The recent Manny Pacquiao fight was an overwhelming victory for the Filipino people. Prior to the fight were introduction to the fighters and the singing of the national anthem of their respective countries. The singer who rendered the Philippine national anthem was no less than the concert king himself Martin Nievera.
Martin Nievera is known to be the concert king in the Philippines because indeed he is. He performs concerts a lot of times and he is one of the best singers n the country. Singers in the past Manny Pacquiao fights were good singers as well, but none of them have at least come up to a career height level as that of Martin Nievera's. His rendition to the Philippine national anthem was truly one of the greatest.
The previous singers of Manny Pacquiao fights were equally good as well. There was Kyla, Christian Bautista and Karyl Tatlonghari who were really excellent when they rendered the Philippine national anthem, except of course for Bautista who forgot some of the lyrics when he sang. It was truly shameful of him to do that! He was probably very tensed as it was his first time to sing in front of the world watching. He was able to cope with words though and only the Filipinos recognized the glitch. The World did not even understand it anyway what he was singing .
National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines have often complained about how these artists rendered the Philippine national anthem. They say that there is a way to sing the song and singing it otherwise is is punishable by law with fines and imprisonment. The Philippine national anthem should be sung in marching mode according to NHI.
What is appalling about this issue is that this NHI people are so sensitive with how these singers sing the Philippine national anthem. I have witnessed many instances where the star spangled banner (American national anthem) is sang differently, but never heard of anyone giving any qualms about it. Strict compliance to how the song is rendered should focus on how the people receives the song at the time of singing. If the singer insults the country behind the song, then let him be an anathema. If the singer sends a negative message , makes fun of the song or insinuates rebellion then sue him. But if the singer has sung the song beautifully then appreciate at least, don't send him to court.
Do we have a recognition problem here? Are we just trying to stir the air just because it is an opportunity to show the world that such an institution exists in this corner? It is a situation similar to a child trying to show to his dad that he did something and shows it off to be recognized. Nobody knows so much what the NHI is all about. They only come out in the open every time there is a Manny Pacquiao fight and the National Anthem is sung which did not come up to their standard. Is this what the NHI all about? I am sure this is one of their mandates, but certainly there are a lot more in priority.
I am not against following the rules in singing the Philippine national anthem. Although I find the song a little drag, it could be because I have lived with it for all my life. But I love every word of it, honestly speaking. For as long as the the singer is not rapping the Philippine national anthem, I think I can live with that. Find other issue more relevant to improving the lives of the Filipino people, my message to NHI and to the unknown lawyer who sued Martin Nievera in court.
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