Martin Nievera’s public apology for his different and untraditional rendition of Lupang Hinirang during the recently concluded and much celebrated Manny Pacquiao – Ricky Hatton boxing fight is not necessary. Or at least, I don’t oblige the Concert King to say sorry to me about his performance.

After ABS-CBN 2 announced that Pacman knocked down Hitman just before the second round ended, I was eager to catch GMA 7 delayed broadcast as I anticipated Martin singing our national anthem believing the premier singer would not screw up. (Of course, WWE superstar Batista escorting Pacquiao also excited me.) Blame the poor streaming of television signals that it appears he’s singing out of sync with the tempo. I was only unease at his latter part of the song where the usual singers belt it to high notes. The next day, it was like that I’m wrong to pre-assume that Martin wouldn’t end up controversial like the past Philippine anthem singers Manny Pacquiao had personally chosen and requested.

We can play Simon Cowell, Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes role in bashing this idol with the singer’s flat notes. However to place legal moves against Martin Nievera is hitting him under the belt. It’s like accusing him that he stood up in front of the whole world and just played (as in laro) the national anthem. He didn’t ask for it. He was humbled that Manny selected him. He actually wanted Filipinos to be proud Pinoys through his song. I didn’t felt like Lupang Hinirang was disgraced. The worse that I wouldn’t take is when someone let’s say a telenovela superstar who only sings novelty songs is chosen to sing Lupang Hinirang.

By the way, I saw at the end credits that the grumpy National Historical Institute approved something in the segment. Is it for the rendition or for the several appearances of Philippine Airlines?

As my final verse, please stop this kind of (c)rap. It was like every Manny’s fight that uncontented spectators jab singers. Don’t let the time happens that no single Pinoy singer is even courageous and courteous enough to sing Lupang Hinirang because no matter how hard and good they try, in th end of the song, it doesn’t even matter. Ano kayang ligaya ng mga nang-aapi? Ang mawalan ng singers ng dahil sa inyo.

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