Did you know: 140th birth anniv of Jose Palma

Today, June 3, is the 140th birth anniversary of Jose Palma, the lyricist of the Philippine national anthem.

Born in Tondo, Manila, Palma wrote a poem titled “Filipinas” which was published in the September 1899 issue of La Independencia.

It fitted the music of the Marcha Nacional Filipina. Thus, the country’s national anthem was born. Palma died on Feb. 12, 1903. Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research