Homeland in Heaven

During the celebration of Philippine Independence Day among Filipinos in Auckland, TawagAwit singers gave a premier performance of the anthem I wrote for Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust, a charitable organisation focused on building a Filipino Community Centre in New Zealand.

The lyrics of "Tahanang Pilipino" read:

Marami tayo’ng mga Pilpino/Nagpunta sa ibang bansa/At sa sipag at tiyaga/Umunlad ang ating buhay/Ngunit hanap-hanap pa rin natin/Ang lupang sinilangan/Kapamilya’t kaibigan//Chorus: Dito sa Tahanang Pilipino/Magkaisa tayo/Dito sa Tahanang Pilipino/Saya at samahan/Para nä ring umuwi sa ating iisang bayan –Ang Pilipinas

Daghan kitang mga Pilipino/Minglawig sa laing nasud/Og sa kugi og hagu/Minglambo ang kinabuhi/Apan gihandum-handum gihapon/Ang yutang natawhan/Banay og kahigalaan//Chorus: Nganhi sa Tahanang Pilipino/Magkahiusa tä/Nganhi sa Tahanang Pilipino/Lingaw og hudyaka/Mora sa’g miuli sa atong pinalangga – Ang Pilipinas

There are many of us Filipinos/Who have left our native land/Through hardwork and patience/We achieved our dream of abundance/But we keep on, keep on longing/For the land of our birth/Of family and friends//Chorus: Here in the Tahanang Pilipino/We are family/Here in the Tahanang Pilipino/What joy, what company/It’s like being back home to our beloved country – The Philippines.

Of whatever nationality, a migrant while leaving the country of origin can never take the country out of the heart. The roots of the migrant are buried deep in the ground of the homeland and by residing abroad, he/she is merely extending his/her branches where his/her shade is needed. Jesus Christ who is of Heaven extended Himself here on earth to save Mankind. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) Though Satan tempted Him of the pleasures of the world, Christ remained true to His godly state of perfection. "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11)

As a migrant’s life is founded in the land of birth, every one of us must remain with the Sower: God the Father who gave us life. "As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,"says the Lord. (Isaiah 66:22) From Him we came, to Him we ought to return. As long as we remain true to the Lord, He will welcome us back to our homeland in heaven. "But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:16)

by Mel Libre