Monday, August 24, 2009

Gone in 55 seconds

Raising this matter again may somehow groan like the broken record. But this is very elementary, you know (sounding like Manny Pacquiao)! I do have this big respect for artistic freedom but please – por Dios, por Santo – spare the “Lupang Hinirang”.

After all those booboos, I feel that it’s about time the National Historical Institute train an official singer of the national anthem and commission him/her to any match, of sorts, whenever-wherever there’s the need to sing the patriotic hymn. It would be best for the NHI to tap a grader who looks up at his/her mentor as the bearer of the absolute truth; so, he/she executes as directed, and as expected.

Yes, this is very elementary. At grade one, children listen and sing the national song until they get familiar with it. Also, the children are taught the proper way of saluting the flag. At second grade, children are expected to read and sing along and able to identify “Lupang Hinirang” as a symbol of the Philippines.

As they move on to grade three, they are to perfectly sing the lyrics correctly: its melody, proper timing, and dynamics; to sing with proper expression and feelings. At grade four, children are now expected to understand the national anthem by heart and continue participating solemnly in singing the “Lupang Hinirang” with feelings.

As for the fifth grader, love of country is now deeply instilled through the song. And that it shows them how our heroes bravely fought and fearlessly died for our country’s independence so we could enjoy being FREEMAN.

At the sixth grade, children already view our national anthem in terms of nationalism and loyalty. And that we adults should have the initiative, at such crucial stages, to share and guide them in learning the song to heart.

Very elementary, indeed, as espoused by our Vibal-published books!

The “Lupang Hinirang” should be over in 55 seconds! How come? Go back to Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. Section 37 specifically provides that the rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe. The original version was composed in duple time (i.e. in a time signature of 2/4). But because some singers find it hard to literally follow the said measure, the quadruple time (4/4) was adopted.

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local competitions; during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

Under Section 48 of RA 8491, “failure or refusal to observe the provisions of this Act; and any violation of the corresponding rules and regulations issued by the Office of the President, shall after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”

It prescribes that any person who will violate its provisions may be punished by a fine of at least P 20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned subsequently, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.

Amendment, as proposed by Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel, to give way to artistic freedom, should make it a requirement that the singer cares primarily for history, for patriotic pride and sensitivity; for the blood of our forefathers poured to reclaim our homeland. A well-raised child knows how to live up to the expectation that Filipinos, in this modern age, are indeed worth dying for.

 Why the fuss again? I’m fed up with our choices of “Lupang Hinirang” singers. If we “birit” the Lupang Hinirang, then why do we teach, in the first place, the youngsters to sing such in the so-called “proper manner” and “with fervor”? Why don’t we teach them then to do it the emo way; the hair rock fashion; the reggae-dub-ska?

This is very elementary. “Lupang Hinirang” is not only about the singer or about any boxer or his winning match. It’s about you and me and the rest who appreciate what it’s like to be held together by recurring themes of love of freedom, pride in motherland and shared cultural roots; of nationhood; of cultural traditions and ideals that various forms of colonization cum tyranny failed to strip off.

Treasuring and preserving our forefathers’ legacy is expected of us. Nothing less.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

House panel to criminalize incorrect rendition of ‘Lupang Hinirang’

Improvised singing of “Lupang Hinirang” may soon be considered a criminal act.

The House committee on basic education and culture, chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina City, announced the passage on third and final reading of House Bill (HB) Number 6424 or the measure proposing to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem. The bill imposes two-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.


Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon said once the bill is enacted into law, deviating from the musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe when played and singing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” will be considered a crime punishable under Republic Act No. 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines signed on February 12, 1998.


“This measure proposes to prescribe standards with respect to the singing of the National Anthem, protocol and display of the flag,” Escudero said.


Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, co-author of the bill, said the National Anthem shall be within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.


“The National Anthem is a marching-type tempo wherein the Filipino participants are obliged to sing,” de Guzman said.


The NHI, in coordination with the proper government agency, shall disseminate an official music score sheet that reflects the manner in which the national anthem should be played or sung.


When the national anthem is played, the public is required to sing and do so "with fervor."


They are expected to sing while the right hand is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.


Individuals whose faith prohibit them from singing “Lupang Hinirang” must still show full respect.


The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."


But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations, before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; and other occasions as may be allowed by the NHI.


The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic educational institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.


In Section 20 of the bill states: The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing and mandatory singing of the national anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.


The bill also requires all government and private offices as well as Filipino residences to display the Philippine flag from National Flag Day (May 28) to Independence Day (June 12) of each year, declaring it the period as Flag Days.


