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Martin says sorry to people 'afraid of change'


I'M SORRY. Singer Martin Nievera says sorry to the people who disliked his version of Lupang Hinirang, which he sang at Manny Pacquiao's bout in the US. PEP and AP
MANILA, Philippines – A miffed Martin Nievera on Wednesday finally said sorry to those who disapproved of his rendition of the Lupang Hinirang during the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas last Sunday. While maintaining that he gave his best shot in singing the Philippine national anthem, Nievera told GMANews.TV that he was issuing an apology in view of criticisms from the National Historical Institute (NHI) and a threat by a congressman from Cavite to file criminal charges against him for violation of Republic Act 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. “I do apologize only to the people afraid of progress and change, of course, the lawmakers and to whomever took offense to my interpretation of probably the most beautiful song I’ve ever come across," Nievera said in a text message. The NHI, the government agency tasked to ensure that national symbols are given the reverence and respect they deserve, said Nievera should not have slowed down the song’s opening and ending. The NHI added the singer should have sung the entire song in accordance with composer Julian Felipe’s “march-type" tempo. Nievera maintained that his version only stayed true to the “march" pace of the anthem, saying, “because I think one must walk before he marches and then I get straight into that march feel everyone keeps telling me about." “[But] I will not apologize for giving my all just to sing that song in front of the world," said the singer, who was personally handpicked by Pacquiao to sing the anthem. Universal language After being approached by Pacquiao’s camp three months ago, Nievera tapped the genius of his record producer Chito Ilgan and musical arranger Bobby Velasco to come up with an “almost ethnic-inspired" version of Lupang Hinirang. Nievera said he had a specific purpose for affecting slight changes to the tempo and structure of the song. “It was then my plan to make my moment of honor not about myself or anything showbiz. Instead I wanted to stand center ring as nothing else but a proud Filipino singing his anthem wanting every word to reach not just the cheap seats at the very top of the arena but heard, felt and understood even in the non-Tagalog, speaking countries all over the world," he said. Of the three national anthems sung on the night of Pacquiao’s historic victory over British Ricky Hatton, two were in English: United Kingdom’s “God Save The Queen" by Tom Jones and the United States’ “Star Spangled Banner" by Jasmine Villegas. Nievera figured that since music is considered a “universal language," he would use the opportunity to get across the message of a Filipino song to foreigners who didn’t understand the language. “I could have just gone thru the motions of singing it and getting it over, but no. I wanted to represent and communicate," Nievera said. It’s constitutional Not everyone objected to Nievera’s rendition. Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the singer’s performance was artistic and not a disrespect of national dignity. Hontiveros and Bayan Muna party-list Teodoro Casiño thus suggested that the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines be reviewed and relaxed. Amendments to the law should be made so that singers interpreting the anthem differently without desecrating it will not be penalized, the legislators argued. University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque rushed to Nievera’s side and said Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga could not criminally charge the singer because the latter’s performance was done abroad. Roque said local courts will be unable to entertain any charges stemming from the performance because it was done in a place not under their jurisdiction. Besides, Nievera can choose to invoke his artistic license or the right to freedom of expression, Roque added. Any act curtailing a protected right like the freedom of expression should be deemed unconstitutional, the lawyer said, as he assailed the Flag law. For the people who took delight in his rendition, Nievera left this message: “To everyone else, God bless your open mind and open heart. [I am] still a proud Filipino." Pacquiao himself said he did not regret choosing Nievera to sing the anthem, saying the latter sang it “beautifully." “Okay naman. Ang ganda nga ng pagkakanta niya. Ang taas na boses niya. Hayaan na natin iyon [His performance was okay. He sang it beautifully and with a soaring voice. Let’s leave it at that.]," Pacquiao said. Highlight of highlights In an earlier e-mail to GMANews.TV, Nievera said he considered singing before Pacquiao’s match as one of the greatest milestones of his career because he sang not only for millions of people across the globe but especially for the country and his countrymen. “It was the highlight of my career, because all my life as a singer in almost every concert I have done in the last 26 years all I keep preaching is to love your country; to make your country proud," said Nievera. “I felt I too was in a fight for my country and that is what made it the highlight of highlights in my life so far," he added. Nievera said the victory of Pacquiao had shattered criticisms that having a male performer sing the anthem during the boxing champion’s fight would spell bad luck. "Some ‘stupid-stitious’ were calling me a jinx or malas of Manny… but now the curse, if there ever was one, was broken when Hatton fell," Nievera said. The singer – estranged from long-time wife Pops Fernandez – took pride in the fact that “the door has now been opened" for other male singers to be accorded the same honor given to him by Pacquiao.– GMANews.TV
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