#4 Rediscover Your Roots

As a naturalized US Citizen, my allegiance is pledged only to America. But hearing the Philippine National Anthem here does bring me to a unique place because of my roots. In the video below, I was struck by the rendition of Lupang Hinirang, which was composed and to be performed as a gallant march. I was also struck by the boys' discovery of the flag found in the dirt. In what ways do you need to rediscover the beauty and pride of your roots. This is not about allegiance but rather about discovering new ways to love where you came from. For me this means reflecting the good and honorable things about this country, its people, and its spirit. Its looking both at why I feel proud to be Filipino and why I am not. Its about reflecting about my identity as a Filipino-American and the unique opportunities and repsonsibilities this identity offers. Its about looking at myself.
Lupang Hinirang (Philippine National Anthem)
English Lyrics

Land of the morning,
Child of the sun returning,
With fervor burning,
Thee do our souls adore.
Land dear and holy,
Cradle of noble heroes,
Ne'er shall invaders
Trample thy sacred shore.
Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds
And o'er thy hills and sea,
Do we behold the radiance, feel and throb,
Of glorious liberty.
Thy banner, dear to all our hearts,
Its sun and stars alight,
O never shall its shining field
Be dimmed by tyrant's might!
Beautiful land of love,
O land of light,
In thine embrace 'tis rapture to lie,
But it is glory ever, when thou art wronged,
For us, thy sons to suffer and die.