Last 2010, GMA Network releases its first cinematic version of the Philippine National Anthem depicting the milestones of our country’s rich history and even won the Bronze World Medal at the 2011 New York Festivals World’s Best TV Programs and Film Awards in the Music Video category and the Bronze Anvil from the 2011 Anvil Awards by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) in the Public Relations Tool category.
This year, in time for the “Araw ng Kagitingan” celebration on April 9, GMA Network will be releasing a new version that pays tribute to the heroism of the modern Filipino, here and abroad – affirming those who respond to the needs of our time and live their lives in the service of others.
The 2013 version pays tribute to the heroes of today by drawing inspiration from the heroes of yesteryears. It opens with an artist sketching a portrait of Lapu Lapu, which seamlessly transforms into a colorful animation of the events that shaped Philippine history from the Battle of Mactan, which saw the defeat of the Spanish conquistadors in the hands of the natives, to the Cry of Pugad Lawin and the martyrdom of our national hero, Jose Rizal.
The main music of the national anthem begins as the heroes of the past are juxtaposed with modern heroes like the one portrayed by a fire fighter who braves the raging flames of a burning building in order to save an infant, a teacher who walks several miles to school daily to educate her pupils, a farmer who dutifully toils the land under the scorching heat of the sun to fend for his family, a traffic enforcer who continues to do his job despite being soaked in heavy rains, a doctor who compassionately attends to the medical needs of those in the barrios, overseas workers who endure being away from their loved ones in the hope of giving them a better future, an athlete who brings pride to his country, and several others. These depictions paint a very striking picture before the audience: that we are modern heroes in our own right and that’s something we should all be proud of.
According to director Paul Hendrick Ticzon, “What we have here is actually parang second generation of what we started by insuring briefly our nation’s history. Kumbaga we tried to show kung ano ang pinagdaanan natin and where we are today. Here in this 2013 version of National Anthem, we honor who we are now today and who are the everyday heroes.”
When asked about why they choose to not include GMA artists like what they did in their first version, director Paul Ticzon explained, “We decided against using GMA talents to portray ordinary people kasi medyo mahihirapan tayo to distinguish, for example isang magsasaka is portrayed by an artist. Mahirap maka-relate immediately ang audience if that guy is portrayed by an artist.”
Co-director Vince Gealogo added, “Very challenging, very scary nung simula kasi lagi namin binabalikan ung original na Lupang Hinirang. Naging masalimuot ang proseso, napakahaba nang pag-desisyon and also cinematic considerations. We just hope na Filipinos here and abroad apreciate what we did and very important maka-relate sila kasi kung hindi sila makaka-relate it defeated the purpose, the message. So we are hoping once its launched maraming mga reactions sa ating mga kababayan.”
The 2013 ‘Lupang Hinirang’ project was made possible through a partnership between GMA Network and SM Cinemas. The theatrical version of the music video will be shown at the beginning of the first and last screenings in all SM Cinemas nationwide.
“SM Cinemas is proud to partner once again with GMA in this very noble project. This music video recognizes the ‘ordinary’ Filipinos performing daily heroic acts worthy of emulation by our younger generations. As we screen this in SM Cinemas nationwide, we hope to spread this message and help inspire the continuation of real life heroism among Filipinos,” said Mr. Edgar C. Tejerero, Senior Vice President of West Avenue Theaters Corp.
The team behind the project is composed of Edward Achacoso (Director of Photography), Paul Hendrick Ticzon (Director), Vince Gealogo (Co-Director), John Paul Arrojado (Assistant DOP), Allyn de Ocampo (Main Cam/Arri Operator) and Neil Nanquil (Assistant Director/Edit Supervisor); Program Managers Jann Nagasangan, Rowena de Jesus and Dianagell Flores; and Shoot Producers Ingrid Navarro and Hazel Joy Raymundo.
The campaign was spearheaded by GMA’s Program Support Department headed by Regie Bautista (VP) with Dong Tan (Associate Creative Director), Alex Almario (Junior Associate Creative Director), Dennis Tiu (Art Director), Hasmin Marable (Senior Project Manager), and Minette Lopez (Senior Project Manager).
Watch the official launch of GMA Network’s latest cinematic version of the Philippine National Anthem on April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan) on 24 Oras. The music video will become part of the network’s sign on and sign off messages, and will be shown in all SM cinemas nationwide soon.