Who was the Cagayanon who wrote UP Beloved? Atty. Teogenes Velez Sr.

Who was the Kagayanon who Wrote UP Beloved?

U.P. Naming Mahal is the university hymn of the University of the Philippines. The original English lyrics (entitled as “U.P. Beloved”) was taken from a poem by Teogenes Velez, a Liberal Arts student in 1917 from Cagayan de Misamis. He became a member of the Bar in 1921 and became a representative of Misamis Oriental.

The melody for the song was written by Nicanor Abelardo, an alumnus and former faculty member of the U.P. College of Music. Abelardo is considered to be one of the Philippines’ greatest musicians. Because of the original scale of the hymn in B flat major, which is too high for the usual voice, UP Conservatory of Music (now UP College of Music) professors Hilarion Rubio and Tomas Aguirre reset the music in G major.

Photo from: Tatak UP www.upd.edu.ph

UP BELOVED

Words by Teogenes Velez
Music by Nicanor Abelardo

U.P. beloved, thou Alma Mater dear
For thee united, our joyful voices hear
Far tho we wander, o’er island yonder
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be
Loyal thy sons we’ll ever be.
Echo the watchword, the Red and Green forever.
Give out the password, to the Hall of Brave sons rare.
Sing forth the message, ring out with courage
All hail, thou hope of our dear land,
All hail, thou hope of our dear land.

UP NAMING MAHAL

U.P. naming mahal, pamantasang hirang
Ang tinig namin, sana’y inyong dinggin
Malayong lupain, amin mang marating
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin
Di rin magbabago ang damdamin.
Luntian at pula, Sagisag magpakailanman
Ating pagdiwang, bulwagan ng dangal
Humayo’t itanghal, giting at tapang
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan
Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

Watch the video below to listen to the hymn: