It’s lamentable that some narrow-minded purists, who are more popish than the Pope, are up in arms over singer Martin Nievera’s rendition of the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” before the Manny Pacquiao versus Ricky Hatton fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last weekend.
And singing “Bayang Magiliw” with fervor?
These purists are thinking of hauling Nievera to Congress for an investigation and threatening to fine and even jail the concert king for his interpretation of the National Anthem.
According the law, known as the Flag and Heraldic Code, it will be mandatory for employees and students to memorize the national anthem at hotels, shopping malls, public and private offices and schools.
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.
As part of his or her preparation, she went to the office of the NHCP where she was given a CD and a book on how to sing the national anthem — the proper way.
Basically a march, he or she has to master the cadence on how the national anthem should be sung — in 55 seconds (that’s how fast it should be).
The NHI also suggested that it would be best for her to hold the microphone on his/her left hand — with the right hand on his or her chest. He or she was also taught how to hold the flag correctly, which actually does not concern her or him anymore, but she took all that in and appreciates the help extended by the NHI people to her.
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 claim is Nievera, by singing the anthem in a “different” style, violated Section 37, Chapter II of Republic Act Number 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which stipulates that “the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome in 4/4 beat when sang.”
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.
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 palm is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibits them from singing "Lupang Hinirang" must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played 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 or local sports competitions, during the “signing on” or “signing off” of radio and television broadcasting stations, before the opening and after the closing of work in government and private offices, 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, public and private 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.
It shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions and employees of officials and employees of the national and local governments, and any agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, privately-owned entities or offices, and rendered during the flag raising and lowering ceremony.
“We have to follow the law, and our law is very categorical (on this). In singing the national anthem, you have to follow the arrangement of Julian Felipe, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome in 4/4 beat when sang,” he said.
The Office of the Solicitor General, when asked for its legal opinion by the NHI in connection with the stylized rendition of singers Martin Nievera during the bout of Pacquiao and British national Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 and La Diva during the bout of Pacquiao and Puerto Rican national Miguel Cotto on November 14, 2009 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, United States and Arnel Pineda during the bout of Pacquiao and Ghanaian national Joshua Clottey on March 13, 2010 at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, United States.
But de Lima said the NHI did not pursue the case because it was also told by the OSG there is a problem with jurisdiction since the alleged violation was committed in the US.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief also said he/she is not aware of any case wherein a person was charged and convicted for violating this law.
But de Lima clarified that there is no case filed yet against singers in the DOJ so he/she could not comment yet on the latter’s possible violation of law.
“I also haven’t watched,” she added.
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 NHI, after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”
The permit of private educational institutions which would violate any of RA 8491's provisions would be canceled by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), upon the recommendation of the National Historical Institute (NHI).
Public and private officials or employees who will violate the rules, meanwhile, would be punished in accordance with Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. They could also face criminal charges.
The NHI would be tasked to formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the law in consultation with the DECS, CHED, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.
Amendment, as proposed by former 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.
If found guilty of the violation, Nievera could be fined from P5,000 to P20,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than a year, upon the court’s discretion: provided, that for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: further that in case the violation is committed by a juridical person, it's President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable. Officials of the National Historical Institute are pushing to stuff a stocking in Nievera’s mouth as if he committed some earth-shaking crime.
The NHI may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.
Any citizen shall have the power to conduct a citizen's arrest if a person is actually violating of any provision of this act in officers to assist in conducting citizen's arrest. All security personnel and ushers in movie-houses are likewise authorized to arrest the violators.
Before throwing stones at Nievera, here are some questions to answer. Did Nievera desecrate the sanctity of the anthem? Did he make fun of it? Did he change the lyrics? Did he radically alter the “sound” of the anthem so that it became unrecognizable from the original? Did he irreverently sing the “Lupang Hinirang” like some trashy tune?
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?
If the purists have nothing better to do than to ring the alarm bells just so the public will know they exist, they should just shut up – instead of Nievera who did the country proud by singing a stirring rendition that drew a smile from Pacquiao himself in the dressing room, loud applause from the Filipino crowd in the stadium and a thumbs-up from ringside spectators Jack Nicholson and Mark Wahlberg.
