In a Facebook Live video with some of her followers, Maria Sofia Love played the National Anthem, stood upright, and then instead of putting her right hand on her left chest as all Filipinos do when "Lupang Hinirang" is played, put her left hand on her crotch. She was wearing a hot red one-piece.
She also couldn't help but groove to the marching beat of the anthem.
According to a report on "Unang Hirit", the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has gotten in touch with the embassy of the Philippines in Los Angeles, California, where Maria Sofia Love is said to reside at the moment.
There is a law prohibiting such acts. Republic Act 8491 states that the flag, anthem, and other national symbols be accorded with respect and reverence at all times. "Ito'y dapat kantahin lamang tuwing may seremonya, aktibidades saan mang lugar," begins Teodoro Atienza, chief of Heraldry section of the National Historical Commission.
Anybody who goes against RA 8491 is either fined P5,000-P20,000 and/or gets a punishment of one year imprisonment.
The video, which many netizens have been able to download, is now circulating online.
GMA News has gotten in touch with Maria Sofia Love. — LA, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
