Do you see anything wrong with the way crooner Martin Nievera sang the national anthem in the Pacquiao-Hatton fight?

None at all. Martin sang the song as best he could for the world to hear. We should be proud of him.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Martin Nievera wanted to steal some thunder from the show; hence, the deliberate deviation from the original tempo of the national anthem. He wanted some attention.

Singers have their own interpretation

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I don’t blame Martin Nievera for singing the national anthem they way he did. Singers have a way of interpreting their songs when performing. It’s all over now, so what’s the fuss? What should have been done was for him to have been given him the guidelines on singing the national anthem. Martin had no more time to research. For him, as long as the lyrics were complete, comprehensible and sung from his heart, that must’ve been enough.

Ronali dela Cruz, Metro Manila: I don’t see anything wrong. It was Nievera’s artistic way of interpreting the national anthem. He sang Lupang Hinirang the best way he could.

Merlino Quinsay, Ilocos Sur: Martin showed us how versatile Lupang Hinirang is as a musical piece. I don’t understand the furor.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: The National Historical Institute is being bossy and arrogant; Martin’s take on Lupang Hinirang was okay. Singers are artists; they’re allowed to interpret songs.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: There was nothing wrong, because it was his own personal singing style.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Singing is an art and the beauty in it depends on how the artist expresses his talent, soul and emotion in a song. Why quarrel over a trivial thing?

No law on the national anthem?

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: I don’t believe that Martin Nievera sang our national anthem the wrong way. First of all, he was born in the US, but raised here, making him a Fil-Am. It’s natural to speak and sing the way he does. Finally, there is no law stipulating the right way to sing Lupang Hinirang.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I think Martin’s version was done quite innocently. He did not know that there was a prescribed, lawful way of singing the Philippine national anthem. This does not excuse him, though.

A violation of the law

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: The way Nievera sang the national anthem was a total deviation from the original composition. He is liable under RA 8491.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: The Pambansang Awit is a national treasure and part of our heritage. The lyrics, beat and melody should be strictly followed during its singing. The proper way of singing it was taught in our elementary days. Now, if any form of modification and alteration is to be applied, the artist should consult the NHI for approval. A visit to the NHI would set Martin free from any form of judgment! Next time, he should sing our national anthem with pride and dignity, not with emotions and style.

Rey Ibalan, Las Piñas City: The anthem was sung conservatively by Martin. He did it in his unique style. However, a law is a law, and we need to abide by it!

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: I admire the way Martin sang it with feelings, but if the rule says he erred, then he must offer an apology and I hope the law will not be too harsh on the singer.

Freedom of expression

Leonard Villa, Batac City: None at all. Martin Nievera used his own style in singing our national anthem. He only exercised his freedom of expression as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. 

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Admittedly, Martin sang the Lupang Hinirang not according to the marching tempo of the song, or at least not entirely. But, he followed the verses faithfully and did not defile them. He sang it his way with fervor and gusto. Consider that artistic license and freedom of speech. This is not the first time the NHI sanctioned a singer for the way the national anthem was sung. The NHI will be shocked if it hears how The Star- Spangled Banner has been interpreted by different American artists. It should give artists some latitude so it won’t constrict their style. One other thing, Martin sang the anthem in Nevada, where our laws have no jurisdiction.

Martin did an excellent job

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: I see nothing wrong in the way Martin Nievera sang the anthem. I saw and heard it and it was hair-raising and made one feel proud to be a Filipino.

Anna Aclan, Makati City: No. For me, one of the reasons why we sing the national anthem is to show how proud we are to be a part of this country. It’s not only about the tune or the tempo of the anthem, but also about the lyrics and message. After hearing Martin Nievera sing Lupang Hinirang, I felt prouder to be a Filipino. Besides, he did not change the lyrics. Those people who criticize Martin Nievera should focus their attention on other people who sing the song but never understand its meaning.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: No, it’s rather the best yet delivered for a Pacquiao fight. Martin should not be castigated but instead commended for a job well done. Carry on!

Nito Aquino, Makati City: Martin’s rendition of the national anthem was the best and should be praised, not criticized. He even out sang Tom Jones. Can these critics sing better than Martin?

The NHI is just doing its job

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Martin Nievera was a wrong choice in the first place. Then, he seemingly sang another song, not the anthem the ring announcer asked him to sing. Worst of all, he and his benefactor were too arrogant to accept the correction suggested by the NHI, whose task it is to call Nievera’s attention.

Why be strict only now?

