Jose Palma was born on March 6, 1876, in Tondo, Manila. He was a poet and a revolutionary. He wrote the lyrics of "Lupang Hinirang" in 1898 during the Philippine Revolution against Spain. The poem was originally written in Spanish and was titled "Himno Nacional Filipino."
Julian Felipe was born on February 28, 1861, in Cavite Viejo, Cavite. He was a musician and a composer. He composed the music of "Lupang Hinirang" in 1899. The music was inspired by the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise."
"Lupang Hinirang" was first publicly performed on June 12, 1898, at the Kawit Presidencia in Cavite. It was adopted as the official national anthem of the Philippines on September 5, 1938.