Martin Nievera prepared to say sorry
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/05/2009 2:15 PM
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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.
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."
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.
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."
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