Editorial - No more frivolous singing of the anthem (cross your fingers)

Finally, a budding young Filipino artist has emerged who, by early indications, may be expected to act properly and responsibly before an international audience by not making a farce out of something as sacred as a national anthem.

 Zyrene Parsad, handpicked by Manny Pacquiao to sing the national anthem in his November fight in the United States against Mexican Antonio Margarito, was reported in the newspapers as having consulted the National Historical Institute on how to properly sing the anthem.

 This effort at prudence by a 24-year-old is admirable, especially in the wake of several desecrations of the national anthem by other singers who felt that artistic license included the right to improvise and deviate from the official arrangement of the song, thus mangling it. 

Maybe this act of prudence was triggered by the fact that the House of Representatives has already passed on third and final reading a bill imposing stiff penalties on the improper and wrongful interpretation or rendition of the national anthem.

 The bill itself was probably in response to the irresponsibility of Martin Nievera and other singers who mangled the national anthem at several international events for no other reason than they think they can get away with it because they are artists.

 It did not occur to Nievera and his kind that the national anthem is not just called a national anthem for nothing. It is so called because it is an identifying song for a nation and its people. No artistic pretense allows it to be interpreted whimsically.

 The national anthem is no different from the national flag, which is also an identifying emblem. There are standards to be observed in every aspect of their use and veneration. If these standards are broken, then of what use is there in calling them identifying songs or emblems.

 It must be impressed upon Parsad and the other singers who may get the chance to sing the national anthem in some future occasion that their artistry and genius are inherent and cannot be diminished just because they choose to sing the anthem in the way it is supposed to be sung.

 The chance to sing is honor and privilege enough. No need to tweak and embellish what needs no tweaking and embellishment. If the purpose is to show off artistic prowess, there is no dearth of other songs to do them with. But the national anthem is beautiful and sacred as it is.