You wonder if the US has a similar law “protecting” the Star Spangled Banner. I suspect there is but I haven’t heard a single US lawmaker challenging the rockers, jazz artists and rappers who’ve sung the American anthem in their own unique style during sporting events. I remember before one Pacquiao fight recently, an American singer was so irreverent that she held on to the top rope in the ring and stood like she was crooning in a bar lounge while mumbling the Star Spangled Banner. I don’t recall anyone screaming foul because there is such a thing as freedom of expression.
The late Jimi Hendrix even cut an album track where he played a noisy rock version of the Star Spangled Banner.
But of course, the Philippines isn’t the US.
Nievera spent over a month rehearsing how to sing the anthem. He even sang it during a recent Robinson’s Manila mall launch of his latest album, “For Always.” His rendition was on YouTube over a week before the fight – and there was no reaction from the National Historical Institute.
Nievera even emailed versions of his rendition to several people so he could get comments on how to improve his delivery. His whole idea was to sing it proudly within the atmosphere of a boxing event where national pride was on the line. Can anyone fault him for that?
The day after the fight, Nievera got a text from Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee thanking him for his appearance and congratulating him for his delivery. Last Monday, Nievera flew from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to be with Pacquiao in his victory party where they both sang “Kahit Isang Saglit” a capella in front of the GMA-7 cameras.
By far, Nievera’s delivery was the best yet for a Pacquiao fight. No one comes close.
Nievera said a few weeks before the fight, he heard a rumor that Lea Salonga had volunteered to sing the anthem and she would do the honors instead.
“Manny asked me to sing the anthem two months before but I told him if he wanted to ask somebody else to do it, I would back off and even assist whoever would sing in any way I could,” said Nievera. “But Manny phoned and told me I was his choice and that was that. I was even willing to do a duet if somebody else wanted to sing. I didn’t want to be a problem for anyone.”
Nievera said in the ring, that all he wanted to do was to show his pride as a Filipino. His earpiece and belt showed the Philippine flag. He wore a Francis Magalona-designed “Three Stars and a Sun” shirt. Even his idol, Welsh star Tom Jones who sang “God Save The Queen,” shook Nievera’s hand as if to say a good job. Before Jones’ turn came, he blew on a key pipe to make sure he was in tune – he was that nervous.
Instead of castigating Nievera, he should be commended for rallying all Filipinos behind the flag in an inspiring display of unity. The “Pambansang Awit” isn’t a funeral song. It’s a marching anthem that’s supposed to instill pride in every Filipino’s heart. I think Nievera achieved that purpose.
To put the controversy in perspective, Nievera sent this text yesterday:
“I can’t apologize for giving my all for my country. I can say the word ‘sorry’ but it would not mean the same thing. It would mean a hundred different things but it would not mean what ‘sorry’ means. But I can say it if it means to make things better.
“Even if the money value is not ridiculously steep to stay out of jail, I feel I owe the generations of artists that follow me their right to sing a song their song the way they feel it should be sung in order to move and inspire even if it means a little jail time. I mean if someone they call concert king can compromise then what will the future hold for tomorrow’s concert kings and queens?
http://www.philstar.com/sports/464762/why-fuss-martin, www.philstar.com/entertainment/623958/zyrenes-take-lupang-hinirang
And singing “Bayang Magiliw” with fervor?
These purists are thinking of hauling Nievera to Congress for an investigation and threatening to fine and even jail the concert king for his interpretation of the National Anthem.
According the law, known as the Flag and Heraldic Code, it will be mandatory for employees and students to memorize the national anthem at hotels, shopping malls, public and private offices and schools.
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.
As part of his or her preparation, she went to the office of the NHCP where she was given a CD and a book on how to sing the national anthem — the proper way.
Basically a march, he or she has to master the cadence on how the national anthem should be sung — in 55 seconds (that’s how fast it should be).
The NHI also suggested that it would be best for her to hold the microphone on his/her left hand — with the right hand on his or her chest. He or she was also taught how to hold the flag correctly, which actually does not concern her or him anymore, but she took all that in and appreciates the help extended by the NHI people to her.
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 claim is Nievera, by singing the anthem in a “different” style, violated Section 37, Chapter II of Republic Act Number 8491 or Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which stipulates that “the rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome in 4/4 beat when sang.”
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.
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 palm is placed over the left chest. Uniformed personnel, meanwhile, are to salute the flag as prescribed by their respective regulations.
Individuals whose faith prohibits them from singing "Lupang Hinirang" must still show full respect.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played 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 or local sports competitions, during the “signing on” or “signing off” of radio and television broadcasting stations, before the opening and after the closing of work in government and private offices, 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, public and private 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.
