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MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

[ ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 122, May 10, 2000 ]

AUTHORIZING THE TEACHING IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS OF THE SONG, “MAGTANIM AY DI BIRO” WITH THE NEW LYRICS

WHEREAS, the song, “Magtanim ay di Biro”, has long been part of the country’s pastoral tradition, a tune familiar to Filipinos of all ages;

WHEREAS, this song has permeated the national psyche with its message of constant toil in the face of adversity, of poverty and nearly unbreakable cycle of rural impoverishment and other negative connotations that must be overcome by dint of hard labor in the farm;

WHEREAS, the lyrics of this song should be transformed to de-emphasize these negative traits and discouraging conditions of Philippine rural life and make such lyrics harmonize with the new work ethic and positive character of the Filipino people.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order and direct:

Section 1. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall include in its program the teaching in all primary and secondary schools of the song “Magtanim ay di Biro” using the new lyrics and allow the same to be sung, in lieu of the old one, in convocations and other literary-musical activities of the school;

Section 2. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand.

(Sgd.) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary

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