Asia’s Songbird and SOP host Regine Velasquez clarified she will not be performing the Lupang Hinirang in the Pacquiao–Solis boxing match this Sunday, April 15.
“It is not true. I won’t be singing in the Many Pacquiao–Jorge Solis bout,” the Songbird told the Manila Bulletin Wednesday afternoon at the all–star shoot of GMA’s new Kapuso Station ID.
Regine said she has gotten used to “being assumed that I will be the one to sing each time Manny has a fight.” Then she joked, “But it’s better than ang maging tsismis is ako na ang kalaban ni Manny. Ang panget nun!”
Reports have it that it was Pacquiao himself who requested for Regine to sing “Lupang Hinirang” but it turned out, the singer’s schedule was against it. “I am doing ‘Pinoy Pop Superstar’ live so I really could not possibly sing there. But I don’t mind at all. It’s just the schedule.”
Regine has, in fact, performed the National Anthem in a previous Pacquiao match. “It’s not like I have not done it, kumanta na ako before sa isang laban ni Manny,” she disclosed.
She also revealed that the issue came out when an alleged GMA insider confirmed to the media that she will be the one to sing on Sunday. “Apparently, the media got the information daw from someone from GMA na ako ang kakanta. Hindi talaga ‘yun totoo kasi we declined the offer, according to my manager. I just wanted it cleared out. Baka people would expect that I’ll be there tapos baka kung ano pa yung maglabasan.”
What is true is GMA’s new, cast of hundreds Station ID, which Regine will sing along with Jaya, Janno Gibbs and Ogie Alcasid. “I am very excited to do this because it’s the first time I’ll be singing the GMA theme with my friends. It’s also a very touching theme about the struggles of Filipinos and the triumphs we all eventually achieve.”
The new GMA Station ID will premiere on national TV on Sunday prior to the Pacquiao–Solis match, which will start at 10 a.m.
