Duty, Honor and Country: Shibboleths and Other Anthologies

The story behind the word is recorded in the biblical Book of Judges. The word shibboleth in ancient Hebrew dialects meant 'ear of grain' (or, some say, 'stream'). Some groups pronounced it with a sh sound, but speakers of related dialects pronounced it with an s.

In the story, two Semitic tribes, the Ephraimites and the Gileadites, have a great battle. The Gileadites defeat the Ephraimites, and set up a blockade to catch the fleeing Ephraimites. The sentries asked each person to say the word shibboleth. The Ephraimites, who had no sh sound in their language, pronounced the word with an s and were thereby unmasked as the enemy and slaughtered. (Source: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/)

Corps of Cadets

Shibboleths of the Corps

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In the Corps of Cadets, the shibboleths are the ideals by which the Corps, led by its officers, live by -- until the time they leave not just the Corps, but their life as well. In short, these are the standards of living that a cadet of the UP ROTC is expected to abide. A member of the Corps of Cadets of the University of the Philippines is expected to have these standards:

Duty well performed.

Honor untarnished.

Country aboveself.

The Shibboleths are not just just literary pieces - they are the values of officership, gentlemanliness, patriotism and leadership of the members of the UP ROTC.

Each shibboleth has its own anthology, as you may read below:

Duty

If thou hast yesterday, thy duty done

And thereby firm from footing for the day

Whatever clouds may darken thy tomorrow's sun

Thou shalt not miss thy solitary way.

Honor

Honor and shame from no conditions rise

Act well your part, there all the honor lies.

Country

Our country, however bounded or described, is still our country

To be cherished with all our hearts, and to be defended with all our hands.