It shall be committed to memory by all students of both public and private educational institutions and employees of officials and employees of the national and local governments, and any agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, privately-owned entities or offices, and rendered during the flag raising and lowering ceremony.
“We have to follow the law, and our law is very categorical (on this). In singing the national anthem, you have to follow the arrangement of Julian Felipe, in 2/4 beat when played; and within the range of 100 to 120 metronome in 4/4 beat when sang,” he said.
The Office of the Solicitor General, when asked for its legal opinion by the NHI in connection with the stylized rendition of singers Martin Nievera during the bout of Pacquiao and British national Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009 and La Diva during the bout of Pacquiao and Puerto Rican national Miguel Cotto on November 14, 2009 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, United States and Arnel Pineda during the bout of Pacquiao and Ghanaian national Joshua Clottey on March 13, 2010 at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas, United States.
But de Lima said the NHI did not pursue the case because it was also told by the OSG there is a problem with jurisdiction since the alleged violation was committed in the US.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) chief also said he/she is not aware of any case wherein a person was charged and convicted for violating this law.
But de Lima clarified that there is no case filed yet against singers in the DOJ so he/she could not comment yet on the latter’s possible violation of law.
“I also haven’t watched,” she added.
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 NHI, after proper notice and hearing, shall be penalized by public censure which shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation.”
The permit of private educational institutions which would violate any of RA 8491's provisions would be canceled by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), upon the recommendation of the National Historical Institute (NHI).
Public and private officials or employees who will violate the rules, meanwhile, would be punished in accordance with Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service. They could also face criminal charges.
The NHI would be tasked to formulate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the law in consultation with the DECS, CHED, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.
Amendment, as proposed by former 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.
If found guilty of the violation, Nievera could be fined from P5,000 to P20,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than a year, upon the court’s discretion: provided, that for any second and additional offenses, both fine and imprisonment shall always be imposed: further that in case the violation is committed by a juridical person, it's President or Chief Executive Officer thereof shall be liable. Officials of the National Historical Institute are pushing to stuff a stocking in Nievera’s mouth as if he committed some earth-shaking crime.
The NHI may prescribe in the implementing rules and regulations of this act other acts or omissions which shall be deemed disrespectful, and thus prohibited, relative to the flag, national anthem, great seal, coat-of-arms, national motto and other heraldic items and devices.
Any citizen shall have the power to conduct a citizen's arrest if a person is actually violating of any provision of this act in officers to assist in conducting citizen's arrest. All security personnel and ushers in movie-houses are likewise authorized to arrest the violators.
Before throwing stones at Nievera, here are some questions to answer. Did Nievera desecrate the sanctity of the anthem? Did he make fun of it? Did he change the lyrics? Did he radically alter the “sound” of the anthem so that it became unrecognizable from the original? Did he irreverently sing the “Lupang Hinirang” like some trashy tune?
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?
Memorized ko yung Lupang Hinirang tsaka yung old version ng Panatang Makabayan. yung new version, hindi ko man lang alam. College na kasi ako nung napalitang yung Panatang Makabayan, eh hindi naman nirerecite yung nung college na ko.
Erna Delacruz “Noong elementary school kinakanta namin yang baayaang magiliw at lupang hinirang sa labas ng school nakatapat sa watawat ng pilipinas habang inaakyat ang watawat nakatingin ang mga bata at ang kamay kanan nakahawak sa baba ng puso sa kaliwa”
Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "Ako, tuwing nakakarinig ako ng tugtog ng Lupang Hinirang, ang Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas, ako'y umiiyak. Marami na kaseng mga kabataan ngayon na hindi marunong gumalang sa ating bandila pag itinataas. Sana, maturuuan sila."
Justina Marcelo Winnie Banzuelo Hermo "pag nag Pambansang Awit na Lupang Hinirang lahat tumitigil at may paggalang ng nakalagay ang ating kanan kamay sa dibdib, at pagkatapos ang panunumpa dapat maibalik ang pagkilala natin sa ating bansang Pilipinas, maraming kabataan ang hindi na alam at nawala na rin paggalang at walang paki sa kalinisan, kalikasan. sana mabalik na rin ang GMRC”
Rey Caba Justina Marcelo “tama po kayo dati panahon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr. kapag narinig ang bayang magiliw lahat humihinto pati sasakyan inaantay matapos ang awit bago uli aarangkada ang mga tao at sasakyan”
Ernie Abordo Jr. “Noong una kahit wala ka sa loob ng eskwelahan at napadaan ka lang kapag narinig mo ng kumakanta ng bayang magiliw titigil ka sa paglalakad at tatapusin mo muna ang kanta bago ka ulit lumakad yan ay bilang paggalang natin sa ating inang bayan”
John N. Retuerto: “buti pa sa sinehan... bago magsimula ang palabas... tatayo muna at kinakanta ang Lupang Hinirang...”
Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "Ibalik dapat ang dating kaugaliang pagkanta at pag awit ng (Lupang Hinirang), at ibalik din ang Panatang Makabayan... Kay ganda noong araw sa panahon ni late apo lakay marcos, pagtungtong ng mga epal at mga anay sa lipunang mga oligarkiya, mga aquino.. nawala na ang mga kagawiang kanta awit at panatang makabayan.. pati mga lessons ng history ay toloyan ng inalis nila, pura bulagin ang mga mag aaral maging mga guro sa tunay at diwa ng kalahagahan nito.. Sana ngayon new administration ay mabalik na ang dating nakagawian ang pagkanta araw-araw ng (Lupang Hinirang) at pagbigkas ng (Panatang Makabayan) at (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) sa mga paaralan tuwing umaga..at flag retreat naman sa tuwing hapon.."
Charline Villafuerte Founder Eagle Nelson Acompañado "at kapag napadaan ka sa eskwelahan na inaawit ang lupang hinirang kailangan huminto at magbigay galang habang inaawit ito"
Charline Villafuerte "korek po at tama po talaga kayo maam.. sagad sa mga pangaral ang mga kabataang mag aaral noong unang mga nakaraang panahon, kay gandang isipin at gunitaing muli... kaya ang panawagan ng ating bagong halal na pangulong BBM, ibalik at sama sama tayong babangun muli... at taas noo kahit kanino..."
Ronaldo Sigua "Sa elementarya ngayon hindi kinakanta yan lupang hinirang sa loob ng kwarto araw-araw sabi ng anak ko tuwing lunes na lang... Kaya mga elementarya dapat din kabisado ang lyrics until now. Sana sa mga guro kahit bawal mag flag ceremony sa labas kahit sa loob ng classroom na lang araw arawin sana ang pagkanta ng lupang hinirang..."
Anila De Juan "Dapat isabatas na kapag tumutugtog at tinataas ang watawat kahit saang ĺugar dapat huminto ang mga tao at mga sasakyan"
Mico Cangmaong "Araw-araw may flag ceremony at inaawit ang Pambansang Awit LUPANG HINIRANG pero sayang wala maintindihan ang message sa flag at awit, ngayon binaluktot na ang kanilang tungkulin sa bayan, Protect the People Secure the Sovereignty of the State and the Integrity of the National Territory, wala binuboli na ang ating bansa sa China"
Vikki Reyes Pornobi "Di nga nahinto ang mga tao sa paglakad at pati mga sasakyan tuwing flag ceremony... Hindii pinapansin in short nawala na ang paggalang"
Isaac Mamucud "noon kami ang nasa elementarya sa labas kinakanta namin ang lupang hinirang at yung panatang makabayan, kung nasaan ang flag pole sa umaga itaas ang bandila araw-araw"
Nenita Torres Isaac Mamucud "Umaga at hapon Yan kinakanta, at yong flag, hindi yan pinaulanan, tubing hapon ibinaba at ilagay sa lalagyan,"
Isaac Mamucud Nenita Torres "tama po kayo,pag tag ulan nakasabit sa harapan ng iskwelahan na di nababasa ng ulan"
Ronaldo Sigua Nenita Torres "ewan ko nga po bkit hindi na pinagagawa ng teacher ngaun yan... sila dapat nakaka alam ng ganyan para ipagawa sa ating mga anak,,hindi na tao dapat pang ipaaalala pa sa kanila matik na dapat..."
Jenneth Rojas Nenita Torres "pag hindi ka naka attend ng flag ceremony, late ka!"
Isaac Mamucud Jenneth Rojas "kaya nga po, maaga kming pumapasok noon 7 a.m. time na 6 a.m. nasa school na kami."
Ronaldo Sigua Isaac Mamucud "principal at guro po dapat ang nagpapatupad ngaun nian sa skwelahan,,mukang nkalimutan npo na nila yan pag galng na yan... Cguro nmn ung mga teacher na ngaun ay inabot pa nila ung mga gawain na yan... So bakit hindi nila pinagpapatuloy ang ganyang paggalang sa ating watawat."
