 1917 to select the poem to be put to music, that would describe the UP spirit. Velez would later become a law student and a lawyer. He also became a Representative of Misamis in the 1920s.
Here’s the original English lyrics.
UP Beloved
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
Renowned composer Nicanor Abelardo, who was also a student would later compose the music. The song, “UP Beloved,” was first sung before a UP audience in 1917. And from then on it has been a party of all UP activities. SOURCE
The hymn was then translated into Filipino in 1969.
UP naming mahal, pamantasang hirang
Ang tinig namin, sana’y inyong dinggin
Malayong lupain, amin mang marating
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.
Luntian at pula, Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating pagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal
Humayo’t itanghal, giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.
Watch below.
