the proper way to sing the national anthem is...complicated!

I can’t understand what’s the fuss all about. So Martin Nievera sang the national anthem in the recent Pacquiao vs Hatton fight, which is one of the greatest boxing matches of all time, and that includes Thrilla in Manila and Rumble in the Jungle. Anyway, before I get sidetracked. Where was I? Ok, Martin Nievera.

So our dear friend Martin, Philippines’ Concert King, gave his rendition of the song Lupang Hinirang before the millions (billions?) of people watching the fight. I don’t know about you but for me, not a big deal I thought. After all, I was watching a boxing match, not a concert. So no offense to Martin, but my attention is not really focused on him but on the guy with the gloves.

Anyway, the fight went great and it ended gloriously for the East (Battle of East and West). Not a week passed by and here comes the guardians of national anthem criticizing Martin for the wrong rendition of Lupang Hinirang.

Some quarters say Martin sang the first stanza softly and slowly, then sang the last line with prolonged, high notes. This is wrong, they say. In the past, other artists / singers such as Sarah Geronimo, Kyla, Lani Misalucha and Bituin Escalante who also sang the National Anthem in different international events were also criticized for singing it incorrectly. I don’t know, maybe due to high notes, low notes thing as well.

Am I missing something? Is it just me or these people give off an impression that singing the national anthem is a complicated matter therefore should only be done by “experts.” We are making way too big a deal out of this thing that the moment we show glory to the world (through Pacman’s victory) we snatch it back by criticizing one of our own. The song was fine. Maybe not sang in the exact same way that Julian Felipe (Lupang Hinirang composer) would have wanted it but so do the millions of elementary kids all over the country who sing it every morning in their school grounds. If anything, singing the national anthem should be encouraged, not criticized.

Now, if you forget the lyrics, that’s another matter. Christian Bautista, maybe we should talk.

7 not-so-dumb reasons why manny pacquiao should avoid politics

As with millions (billions?) who witnessed the fight between the Hitman and the Pacman billed as “The Battle of East and West” last 2 May 2009, I was both thrilled and ecstatic when Manny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton on the 2nd round of their fight. The fight was so action-packed I delayed my breakfast (something I NEVER do) until the fight, yes, including the commentaries and replays, is completely over. Even then, we still conducted our own analysis at home so breakfast turned into a late lunch that day.

So, Manny Pacquiao is this generation’s greatest boxer, if not sportsman. He’s an inspiration to many and I don’t only mean Filipinos. Just less than a week after his victory, I read that he’s forming his own political party. What?! Run for politics? But why?

Of course, Manny is free to do whatever he pleases but in a remote possibility that Pacman or one of his advisers are reading this blog, here are the 7 not-so-dumb reasons why politics is not a good idea.

1. Politics will destroy your image. By its very nature, politics is an adversarial process. No matter how good your intentions are, opposition will always be a part of the equation. It’s role? To destroy your hard-earned reputation so they can score political points.
2.  No one is good at everything. You’re good, actually, great in boxing. Spare the politics to someone else.
3.  You cannot, must not lose one more time. With a previous defeat in politics, you cannot, must not lose one more time. Not that you will, but politics is a very unpredictable game. Having a “winner” reputation, a loss, even if it’s political, will not be good for your morale.
4. You forfeit the chance to be a living hero. With your outstanding successes, you are already considered a hero, a living one at that. Let’s just keep it that way, shall we?
5. People look up on Manny Pacquiao and look down on politicians. This is obvious.
6. You’re already a part of history. Don’t opt-out. Only a few people get to be remembered for heroic things they’ve done. As such, they become a part of history. I think it’s safe to say that you’re already a part of it. Please don’t opt-out by entering politics.
7. You can help your country just by being you. Just by being Manny Pacquiao and letting the world know that you’re from the Philippines makes us all mighty proud already. We are eternally grateful to you because of that.