The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has urged Filipinos living abroad to observe proper decorum when the Philippine National Anthem is performed, after footage circulated online showing partygoers singing “Lupang Hinirang” in what the agency described as a “rowdy and noisy manner” at an outdoor rave in the United States.
The NHCP cited Republic Act 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which sets standards for how the national anthem and other national symbols must be treated. The law requires those present during the anthem’s performance to stand at attention, with civilians placing their right hand over their chest.
The video, which reportedly captured a gathering held in December 2025, drew public attention after it spread on social media. While the agency expressed concern over what was shown, it acknowledged it has no legal recourse in the matter — Philippine laws, it noted, cannot be applied to conduct that takes place on foreign soil.
Despite the jurisdictional limitation, the NHCP stopped short of letting the matter pass without comment, instead using the incident to remind the Filipino diaspora of their shared responsibility in preserving national dignity wherever they may be.
