A former student sent me an mp3 file of a rendition of UP Naming Mahal, the university hymn of the University of the Philippines (UP), by progressive artists Noel Cabangon (formerly of Buklod), Cooky Chua (former lead singer of Color It Red), Chikoy Pura (lead singer of The Jerks), Gary Granada and Bayang Barrios (formerly of Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad). The new version, apparently unofficial, has new lyrics, making the hymn even more socially relevant.

For those who don’t know the history of the UP hymn, the melody was composed by Nicanor Abelardo based on a poem in English by Teogenes Veles titled “U.P. Beloved.” The latter was translated into Filipino by Hilario Rubio and Tomas Aguirre.

You can download the mp3 file of the new version of UP Naming Mahal from Mukamo Philippines. If you want to hear the choral version of the original and official UP Naming Mahal performed by the UP Concert Chorus, you may also download the mp3 file from Nhick Ramiro Pacis’ website.

In any case, please find below the lyrics of UP Beloved and the original and new version of UP Naming Mahal.

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.

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. Naming Mahal
New Version

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