The mother of international singing sensation Charice has criticized the National Historical Institute (NHI) for dragging the name of her daughter into the issue of proper rendition of “Lupang Hinirang.”

“Kasi kung tutuusin, hindi naman sa sinisilip ko, pero mas madami ang kumanta ng mas palpak. Hindi naman palpak si Charice. Ang ginawa niya lang ay tinaasan niya lang at saka bumagal ng konti pero wala siyang palpak doon sa kinanta niya unlike doon sa kumanta na pumiyok pa,”  Racquel Pempengco said.

Charice, dubbed as the “most talented girl in the world” by popular US television host Oprah Winfrey, sang the country’s national anthem during the “Myx Mo” concert last year.

Following her performance, the pint-sized singer received an e-mail from the NHI reprimanding her purportedly because her singing of “Lupang Hinirang” was incorrect. 

Charice said she replied and apologized to the NHI.

“Hindi naman sila sumagot so nakalimutan ko naman ‘yon… Naiintindihan ko naman po sila kasi iba po ang Pilipinas  sa States. Sa States po kasi kahit pataasin mo ‘yan, okay lang ‘yan. Naiintindihan ko sila kasi dito parang very nationalistic ang pagkanta ng ‘Lupang Hinirang,’” Charice said.

For “Mommy Racquel,” however, her daughter should not be blamed for the incident, saying the singer was merely following the arrangement done by the organizers of the event.

“Depende kasi ‘yon sa  nago-organize. Tinatanong kasi muna namin kung paano ang pagkanta. ‘Ano po ba ang kakantahin?’ [Ang sagot sa amin] ng organizers. ‘yong katulad ng kinanta mo doon sa boxing sa Araneta.’ Ganoon din ‘yong kinanta. Sumusunod lang siya,” the mother said.

She also lamented that it seemed like the NHI had singled out her daughter. 

“Bakit ‘yong [pumiyok] hindi nila nabigyan ng notice at hindi nila in-announce [na mali ang pagkanta]? Pero si Charice ina-announce nila at si Christian Bautista,” the mother said.

The proper way of singing “Lupang Hinirang” recently became a big issue following the "incorrect" rendition of the national anthem by Concert King Martin Nievera during the May 2 fight of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

NHI disclosed that it also called the attention of Charice, Bautista and Jennifer Bautista to the supposed incorrect rendition of the national anthem.

According to Section 37 of Republic Act 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.