Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pacquiao's pick Zyrene vows to sing anthem in 55 seconds

When international boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito slug it out in Dallas, Texas on November 13, a new face in the music industry will be taking centerstage to render the national anthem.

Interviewed on Mornings@ANC, rising talent Zyrene Parsad, who was personally handpicked by the Pacman to sing "Lupang Hinirang" during the bout, admits she welcomes the opportunity, but is also having sleepless nights over the prospect of singing in such a prominent setting as the international boxing arena.

"I was invited to his [Pacquiao's] Investors' Night at the New World Hotel in Saranggani, He called me after a week and said, 'Ikaw ang kakanta ng Lupang Hinirang sa fight ko.' I wanted to hug him and say `Thank you so much,' because this is such a big break for me," recalls Zyrene, who broke into the music scene after winning 3rd place in the singing search "Are You the Next Big Star?"

No stranger to the music stage, Zyrene admits she received the news with mixed emotions.

"I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm having sleepless nights. Before I go to bed, I pray then I sing the 'Lupang Hinirang' in my mind, and when I wake-up, I sing the 'Lupang Hinirang'," Zyrene says, adding she sings the anthem every chance she gets.

It's Zyrene's way of getting the hymn into her system, following the controversies over the various renditions of the song at international boxing matches, and a clear sign she is serious about singing it right.

"When we learned that I was chosen by our Pacman, my mom and my dad told me to visit the National Historical Commission of the Philippines so you can ask advise on how you're going to sing the Philippine National Anthem. I also went to Senator Chiz Escudero because I think he passed the bill on how to sing the Philippine National anthem right. And then last week, I went to Mr. C [Ryan Cayabyab] to ask for some advice."

"I keep on praying and memorizing the lines. In school, we didn't have a subject on how to do it right, but what I do now is, I read every line and feel it from the heart. That's Mr. C's advise: to sing it from the heart and everything's going to follow."

Zyrene is scheduled to leave on October 29 for Texas, where the fight will be held on November 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila).

Come fight night, boxing fans can expect a traditional rendition of the national anthem from Zyrene.

"I'm going to sing it in 55 seconds. I'm going to sing it right, not on my own interpretation, because I respect the composer of the song."

The assurance comes after several singers came under fire for rendering their own interpretation of "Lupang Hinirang."

Zyrene adds she will be wearing a red Filipiniana gown decked with Swarovski crystals, designed by Pepsi Herrera, to the event.

Grateful for her biggest break yet, Zyrene's newly launched self-titled album, which features 13 tracks, is now out in the market.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Zyrene Parsad prepares to sing Phil. National Anthem in Pacquiao-Margarito bout

When up-coming singer Zyrene Parsad renders her rendition of the “Lupang Hinirang” on the November 13 fight of Manny Pacquiao against Mexican Antonio Margarito, such privilege can either rise her to eventual stardom of become the first artist to be jailed for violating a new law prescribing the right way to sing the National Anthem.

Parsad whose only credential was a third place finish in a singing contest conducted by a television station, was chosen by Pacquiao himself after hearing the young entertainer sang the National Anthem during a gathering of businessmen held recently in a posh Makati hotel.

House Bill 465, which is sure to become a law after recently hurdled the third reading in the Lower House, will impose jail sentence to anyone who will deviate from its original marching tempo in singing the National Anthem. Any violator will also be fined no less than P100,000.

While admitting she feels nervous going the center-stage at the huge Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, site of the fight for the world welterweight championship, the 24-year-old songstress promised though to do it right.

To do it right, Parsad said she will be consulting National Historical Commission of the Philippines on how the anthem should be properly sang.

“Kailangan ko po talagang mag-consult kasi sila ang nagde-decide kung tama o mali ang pag-render mo ng Lupang Hinirang,” she said aware of the fate of other more illustrious personalities like Arnel Pineda, Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha, Kyla, Charice Pempengco, Jennifer Bautista and Christian Bautista, who earned the ire of the NHCP for their “wrong” rendition in the seven-division world champion’s previous fights.

Plan is to also seek the help of internationally-known Filipino composer Ryan Cayabyab who coached Filipina international sensation Charice Pempengco when she sang the national anthem during the inauguration of President Noynoy Aquino.

Parsad said it is an honor to have been chosen to sing the National Anthem before the world audience confessing she’s excited that such an appearance might finally make her an international star.

“Masaya at kinakabahan, siyempre. World champion si Pacquiao at congressman pa.Talagang malaking karangalan na makasama ka sa laban niya. Lalo’t ang manunood say o ay ang buong mundo,” she said excitedly. “

To prepare her physically and to strengthen her vocal chords, Parsad said she has been going swimming daily. 

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Zyrene consults NHCP over national anthem

Zyrene Parsad, the young singer chosen by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao to sing the Philippine national anthem in his upcoming fight in Dallas, Texas this November, visited the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Tuesday to get pointers on how to sing the anthem properly. 

Parsad arrived at the NHCP at 10 a.m. to consult the organization on the proper way of singing the anthem.

Parsad was asked to render “Lupang Hinirang” as NHCP officials observed the pacing of her song.

NHI’s Heraldry section chief Teddy Atienza reminded Parsad not to change the tune and tempo of the song when she performs in November. He said taking liberties with the national anthem could lead to a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 plus a 1-year jail sentence, in accordance with the provisions of the National Flag Law. If Congress raises the penalty and makes P100,000 plus a 2-years jail sentence.

All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.

Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned if the measure 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.

Atienza advised Parsad not to be nervous so she won’t forget her lines like what happened to singer Christian Bautista.

The NHCP has previously reminded Filipino artists singing the national anthem during Pacquiao fights not to take liberties with the song. Among those chastised by the institution for their wrong renditions of the anthem are Martin Nievera, Arnel Pineda, La Diva, Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha and Charice Pempengco. 

The NHCP said that if properly sung with a two-fourths beat and 100 metronomes, the national anthem should last 53 seconds. 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Babastos sa ‘Lupang Hinirang’ parurusahan

APRUBADO na sa ikatlong pagbasa ang panukalang batas na magpapataw ng multa at parusa sa mga hindi magbibigay respeto sa pambansang awit ng Pilipinas na “Lupang Hinirang”.

Sa botong 196 ng kabuuang bilang ng mga kongresista ay naipasa sa ikatlong pagbasa ang House Bill 465 o “ An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.”

Sa ilalim ng panukala, pagmumultahin ng P100,000 at makukulong ng dalawang taon ang sinumang performer na lalayo sa official musical arrangement ng “Lupang Hinirang” na binuo ni Julian Felipe.

“Lupang Hinirang” should be sung in a marching-type tempo, within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 4/4 beat and 2/4 beat when played,” binigyang diin pa ng pangunahing may-akda ng panukala na si Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero.

Bukod sa Pambansang Awit, inaprubahan din ang consolidated bills na House Bills 603 at 465 na nagbabawal sa paggamit ng Philippine flag at iba pang heraldic items and devices bilang advertising tool para sa political o private purposes, at pananamit o fashion accessory.

Maaari lamang gamitin ang watawat na pangtakip sa casket o kabaong ng nasawing miyembro ng militar, veterans, national artists, o civilian na nagbigay ng karangalan sa bansa. Meliza Maluntag

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Pacquiao picks Zyrene to sing anthem

Filipino boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has chosen 24-year-old Zyrene Parsad to sing the Philippine anthem for his fight against Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito in Texas, USA on November 13.

According to Parsad, Pacquiao personally chose her to sing “Lupang Hinirang” after he heard her perform in an Investor’s night in Sarangani.

With all the controversies surrounding the rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” during previous Pacquiao fights, Parsad vowed to sing the anthem correctly.

The young singer said she is already preparing for the much awaited Pacquiao-Margarito bout.

She said she tries to sing the national anthem every morning so she can be more familiar with its tempo and lyrics. She also jogs every day to improve her breathing.

National Flag Law author Salvador Escudero III, meanwhile, said he will give Parsad references on the proper way to sing the national anthem.

Parsad is set to meet with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on Friday or Monday to give her tips on how to sing the anthem correctliy.

According to Section 37 of Republic Act (RA) 8491, the rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.

Felipe is the original music arranger of Lupang Hinirang in 1898. It has tune of march and the lyrics was adapted from the Spanish poem “Filipinas” written by Jose Palma only in 1899.

The NHCP, 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 NHCP.

The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in schools. 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 rendition 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."

RA 8491 prescribes that any person who will violate its provisions may be punished by a fine of at least P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year. If the Congress raises the penalty and make P100,000 or imprisonment of not more than two years.

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.