Singing the national anthem in the Philippines? You'd better do so enthusiastically. The country's House of Representatives recently approved a bill that would make the singing of the anthem mandatory whenever it is played in public—and also noting that said singing "must be done with fervor." The existing legislation related to the anthem does not include the word "mandatory," the BBC reports. The new legislation would also increase the punishments for breaking the rules—current fines range from $99 to $396; the new bill sets fines from $991 to $1,982. Offenders could also be sent to prison for up to a year, CNN reports.
The Senate and the country's president still need to approve the new bill, which includes a number of other regulations regarding the anthem. Among them: Repeat anthem offenders will be "named and shamed" in a national newspaper; standing and saluting are mandatory when the first note of the song is played; and the rhythm must be kept between 100 and 120 beats per minute. Anyone whose religion prohibits them from singing the anthem must still "show full respect" and stand at attention while it is played. (More national anthem stories.)