Like Pacquiao, Martin Nievera hopes to make RP proud
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 04/13/2009 1:25 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
After People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao announced that Martin Nievera is singing “Lupang Hinirang” in his bout with Ricky Hatton, the concert king is already preparing as early as now for the May 2 event.
Saying that being chosen to sing the Philippine national anthem is “one of the biggest honors of my career,” Nievera told “Showbiz Central” that he hopes he, too, can make the country proud once he goes up to the ring and sings Lupang Hinirang.
The Pacquiao-Hatton fight, dubbed as “The Battle of East and West," is set on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It is expected that millions of people across the globe will watch the showdown.
For Nievera, memorizing the lyrics of the country’s national anthem is the toughest.
"Gusto ko 'yong mafi-feel ng mga tao na nanonood sa TV o 'yong mga tao sa MGM na talagang maganda ang national anthem ng Philippines," Nievera said.
Singing Lupang Hinirang in Pacquiao’s fights is a dream of many Filipino artists. World-renowned singer Lea Salonga and international young diva Charice, for instance, had expressed their desire to sing the national anthem.
Traditionally, the boxer handpicks an artist who will sing Lupang Hinirang in his fights.