Isaac Mamucud Ronaldo Sigua "principal at teacher lahat nasa harapan kasama mga styudante nila, napapansin ko ngayon may kinder, may prep pa may K-12 ang iq nila parang bumababa napapansin ko lang."
Ligaya Rivera "kami noon daily morning ang hapon... pag grade 6 schedule nang pupils magpataas at pababa nang saka pagfold fold nang bandera pupils assigned pagbeat ng pambansing awit (Lupang Hinirang) at iba naman ang sa panatang makabayan. Kaya almost 100 percent pupils summarized nila lahat. Grabe ang deciplina noon"
니노 Ligaya Rivera "baka memorized. Pero totoo"
Zenaida Leah Mateo "Tama Po sana ibalik yung pagkanta tuwing umaga ang pambansang awit at sa panatang makabayan. Kasi Hindi na alam ng mga bata kantahin. Nakakahiya!"
Joon Bena Ligaya Rivera "memorize po, tama po kayo"
You wonder if the US has a similar law “protecting” the Star Spangled Banner. I suspect there is but I haven’t heard a single US lawmaker challenging the rockers, jazz artists and rappers who’ve sung the American anthem in their own unique style during sporting events. I remember before one Pacquiao fight recently, an American singer was so irreverent that she held on to the top rope in the ring and stood like she was crooning in a bar lounge while mumbling the Star Spangled Banner. I don’t recall anyone screaming foul because there is such a thing as freedom of expression.
The late Jimi Hendrix even cut an album track where he played a noisy rock version of the Star Spangled Banner.
But of course, the Philippines isn’t the US.
Nievera spent over a month rehearsing how to sing the anthem. He even sang it during a recent Robinson’s Manila mall launch of his latest album, “For Always.” His rendition was on YouTube over a week before the fight – and there was no reaction from the National Historical Institute.
Nievera even emailed versions of his rendition to several people so he could get comments on how to improve his delivery. His whole idea was to sing it proudly within the atmosphere of a boxing event where national pride was on the line. Can anyone fault him for that?
The day after the fight, Nievera got a text from Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee thanking him for his appearance and congratulating him for his delivery. Last Monday, Nievera flew from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to be with Pacquiao in his victory party where they both sang “Kahit Isang Saglit” a capella in front of the GMA-7 cameras.
By far, Nievera’s delivery was the best yet for a Pacquiao fight. No one comes close.
Nievera said a few weeks before the fight, he heard a rumor that Lea Salonga had volunteered to sing the anthem and she would do the honors instead.
“Manny asked me to sing the anthem two months before but I told him if he wanted to ask somebody else to do it, I would back off and even assist whoever would sing in any way I could,” said Nievera. “But Manny phoned and told me I was his choice and that was that. I was even willing to do a duet if somebody else wanted to sing. I didn’t want to be a problem for anyone.”
Nievera said in the ring, that all he wanted to do was to show his pride as a Filipino. His earpiece and belt showed the Philippine flag. He wore a Francis Magalona-designed “Three Stars and a Sun” shirt. Even his idol, Welsh star Tom Jones who sang “God Save The Queen,” shook Nievera’s hand as if to say a good job. Before Jones’ turn came, he blew on a key pipe to make sure he was in tune – he was that nervous.
Instead of castigating Nievera, he should be commended for rallying all Filipinos behind the flag in an inspiring display of unity. The “Pambansang Awit” isn’t a funeral song. It’s a marching anthem that’s supposed to instill pride in every Filipino’s heart. I think Nievera achieved that purpose.
To put the controversy in perspective, Nievera sent this text yesterday:
“I can’t apologize for giving my all for my country. I can say the word ‘sorry’ but it would not mean the same thing. It would mean a hundred different things but it would not mean what ‘sorry’ means. But I can say it if it means to make things better.
“Even if the money value is not ridiculously steep to stay out of jail, I feel I owe the generations of artists that follow me their right to sing a song their song the way they feel it should be sung in order to move and inspire even if it means a little jail time. I mean if someone they call concert king can compromise then what will the future hold for tomorrow’s concert kings and queens?
http://www.philstar.com/sports/464762/why-fuss-martin, www.philstar.com/entertainment/623958/zyrenes-take-lupang-hinirang
