EDITORYAL - Kulang sa aksiyon ang National Historical Inst.

Ngayon lang ngumangawa ang National His­torical Institute (NHI). Kung hindi pa binatikos nang binatikos ang maling tiyempo ng pagkaka-awit ni Martin Nievera sa “Lupang Hinirang” noong Linggo sa laban ni people’s champ Manny Pacquiao, hindi pa sila lalabas sa kanilang lungga at nganga­wa. Mali nga raw ang pagkakaawit ni Nievera sa “Lupang Hinirang”. Mabilis daw dapat ang tiyempo ng awit at hindi katulad ng ginawa ni Nievera na mabagal at sa dakong huli ay bumirit. Labag daw sa Republic Act No. 8491 o ang 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines ang rendition ni Nievera. Dapat daw ay mabilis o sa marching tone na talaga namang orihinal na ginawa ng kompositor na si Julian Felipe noong 1898.

Nakapagtataka lamang kung bakit ngayon la­mang pumiyok ang NHI gayung marami na ring nagkamaling singer habang inaawit ang “Lupang Hinirang” sa laban ni Pacquiao. May ilang singer din na binago ang rendition ng Pambansang Awit pero wala namang pagpiyok na ginawa ang NHI. Meron pa ngang singer na hindi alam ang kasunod ng linya ng awit. Halatang-halata ang pagkakamali. Ang masasabing maganda at tamang pagkakaawit ng “Lupang Hinirang” ay nang gawin ito ni Karylle noong Dec. 7, 2008 na laban ni Pacquiao at De La Hoya. Tamang-tama at suwabe ang tiyempo kaya naman nakasabay sa pagkanta ang mga Pinoy na nanood sa laban. Nang kantahin ni Nievera ang “Lupang Hinirang” wala ni isa mang nakasabay sapag­kat nagbago ang tiyempo.

Ang pagkakamali ni Nievera sa pag-awit ng “Lupang Hinirang’’ nagdulot sa kanya nang maraming problema sapagkat sabi ng mga mambabatas, balak nilang kasuhan ang singer. Isa raw itong pambabastos. Pero kung masyadong mabagsik ang mga mambabatas kay Nievera, dapat din namang magpakita sila ng kabagsikan sa mga taga-NHI na walang ginagawa para maproteksiyunan ang Pambansang Awit sa mga bumabastos dito. Hindi lamang ang “Lupang Hinirang” ang nasasalaula kun­di pati na rin ang watawat na kahit gula-gulanit na ay hinahayaan pa ring nakawagayway. Ang NHI sa palagay namin ang dapat kastiguhin dito sapag­kat sila ang nagkulang sa aksiyon.

Can't sing anthem? Pacman will do it

Next time around, Manny Pacquiao might just sing it himself.

Amid the hullabaloo stirred by what many consider an improper rendition of the national anthem by Martin Nievera before the Pacquiao-Hatton bout last May 3, the Filipino boxing idol said he is willing to sing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” in his next fight.

“Pwede naman siguro ‘yun (That’s possible) next time… next fight,” a beaming Pacquiao said.

The different versions of the national anthem sung in every Pacquiao bout have drawn varying degrees of post-fight criticism.

Pacquiao has music albums as well as an acting contract with GMA-7. His first album includes hits like “Para Sa’yo Ang Laban na ‘to” and “Pac-Man Punch.” His recent release was a “fight song” called “Lahing Pinoy.”

The people’s champ defended Nievera, saying critics should not have singled him out.

“Yung mga nagpupuna dyan naman mga sumasakay lang eh, mga KSP ba… mga kulang sa pansin (Those critics are just jumping on the bandwagon. They just want attention),” Pacquiao said.

The National Historical Institute (NHI), the Cebu provincial board as well as some lawmakers have criticized Nievera’s interpretation of the national anthem.

The provincial board of Cebu reportedly passed a resolution condemning Nievera’s version of the Lupang Hinirang, claiming he violated Republic Act 8491, or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, by allegedly “murdering” the national anthem.

Nievera has refused to apologize “for something I’m not sorry for.”

Other Filipino music artists like Charice Pempengco have expressed willingness to sing the national anthem in the next match of Pacquiao, possibly in October, against Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Juan Manuel Marquez.

The NHI meanwhile sought the help of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in determining if there are grounds for the filing of charges against Nievera.

“We have already given the letter to them to hear their recommendations,” said NHI’s Teddy Atienza at the No Holds Barred forum at the National Press Club.

“Personally, I saw the intention to change or alter the law. We believe that there is evidence such as the statement of Ryan Cayabyab,” he said. Cayabyab had reportedly warned Nievera against changing the melody of the national anthem.

The NHI also pointed out that Nievera was wearing a Philippine flag-like earpiece which had the wrong color arrangement. NHI said the left side of the flag should be blue, while the red should be on the right side of the earpiece.

“My idea is that it would be better if we apply persuasion rather than punishment,” said Bayan Muna’s Rep. Teddy Casiño.

“Schools must make sure that their students memorize by heart our national anthem and that they know how to sing it properly,” Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said. With Rainier Allan Ronda and Evelyn Macairan

http://www.philstar.com/news-feature/465418/cant-sing-anthem-pacman-will-do-it

Can't sing anthem? Pacman will do it

Next time around, Manny Pacquiao might just sing it himself.

Amid the hullabaloo stirred by what many consider an improper rendition of the national anthem by Martin Nievera before the Pacquiao-Hatton bout last May 3, the Filipino boxing idol said he is willing to sing the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” in his next fight.

“Pwede naman siguro ‘yun (That’s possible) next time… next fight,” a beaming Pacquiao said.

The different versions of the national anthem sung in every Pacquiao bout have drawn varying degrees of post-fight criticism.

Pacquiao has music albums as well as an acting contract with GMA-7. His first album includes hits like “Para Sa’yo Ang Laban na ‘to” and “Pac-Man Punch.” His recent release was a “fight song” called “Lahing Pinoy.”

The people’s champ defended Nievera, saying critics should not have singled him out.

“Yung mga nagpupuna dyan naman mga sumasakay lang eh, mga KSP ba… mga kulang sa pansin (Those critics are just jumping on the bandwagon. They just want attention),” Pacquiao said.

The National Historical Institute (NHI), the Cebu provincial board as well as some lawmakers have criticized Nievera’s interpretation of the national anthem.

The provincial board of Cebu reportedly passed a resolution condemning Nievera’s version of the Lupang Hinirang, claiming he violated Republic Act 8491, or the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, by allegedly “murdering” the national anthem.

Nievera has refused to apologize “for something I’m not sorry for.”

Other Filipino music artists like Charice Pempengco have expressed willingness to sing the national anthem in the next match of Pacquiao, possibly in October, against Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Juan Manuel Marquez.

The NHI meanwhile sought the help of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in determining if there are grounds for the filing of charges against Nievera.

“We have already given the letter to them to hear their recommendations,” said NHI’s Teddy Atienza at the No Holds Barred forum at the National Press Club.

“Personally, I saw the intention to change or alter the law. We believe that there is evidence such as the statement of Ryan Cayabyab,” he said. Cayabyab had reportedly warned Nievera against changing the melody of the national anthem.

The NHI also pointed out that Nievera was wearing a Philippine flag-like earpiece which had the wrong color arrangement. NHI said the left side of the flag should be blue, while the red should be on the right side of the earpiece.

“My idea is that it would be better if we apply persuasion rather than punishment,” said Bayan Muna’s Rep. Teddy Casiño.

“Schools must make sure that their students memorize by heart our national anthem and that they know how to sing it properly,” Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said. With Rainier Allan Ronda and Evelyn Macairan