DepEd revises ‘Panatang Makabayan’

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has approved the proposed amendment to the Panatang Makabayan, which revised the word “nagdarasal” to “nananalangin.”

In an order dated Feb. 14, Duterte said the Department of Education’s Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching (OUCT) recommended the amendment following consultations with various experts and organizations.

“OUCT recommended that ‘nananalangin’ be used instead of ‘nagdarasal’ primarily because the ‘nananalangin’ is inherent and integral in Filipino identities as it is rooted in Tagalog. Likewise, it is more inclusive and appropriate as it does not refer or specify religions, and at the same time, it encompasses indigenous belief systems,” the Vice President said.

“Second, as expressed by the focal persons representing the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples and the individuals belonging to Muslim and Moro communities, ‘dalangin’ and its equivalents may be more preferred than ‘dasal’ since ‘dalangin’ is more spiritual and universal. Finally, based on the data provided by the Philippine Bible Society, native words are preferred when Bible is being translated into different Philippine languages,” she added.

According to Duterte, the Linguistic Society of the Philippines found the proposal to be well-written and sufficiently rationalized.

The Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino, meanwhile, agreed with the use of “nananalangin” as it is more inclusive, more solemn and that its use was well thought of and extensively researched.

Duterte said the Language Study Center of the Philippine Normal University had a different opinion but expressed its support for the final decision of OUCT on this matter.

“From the foregoing and consistent with the authority and directive granted to the Secretary of Education, the Secretary has determines the need to amend the existing Panatang Makabayan, in accordance with the recommendations of various experts and linguists,” read the order.

The revised Panatang Makabayan now reads: Iniibig ko and Pilipinas; aking lupang sinilangan, tahanan ng aking lahi; kinukupkop ako at tinutulungang maging malakas, masipag at marangal. Dahil mahal ko ang Pilipinpinas, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang, susundin ko ang tuntunin ng paaralan, tutuparin ko ang tungkulin ng mamamayang makabayan; naglilingkod, nag-aaral at nananalangin nang buong katapatan. Iaaalay ko ang aking buhay, pangarap, pagsisikap sa bansang Pilipinas.

“The Panatang Makabayan shall be recited during the flag-raising ceremony, during class and as part of the daily school activity program in all public and private schools and DepEd Offices,” Duterte said in her order.