Don?t take lightly the lawmakers? threat to summon singer Martin Nievera to a congressional probe ?in aid of legislation.? Some congressmen wish to know if the law on the National Anthem is cast in iron as to prohibit any deviation or if a singer designated to perform the song has elbowroom to interpret it his way, in the name of artistic freedom.
Nievera took the second argument to defend his offbeat rendition of ?Lupang Hinirang? in the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas last week. His critics said he violated Republic Act 8491, the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, which says that the ?rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.? The anthem is a march.
We could imagine the Senate calling such an inquiry and inviting Nievera as principal witness. For this purpose, the Senate organizes itself into a Committee of the Whole because everyone wishes to take part. Nievera is a popular entertainer and TV will bring the hearing to thousands of living rooms.
After administrating the oath, presiding officer Sen. Loren Legarda asks Nievera about the length of ?Lupang Hinirang.? After consulting his lawyer, the singer replies that according to the law, the anthem is sung in 60 seconds or less, which he did in Las Vegas. ?Oh, you mean the anthem is equivalent to six ?Happy Birthday? songs,? she observes. At an earlier hearing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd told the Senate it takes two Happy Birthdays to wash one?s hands to avoid getting the H1N1 virus. ?It takes that long?? Legarda asked, who promptly sang the birthday song. Nievera is confused with the senator?s question, consults his lawyer and invokes his right to remain silent.
?Why did you sing the anthem in a different manner at the fight?? asks Sen. Mar Roxas, another presidentiable.
Nievera replies he was exercising artistic license, to interpret the song the best way an artist could. I did it for the country, he explains.
?This is the point,? says Sen. Manny Villar, who returned to Manila to join the probe, ?The National Anthem is a participatory song. When it is sung by a lead singer, everyone in the audience sings with him. Isn?t that right, Mr. Nievera??
?Yes, your honor,? the singer agrees.
?If that is the case,? interjects Sen. Ping Lacson, ?how would you expect the audience to follow the lead singer, to sing the anthem the way you sang it? Sa una madali, pero sa huli, hihingalin sila.?
The singer says this is true but there was no audience participation in Las Vegas.
Senator Roxas says this is ?beside the point.? Also, many Filipinos at ringside sang with Nievera but got lost along the way.
The senators start discussing what ought to be done in the light of the Las Vegas experience. Must R.A. 8491 be defended to the last letter, or should it be amended to allow freedom of expression?
Senator Legarda announces she is filing an amendment to stop celebrities from singing the anthem at public events. It?s the professionals who spoil the song, recalling how American and Filipino celebrities have taken liberties with their National Anthems. Give the honor of singing the song to non-celebrities who could sing, she suggests. Most senators agree.
Senator Villar suggests a crash course for lead singers on the arrangement and lyrics. Performers who improvise must face the music.
At the end of the hearing, the senators lined up for Nievera?s autograph and to have their pictures taken with him.