Reacting to the style of singing of Martin Nievera during the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight on May 3, Rep. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna said there was need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the national anthem in his or her preferred style.


Casiño filed last month House Resolution 1137, calling for an inquiry into the correct manner of singing the National Anthem.


“The public should be enlightened that there is a law on how to show respect for the Philippine flag, the National Anthem, the great seal and other heraldic items because these are symbols of the Filipino spirit and national identity,” Casiño said.


The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Eduardo Nonato Joson (First District, Nueva Ecija), Carlos Padilla (Lone District, Nueva Viscaya) Jesi Lapus (Third District, Tarlac), Mariano Pia­monte (Party-List, A TEACHER), Candido Pancrudo Jr. (First District, Bukidnon) Maria Isabelle Climaco (First District, Zamboa­nga City), Roilo Golez (Second District, Parañaque City), Philip Pichay (First District, Surigao del Sur), Jaime Lopez (Second District, Manila), Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (First District, Bulacan) and Isidro Ungab (Third District, Davao City).


The lawmaker noted that Nievera were not the first artist who has sung the national anthem in abbreviated and a different style and tempo. “There were other artists who were already criticized for singing “Lupang Hinirang” in their own preferred mood or tempo,” Casiño said.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Bill on RP flag OK’d

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill that addresses controversies surrounding the wearing of fashion accessories containing items in the Philippine flag or seal and the propensity of Filipino artists to freely make their own interpretation of the National Anthem.

In a bid to make clear its stand against disrespect of the flag and other heraldic codes of the country, the chamber decided to hike the imposable fines up to five folds and doubled the prison term from one year to two years.

Congressmen also put in a new provision that would allow any person to conduct a citizen’s arrest while the law is being violated in his presence.

Before adjourning last week, lawmakers unanimously voted to pass House Bill 6424 which seeks to amend Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

“The bill aims to update the law in the light of contemporary changes in attitudes and idioms among Filipinos. It also intends to instill love of country and underscore the importance of complying with standard expressions of respect for our national symbols,” said Marikina City Rep. Del de Guzman, chairman of the House committee on basic education and culture.

Approval of the measure came in the wake of the controversy surrounding the rendition of the national anthem by balladeer Martin Nievera during the celebrated boxing match between Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and British Ricky Hatton.

Also caught in the wake of the bill’s approval was the issue on the use of Philippine flag items such as the stars and the eight-ray sun in T-shirts and other fashion accessories.

Authored by Reps. Edno Joson (Independent, Nueva Ecija), Juan Edgardo Angara (LDP, Aurora); Rufus Rodriguez (PDP, Cagayan de Oro City) and Mark Leandro Mendoza (NPC, Batangas), HB 6424 prescribes the standard beat and tempo and requires mandatory singing of the National Anthem.

Under the bill the national anthem will be rendered in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe “in 2/4 beat when played” and in 4/4 beat when sung.”

It tasked the National Historical Institute to disseminate the official music score sheet for the anthem.

Persons with religious beliefs prohibiting them from making pledge to the flag will also no longer be exempted from showing full respect for the flag and will be asked to stand at attention.

The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes."

But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; national and local sports competitions, during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations, before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; Provided, that the owners and management of the establishments shall be mandated to enforce proper decorum and implement the pertinent provisions of this act; and other occasions as may be allowed by the NHI.

The Oath of Patriotism must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic educational institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.

In Section 20 of the bill states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing and mandatory singing of the national anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”

The proposal prohibits the wearing of the flag, seal or coat-of arms as part of a fashion accessory or merely as a design element.

It also bans the use or display of the flag as part of any advertisement or infomercial unless approved by the NHI.

To further instill national awareness for respect of the flag, education agencies of the government were tasked to ensure that students in all public and private institutions will “commit to memory” the national anthem.

Penalties imposed against violators include a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

Monday, May 25, 2009

A diary regarding the re-enactment of episode 3, part 3, sequence 1 of Your Song presents Boystown


In the ABS-CBN's Sunday drama anthology Your Song presents Boystown, lead cast member Enchong Dee as Arnel on doing a diary regarding my re-enactment of episode 3, part 3, sequence 1:


"In my diary regarding my re-enactment of episode 3, part 3, sequence 1 of Your Song presents Boystown, shot on location at the Olympic-size swimming pool of Makati Aqua Sports Arena, without Coach Daniel portrayed by Romnick Sarmienta, as a solo artist along with my sister Maria Angelika "Anj" Dee, 2010 UAAP Swimming Championships Girls Division MVP Sabrina Ingrid Ilustre, 2022 UAAP Swimming Championships Women's Division MVP Xiandi Chua, 2009 UAAP Swimming Championships Men's Division Rookie of the Year and 2013 UAAP Swimming Championships Men's Division MVP Johansen Benedict "Johan" Aguilar, Joshua Desamero and Adrian Thomas Dionisio, I am the youngest swimmer from Naga, Camarines Sur, turned professional movie and television actor and comedian, dancer, TV commercial, print and ramp model, singer and songwriter, and a student of De La Salle University, Manila campus."





















