Concert King Martin Nievera is prepared to apologize for the alleged wrong rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” during the May 2 fight of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"If I have to do it I will do it. I have to do what is right but I don't want to say sorry for something I'm not sorry for. But, if I have to, I will do it," Nievera told radio dzMM.
The crooner drew flak from the National Historical Institute (NHI) as well as the provincial board of Cebu for his upbeat rendition of the country's national anthem.
The NHI complained that Nievera sang the first part of Lupang Hinirang too slow. The institution also scored Nievera for belting out the last part of the national anthem.
“Dapat simula sa simula hanggang katapusan dapat martsa siya,” Teddy Atienza, chief of NHI’s Heraldry Section, said in an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
Atienza also clarified that it did not approve the showing of its logo onscreen, which was flashed on local televisions right after Nievera sang Lupang Hinirang before the main event of the “Battle of East and West” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The provincial board of Cebu, on the other hand, even passed a resolution on Monday condemning Nievera's version of Lupang Hinirang. The board said Nievera violated Republic Act (RA) 8491, or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, by "murdering" the national anthem.
According to Section 37 of 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 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; 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 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."
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.”
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.
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.
It's not flag ceremony
Nievera admitted that he changed the musical arrangement of "Lupang Hinirang" for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. He said, since it would be heard with the British and American anthems, he wanted his rendition to be “as beautiful as possible” and “to inspire Filipinos all over the world.”
"Pacquiao fight ito, hindi naman flag ceremony," the singer said.
The concert king also cited his “freedom of interpretation.”
"Sa recording world, mayroon kaming, I guess, freedom of speech, freedom of singing, freedom of delivery, freedom of interpretation. Kung makikinig ka ulit sa ginawa ko, hindi naman ako masyadong fancy, hindi ko ginawang R n’ B, hindi ko binastos ang lyrics," Nievara said.
Nievera said he was also told by the Pacquiao team as well as some politicians not to sing it slowly.
He added that he was not aware that he would violate a law if he sang the national anthem differently.
"I didn't forget the word, tama naman. Sa e-mail nga may nagpra-praise pati sa diction ko. Alam mo naman ang Tagalog ko ay baluktot,” he said.
'Amend the law'
NHI’s Atienza said that a case could be filed against Nievera.
“Kay Nievera, pinag-aaralan namin, kinukumpleto pa namin ang ebidensiya at sana naman mapag-usapan ito nang maayos,” said Atienza. “Sana nga mapag-usapan nga ito gaya n’ong mga ibang kumanta na nabago rin ‘yong anthem na pinag-usapan lang.”
Atienza was referring to singers Christian Bautista, Jennifer Bautista and Charice who was reprimanded for the wrong rendition of Lupang Hinirang.
“Magandang panahon ulit ito para ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na dapat hindi mabago ang ating national anthem. Parang ang nangyari kulang na kulang pa rin kami sa impormasyon na ibinibigay sa mamamayan natin,” he added.
Meanwhile, AKBAYAN Rep. Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel called for the amendment of RA 8491. She said that “artistic” rendition of Lupang Hinirang should be allowed as long as it stirs nationalism and pride.
“We can ensure the integrity and reverential treatment of the national anthem by maintaining the melody, but the arrangement, cadence and rhythm can be altered to suit the occasion or the public mood," she said.
In defense of Nievera's performance, she described his rendition as “very artistic and was not in any way disrespectful of our national dignity."
"If I have to do it I will do it. I have to do what is right but I don't want to say sorry for something I'm not sorry for. But, if I have to, I will do it," Nievera told radio dzMM.
The crooner drew flak from the National Historical Institute (NHI) as well as the provincial board of Cebu for his upbeat rendition of the country's national anthem.
The NHI complained that Nievera sang the first part of Lupang Hinirang too slow. The institution also scored Nievera for belting out the last part of the national anthem.
“Dapat simula sa simula hanggang katapusan dapat martsa siya,” Teddy Atienza, chief of NHI’s Heraldry Section, said in an interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda.”
Atienza also clarified that it did not approve the showing of its logo onscreen, which was flashed on local televisions right after Nievera sang Lupang Hinirang before the main event of the “Battle of East and West” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The provincial board of Cebu, on the other hand, even passed a resolution on Monday condemning Nievera's version of Lupang Hinirang. The board said Nievera violated Republic Act (RA) 8491, or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, by "murdering" the national anthem.
According to Section 37 of 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 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; 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 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."
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.”
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.
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.
It's not flag ceremony
Nievera admitted that he changed the musical arrangement of "Lupang Hinirang" for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. He said, since it would be heard with the British and American anthems, he wanted his rendition to be “as beautiful as possible” and “to inspire Filipinos all over the world.”
"Pacquiao fight ito, hindi naman flag ceremony," the singer said.
The concert king also cited his “freedom of interpretation.”
"Sa recording world, mayroon kaming, I guess, freedom of speech, freedom of singing, freedom of delivery, freedom of interpretation. Kung makikinig ka ulit sa ginawa ko, hindi naman ako masyadong fancy, hindi ko ginawang R n’ B, hindi ko binastos ang lyrics," Nievara said.
Nievera said he was also told by the Pacquiao team as well as some politicians not to sing it slowly.
He added that he was not aware that he would violate a law if he sang the national anthem differently.
"I didn't forget the word, tama naman. Sa e-mail nga may nagpra-praise pati sa diction ko. Alam mo naman ang Tagalog ko ay baluktot,” he said.
'Amend the law'
NHI’s Atienza said that a case could be filed against Nievera.
“Kay Nievera, pinag-aaralan namin, kinukumpleto pa namin ang ebidensiya at sana naman mapag-usapan ito nang maayos,” said Atienza. “Sana nga mapag-usapan nga ito gaya n’ong mga ibang kumanta na nabago rin ‘yong anthem na pinag-usapan lang.”
Atienza was referring to singers Christian Bautista, Jennifer Bautista and Charice who was reprimanded for the wrong rendition of Lupang Hinirang.
“Magandang panahon ulit ito para ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan na dapat hindi mabago ang ating national anthem. Parang ang nangyari kulang na kulang pa rin kami sa impormasyon na ibinibigay sa mamamayan natin,” he added.
Meanwhile, AKBAYAN Rep. Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel called for the amendment of RA 8491. She said that “artistic” rendition of Lupang Hinirang should be allowed as long as it stirs nationalism and pride.
“We can ensure the integrity and reverential treatment of the national anthem by maintaining the melody, but the arrangement, cadence and rhythm can be altered to suit the occasion or the public mood," she said.
In defense of Nievera's performance, she described his rendition as “very artistic and was not in any way disrespectful of our national dignity."