Edgar Artates, Parañaque City: If you’re going to be very strict about it, it’s wrong, of course. But the way national anthems are sung by popular singers today, you can agree with it if you want to, or just shrug your shoulders and say it should be sung correctly next time. The NHI should have been strict about it the first time it was not sung correctly. Now, the floodgate has opened.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: As expected, Martin sang it in his own version, just like singers in previous Pacman events. If there’s a law on this, why apply it only now?

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City: If the law says that Martin Nievera’s style of singing our national anthem is wrong, then he should face the consequences. But NHI, schools, local governments, DepEd, etc. should be more active in educating us on how to sing our anthem. Not only should we punish people who sing our anthem incorrectly but also those who don’t stop walking or stand up while our anthem is being played.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: None, it’s so childish for the NHI to pick on Nievera. Wala namang naperwisyo sa ginawa ni Martin. Wala lang sigurong magawa ang taga-NHI.

It’s patriotic to sing it in its original tempo

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Only the last part “ang mamatay nang dahil sa ‘yo” really matters. The singer should not choose to be wrong for the sake of being different.

Nap de Asis, Bacolod City: To show our respect and love for our country, we usually sing the Lupang Hinirang together in its original tempo. We do this even in the States.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Nievera is a fine composer-signer, but next time, I’d love to hear him sing our national anthem as it should be sung patriotically.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Our national anthem has to be sung with dignity and respect. Will somebody out there please assign the song to someone who could sing it with gusto?

Martin sang it with feelings

Hilario Erfe, Cavite: The way he sang it only had more feelings than we are used to.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Sorry to the purists who are still in shock, but I felt that Martin sang the anthem in a stirring way and with such fervor that he made it his own.

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: There was nothing wrong with the way Nievera sang it. He didn’t change the lyrics and he interpreted it the way a patriotic singer would.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Martin sang our national anthem gloriously, with serious dedication, feeling and pride. There was no disrespect in his rendition, which is the law’s intent.

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: It was a beautiful rendition. Martin is an exceptional artist and I see nothing wrong in the way he sang the national anthem. His rendition was even more patriotic.

The next singer should be briefed

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, it’s disappointing; he did not sing in the right, marching tempo. Siguro dahil balladeer siya kaya ganoon niya kinanta. Moreover, he did not comb his hair; he did not wear the right attire, which is the Barong Tagalog. He seemed to make light of the occasion.  Whoever the next singer will be in Pacman’s boxing bout, he or she should be briefed on what to do.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: There already was some criticism before on singers who sang the national anthem out of its original tone and tempo. Better set a rule first on the proper rendition of the national anthem to have the singers properly guided.

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: The way he sang his version of our national anthem can be attributed to the symbiotic feeling between the Filipino people and our artists and entertainers, along with our present crop of government leaders and politicians. Nationalistic Filipinos might feel insulted, but let’s admit that the majority of our entertainers have been unknowingly insulting the Filipino’s sensitivity and intelligence for a time now. How many of them aspire for political positions, fully knowing that they are not qualified at all? This is made worse by our present crop of government leaders who have been trashing our last thread of moral dignity and respect just to advance their ulterior evil motives or stay in power forever.

Why the fuss?

Raffy Dimalanta, Rizal: There’s nothing wrong with the way Martin Nievera sang the national anthem. Quinito ‘‘The Dean” Henson’s article last Thursday sums it all up.

J. Eduardo, Baguio City: There’s rampant dishonesty, corruption, incest and filth and we’re worried about the beat of the national anthem?

Carlito Pajaro, Metro Manila: So what’s the fuss all about? For me, Martin Nievera did a nice rendition of the national anthem during the Pacquiao fight. He sang it proudly without deletion.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: It’s not a big deal whether or not Nievera sang the anthem the wrong way. Maarte lang talaga si Martin. At least he is not a crooked government official.

P. Cruz, Quezon City: There’s nothing wrong with Martin’s rendition. It was done in good faith. Nakikisakay lang ang mga honorable congressmen para mapag-usapan.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Martin Nievera’s rendition of the national anthem was fiery enough to ignite every Pinoy’s patriotism, most of all, Pacman’s fighting spirit. It led to Pacquiao’s overwhelming victory over The Hitman. So, why are these KSP killjoys howling? Jimi Hendrix played a psychedelic rock version of The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock, walang umangal, natuwa lahat, lalo na ang mga hippies at mga “phips” na tulad namin noong 1970s.

He sang it for his own glory

Norman Villamayor, Mandaluyong City: Martin Nievera sang the Lupang Hinirang for his own glory and not our country’s. Our Lupang Hinirang is not just any song that is subject to the singer’s interpretation. If it were, anybody or any group can just sing it the way they like it, even rap it for all they care, for as long as they have the correct words.

