Because the entire Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina: Graduate School required us to attend a certain "Continuing Studies” seminar, my classmates in MBA and I attended it last Saturday (February 22, 2013) where one of our beloved professors, Dr. Erico M. Habijan (REGION 4A DepEd Chairman) stood as the main speaker.

Before he started his piece, he mentioned something that really surprised me. I grew up in an environment where programs always started with a prayer. "God above country,” they said. But Dr. Habijan mentioned that the Constitution requires the national anthem before the prayer. Of course, being the curious person that I am, I decided to check on it. One thing caught my attention though while reading the Republic Act No. 8491: "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines."

SECTION 7. The flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open on flag-staffs in front of said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan); May 1 (Labor Day); May 28 (National Flag Day) to June 12 (Independence Day); last Sunday of August (National Heroes Day); November 30 (Bonifacio Day); and December 30 (Rizal Day); and on such other days as may be declared by the President and/or local chief executives. 

SECTION 26. The period from May 28 to June 12 of each year is declared as Flag Days, during which period all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institutions of learning and private homes are enjoined to display the flag. 

Hmmm. I didn’t know that the display of the Philippine flag should also be done in private homes and residences during these days. Nobody in school told me about this until last Saturday... And that is saying something since I’ve been in school for more than 15 years. Granted that it may be my fault for not reading the constitution, but it makes me wonder how many citizens of the Philippines actually know and practice this section.

Now, back to the main question, what comes first? I’ve read a very interesting blog entry here: http://riknakem.net/2009/02/01/537/ and I quote:

"And our constitutions, while giving recognition to the free exercise of religion as a basic right, since 1935 have also given equal recognition to the right of the individual not to invoke God: from the President of the Philippines on down, officials have the option of making an affirmation, instead of a solemn oath before God, when assuming office. The principle here is that all Filipino citizens owe allegiance to the state, created by the people in their sovereign capacity; it is the constitution that acts as the guarantor of the right of every individual to belong, or not belong, to a religion. However as citizens you have definite, unavoidable, and indisputable rights and obligations not only to the state, but to each other. That is why the anthem must come first; it is what demonstrates our community and our nationhood, the very things that permit an invocation to even be held afterwards.”

Well, I suppose it makes sense. If it is a public gathering, national anthem was said to precede the prayer. This way, it shows that the Philippines, as a country, respects each of its citizen’s faith and religion. It gives them the right to pray or not to pray or how to pray based on their beliefs.

However, I personally believe that God should always be first in everything. I have no qualms about singing the national anthem before praying IF the congregation includes people of different faith and culture. But if it is a place where we believe in ONE GOD, there shouldn’t be any questions as to what comes first at all.