International artist Lea Salonga has refused to take sides on the issue involving Martin Nievera.

Nievera has been the subject of criticisms following his “incorrect” rendition of the Philippine national anthem during the Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton bout in Las Vegas last May 2.

The National Historical Institution (NHI) even considered filing a complaint against Nievera for changing the tempo of the national anthem. It said Nievera violated a law when he sang a different version of “Lupang Hinirang.”

Amid the criticisms, Salonga said “everybody should calm down.”

“I think there's too much of a hullabaloo right now. Everybody's just got to calm down first, seriously. And I think it’s a very tough thing to comment on because as an artist I believe there should be a little leg room in which to interpret the anthem. There should be enough artistic freedom, but within the boundaries of propriety and respect,” she said, adding:

“And if the flag and the country are being honored and represented properly, then I don’t see any problem with how an artist decides to interpret it. So, on the one hand, I understand where Martin is coming from; that he wanted that last line to really be heard. But I understand those in charge of protecting the anthem are coming from because [NHI is thinking of the anthem’s] history and why it was created.”

Salonga had earlier expressed her wish to sing the Philippine national anthem at the Pacquiao-Hatton bout but lost the chance to Nievera, who was then handpicked by the Filipino boxing icon.

She was quick to clarify that it did not cause a rift between her and the country’s concert king.

When asked about previous reports that NHI favored her proper rendition of the anthem, she said, whenever she is asked to sing “Lupang Hinirang,” she always considers its historical value.

Child sponsorship

Meanwhile, Salonga was named as the new World Vision’s ambassador for child sponsorships.

"As a family, we feel that it's something worthwhile because it's not just feeding children. It didn't seem temporary. This is something more life changing and more impactful because this is about providing education to Filipino children,” she said.

Salonga and her husband are sponsoring the education of a seven-year-old girl.

According to its Web site, World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.  It aims to send 9,000 children to school this year.

As an ambassador, Salonga will grace the group’s posters, billboards and events. 

Nikki Gil and Christian Bautista are also World Vision's celebrity ambassadors.