La Union Hymn

La Union Hymn
	Provincial anthem of La Union
Lyrics	Primitivo L. Acosta Jr., 1999
Music	Primitivo L. Acosta Jr., 1999
Adopted	1999

The "La Union Hymn^[1]" is the official anthem of the province of La Union in the Philippines.

History

The La Union Hymn was written and composed by Primitivo L. Acosta Jr.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union officially adopted the song in 1999 with the passage of Ordinance No. 007-99. Four years later, it enacted revised lyrics with the passage of Ordinance No. 009–2003 on November 27, 2003.^[2]

Lyrics

Although currently the La Union Hymn only has official lyrics in English, on September 26, 2012 the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union passed Ordinance No. 026-2012, making Ilocano an official language of the province. The ordinance includes provisions for singing the song in Ilocano – should lyrics in the language be adopted – no less than twice a year.^[3] With the ordinance passed, the possibilities of translating the La Union Hymn in the province's other official languages, Pangasinense and Kankanaey, would have been sprouted.

La Union Hymn^[2]
penned by Primitivo L. Acosta Jr.

Where is the place where one could find refuge,
through wooded hills and verdant rolling fields?
Where is that place with bubbling brooks and rivers?
Where is that place?
Oh where is that place?

Where can one find birds singing all the day?
Where do the waves roll on so silvery?
Where does the sunset spread its golden beauty?
Where is that place?
La Union my beloved!

Refrain:
God bless the people
of fair La Union!
Keep us from harm
And fill our hearts with love

Let no one seek
to break the cord that binds us!
𝄆 God bless La Union
Our own home! 𝄇

In 2016, Francisco Emmanuel Ortega, at the time representing the Abono Partylist in the House of Representatives, explained that the song's lyrics should serve as a reminder of the province's commitment to unity and progress, and that it should continue aspiring to these ideals as it strives towards greatness.^[4]

References

^ La Union Hymn 2020, retrieved 2021-09-26
^ a b "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 2 AND 4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 007-99 ADOPTING THE LA UNION HYMN COMPOSED BY MR PRIMITIVO L. ACOSTA, JR. AS THE OFFICIAL HYMN OF THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION.". Ordinance No. 009-2003 of November 27, 2003 (PDF). Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union.
^ "ESTABLISHING ILOKO AS AN OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL LANGUAGE OF LA UNION AND INSTITUTIONALIZING ITS USE IN RELEVANT SECTORS, ALONGSIDE EXISTING NATIONAL AND OFFICIAL LANGUAGES". Ordinance No. 026-2012 of September 13, 2012 (PDF). Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union.
^ Casimiro, Mario Eliseo O. (February 22, 2016). "As Anniversary Trade Fair Opens.."PACOY" expounds unity lyrics of LU hymn". The Ilocos Times (Press release). Provincial Government of La Union. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2021.

External links

The La Union Hymn on YouTube, produced by the Provincial Government of La Union

[1] La Union Hymn 2020, retrieved 2021-09-26

[amended-2] "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 2 AND 4 OF ORDINANCE NO. 007-99 ADOPTING THE LA UNION HYMN COMPOSED BY MR PRIMITIVO L. ACOSTA, JR. AS THE OFFICIAL HYMN OF THE PROVINCE OF LA UNION.". Ordinance No. 009-2003 of November 27, 2003 (PDF). Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union.

[ilocano-3] "ESTABLISHING ILOKO AS AN OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL LANGUAGE OF LA UNION AND INSTITUTIONALIZING ITS USE IN RELEVANT SECTORS, ALONGSIDE EXISTING NATIONAL AND OFFICIAL LANGUAGES". Ordinance No. 026-2012 of September 13, 2012 (PDF). Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union.

[meaning-4] Casimiro, Mario Eliseo O. (February 22, 2016). "As Anniversary Trade Fair Opens.."PACOY" expounds unity lyrics of LU hymn". The Ilocos Times (Press release). Provincial Government of La Union. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2021.