Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa'Yo

(In English, that would be “to die for you”)

If you’re a Filipino or have lived in these jeweled isles for quite some time now, you’d know that that is the last line of the national anthem. Yes, it’s part of that bit where your throat feels so exasperated from having to sustain all those high parts. Yes, that’s the part of the song where your lualhati starts to sound like an asthma wheeze. If not used to singing the anthem, your throat just wants to go “Make it stop! Make it stop!”


To die for you. This is what a lot of our heroes did --- die for the nation, that is. Their blood was spilt as ransom for this nation’s freedom. It was a supreme sacrifice that had them leaving whatever comfort zones they had --- whether the universities of Europe or the streets of Tondo --- to give the next generation a taste of the liberty they so felt their land deserved. They gave their lives in pursuit of freedom for the Philippines. I guess this is why that line, “Ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.” Is in our nation’s anthem, but is it really fair to ask this of every Filipino in this day and age?

What about our families and friends? I don’t think even the most understanding of loved ones would accept without difficulty that you sacrificed your life just to free your land. Sure, it sounds noble. Sure, people would admire you for it. But, my goodness, that sounds just impractical, radical, crazy even.

Many times, what’s right is what’s more difficult to do. Admit it. It is easier to beat that red light than to wait for minutes for the next green signal. It’s a lot less tedious to skip your suffrage responsibility altogether since, anyway, there is no assurance the polls aren’t rigged. It will make you a richer person not paying appropriate taxes and keeping your records to yourself. It’s oftentimes a sacrifice to fulfill your duties as a citizen of this country.

But, I think this is exactly what that line in our national anthem wants us to do, to do what we can for this country even if it’s harder, to put your love for others before yourself. To borrow from Christian ideology, we must “die a little to ourselves” everyday so others may live. Yes, it may hurt for a while, but seeing the nation gradually progress will make it all worth it. After all that, then, all that pain will be for a cause.

Yes, even your scratchy throat from the high note.