Laoag City (20 May) — Is it just our propensity to find fault or our repudiation of anything that is good about Filipinos?
The recent Manny Pacquiao boxing victory should have been a perfect national celebration were it not for the noise created by designated national anthem singer Martin Nievera. Like in previous Pacquaio fights, a great interest is generated by whoever is picked to sing the anthem. And rightfully so, because the anthem-singers provide boxers the pace and the symbolic gesture that they are fighting not just for themselves but for their country.
As an artist, Nievera could not help but make his interpretation of the anthem. And it would be impossible for anyone to sing the anthem perfectly in accordance with the musical arrangement of Julian Felipe. If this was the intention of the law or Republic Act 8491, then for the law’s sake, just play the recorded standard version of the anthem so no one will violate it.
Strangely, the only people who get excited about anthem-singing are Filipinos. Have we heard or read about other countries making a fuss about how their artists sang their own? And come on, if the NHI or any other interested parties would really want to encourage Filipinos to sing the anthem as the law mandates, they should start them young. We could make a random anthem-singing in the neighbourhood this moment, and we bet no one can belt the words perfectly.
We can not be puritanical about the law on national anthem. As a legal principle, there is wisdom in the maxim that says “the law must be interpreted not by the letter that killeth but by the spirit that giveth life.” One may sing the anthem in various style and form but the essence of a song is in the genuineness of the singing.
To say the least, Nievera does not deserve the public rebuke or more specifically, the censure heaped by the National Historical Institute. Nievera’s rendition of the anthem, in fact, may have helped lift up the Pacman’s spirit causing him to knock out Ricky Hatton on second round.
Meanwhile, we can all collectively show our love of country and respect for the national anthem as we observe National Flag Day on May 28. A campaign to respect the Flag Day will start on May 25 to drum up support from the public. We may not sing our national hymn perfectly but we can show our respect for the sanctity of the flag in collectively saluting it. (PIA) [top]