For the 20-year-old Enchong Dee, playing Arnel in the ABS-CBN’s Sunday mid-afternoon drama mini-series, Your Song presents “Boystown”, is seated, using Cofta Ruby 1 Monoblock – Plain White and a starter pack for his hair styling includes Bench Fix Hair Gel, Normal Hold 135g and Bench Fix Hair Wax in Rock Steady 80g, it wears Arena ARN-6015 DGRN Rimic Nux-F, size M and holding Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type), he does a hair styling and portrait session with hair & makeup artist Nilo Cruz before proceeding to the climb at the swimming block, where he is adjusting the Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) to do a men’s 400-meter individual medley, men’s 200-meter butterfly, men’s 100-meter butterfly, men’s 50-meter butterfly, men’s 200-meter individual medley, men’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s 1,500-meter freestyle then Enchong Dee as Arnel was in lane 4 wearing Arena ARN-6015 DGRN Rimic Nux-F, size M and adjusting his Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and his sister Anj Dee is in lane 3 wearing Speedo Fastskin FS-Pro Recordbreaker Costume, Female – Black (8-008153218) and adjusting her Speedo Speedsocket Mirror Goggle - Black (8-705893515) to do a men’s and women’s 400-meter individual medley, men’s and women’s 200-meter butterfly, men’s and women’s 100-meter butterfly, men’s and women’s 50-meter butterfly, men’s and women’s 200-meter individual medley, men’s and women’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s and women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, Enchong Dee as Arnel was in lane 4 wearing Arena ARN-6015 DGRN Rimic Nux-F, size M and adjusting his Arena AGL-1400 EMBL swimming glass (mirror Swedish type) and Johan Aguilar is in lane 5 wearing Agonswim University Athletic Association, University of Florida Mesh Training Suit Fully Front and Back Lined (ACX111510TRS2MES) and adjusting his Speedo Speedsocket Mirror Goggle – Black (8-705893515) to do a men’s 400-meter individual medley, men’s 200-meter butterfly, men’s 100-meter butterfly, men’s 50-meter butterfly, men’s 200-meter individual medley, men’s 800-meter freestyle and men’s 1,500-meter freestyle when Arnel will training with us, before warm-up, to watch a one-on-one game, photo by Ronnie Salvacion, styling by Bang Pineda, makeup by Renato Lu, shot on location at the 50-meter Olympic-size swimming pool of Makati Aqua Sports Arena.

P.S. Big thanks to Dimo for lending his underwater housing!

It uses the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, Canon EOS C100 Mark II with Dual Pixel CMOS AF & EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Zoom Lens Kit, Ewa-Marine Underwater Housing for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, and Ewa-Marine V102 Underwater Housing for Canon EOS C100 or C100 Mark II.















































“Then, yours truly, Johan Aguilar, Fahad Alkhaldi, Tim Yap, Jheg Gonzales, Roch Santos, Sage Yabut, Aidan Kyle Paggabao, Adrian Dionisio, Joshua Desamero, Zach Maranon, Berber Berino and Sacho Ilustre, FAST – Ateneo Swimming Team members Jessie Lacuna, Axel Ngui, Marco Daos, Wacky Santos, Sean Tan, Evan Brian Uy, Janjan Chiu, Jonas Ramos and Chico Gueco, University of the Philippines (UP) Varsity Swimming Team (UPVST) members Gabe Castelo, Gian Berino, Joseph Gaston Beloso, Tenten Mercado, Yani Reynoso, Allan Jovero, Ken Uy, and Zeus Magbanlac, and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigersharks team captain Miggy Carandang and UST Tigersharks members Dexter Docong, Xavier Ilustre, Karlo Salonga, Aljon Salonga, Charles Ivan Yatco and Andrei Nikolai Yambao, have a Goldilocks Mango Dream premium cake with the staff of UAAP Magazine to commemorate the 15th year of my last appearance in the UAAP Swimming Championships holding seven gold medals.”