Arlene Go, Manila: Hirap sa mga Pinoy, mahilig magpatalbugan. Pati pagkanta ng Lupang Hinirang, may kanya- kanyang version pa. Sa lahat ng kumanta ng Lupang Hinirang sa laban ni Pacquiao, tanging si Lea Salonga lang ang tumama, lahat mali ang tono. ‘Yung iba, nakalimutan pa ang lyrics.

R. Rodriguez, Quezon City: The reason past respected lawmakers probably saw the importance of creating the Flag Law was their fear of singers like Nievera, who think first and foremost of their singing prowess, ignoring and disrespecting the purity of the composer’s musical legacy. Martin can do anything with other songs, but in this case, please remember it’s the song, not the singer.

Edwin Enriquez, Metro Manila: He sang with overkill rendition. His facial expression was too theatrical. He exerted too much effort on using his style, rather than singing it the proper way.

Pacquiao liked Manny’s version

Pat Cuilan, Benguet: Manny thought Nievera sang the national anthem much better than the girls who sang the same in Pacquiao’s previous fights.

Raden Fernandez, Pangasinan: I loved the way Martin sang the national anthem. He delivered the first blow to Ricky Hatton’s face. The rendition energized Pacman.

The national anthem is not open to interpretation

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The national anthem should not be sung the way any singer wants it to be sung, or who can prevent it from being sung in the butsikik way?

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: He sang the national anthem not in the prescribed fast tempo marching style. His ballad rendition was not approved by the National Historical Institute.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Being a teacher, I know it was wrong. Why change the notes? Remember, Geneva Cruz was criticized once when she sang Lupang Hinirang. 

Rowena Remiendo, Metro Manila: I think artists like Nievera should not change the original rendition of our national anthem into their own version. 

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: We were all taught the proper way of singing our national anthem since our elementary days. Nievera sang it in a different style, not the traditional way every Filipino must sing it.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: It would not have created a stir if only Martin Nievera sang it the Julian Felipe way, as we Pinoys were taught to sing it.

Norberto Robles, Taguig: Ang bersyon ni Martin Nievera ng Lupang Hinirang ay masakit sa tainga pakinggan, maarte at masakit sa mata. He should have sung it the way it should be sung.

Glen Reyes, Quezon City: He was kind of over the top in the end. He should have just sung it the way it has always been sung because he was representing a nation, not a person.

Breaking the rules

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: Our national anthem was meant to be a marching song. In the original version, the music and the lyrics should be finished in no more than one minute. Marin Nievera, just like some of the showbiz personalities who sang in Pacquiao fights in the past, did violate the rules as he sang it in a version aping the way Americans sing their national anthem! But there are rules, which also include other things such as: 1. Everyone should stand erect, with the right hand on the left breast, whenever it is played or sung; 2. Everyone, including vehicles, should stop when the anthem is being played as in schools and in the grounds of the municipal or city halls, especially when the Philippine flag is being raised. As we saw it, Pacquiao and his team did not even mind the anthem when Nievera was singing. And, oh yes, those guys waving a Philippine flag with writings on its colored fields were desecrating the symbol of our nation! As to sanctions and penalties, I am not aware if there were any.

Elpidio Que, Vigan City: Martin Nievera made a big joke out of the song by bastardizing its tune in front of an audience of so many millions. It was just like turning the “The Lord’s Prayer” into a rock ‘n roll song. Obviously, he was eager- beaver to be seen by people all over the globe, thinking that the Filipino people would rejoice. He should be sanctioned.

Local laws apply locally

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Our national anthem was composed during the kundiman era. Its tune is not even OPM. Local laws apply locally. He did it in Las Vegas; sue him there.

Jojo Ocampo, Puerto Princesa: That’s out of our jurisdiction. We have no right to impose our rules on foreign land. As I understand it, Nievera sang the national anthem in Las Vegas, USA.

Tailored for his American audience

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Martin Nievera’s rendition is good for his American audience kasi Amboy siya. Para sa ating mga Pinoy, hindi tama ‘yung pagkanta niya ng pambansang awit.

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: NHI should just blame Pacquiao

I suspect that the 20 solons that joined the President’s entourage to Egypt and the 50 who went to Vegas to see Pacquiao fight are using the Martin Nievera issue to cover up their junkets. The NHI should just blame Pacquiao for getting Martin. They are making a mountain out of a molehill.

 Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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