After that short and spectacular boxing bout between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, there’s a bit of sparring between the NHI and Martin Nievera (who sang the Philippine National Anthem before the Pacquiao-Hatton fight).
The NHI wants Nievera to apologize for singing the Lupang Hinirang differently, because it was in violation of Republic Act 8491. Section 37 states:
The rendition of the national anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.
Since the arrangement was modified and Nievera sang it, well…
Anyway, Martin Nievera refuses to apologize because he feels he did not do anything wrong. I did not like the way he sang the Lupang Hinirang (mainly because of the last note), but then that’s just me. I’m not demanding any apologies. Neither am I a lawyer, so I’ll just leave the legal tussle to other people.
This is the version that I prefer…
At any rate, congratulations to Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao for his stunning TKO victory over Ricky Hatton.
Here are Tom Jones, Jasmine Villegas, and Martin Nievera singing national anthems:
