The National Anthem Brouhaha
The country has a number of national symbols. These symbols represent the Philippines, the Filipinos and their aspirations. That is why these symbols are held in very high regard. One national symbol, however, has always been in controversial light. Because of its very nature, the national anthem – Lupang Hinirang – has been the cause of confusion, object of bewilderment and sadly, butt of a joke. When all of us were once young, we were taught in schools how to sing the national anthem. Unfortunately, only a few schools taught us how to sing it not just well but correctly. The national anthem was written with a marching tempo in the mind of Julian Felipe. Its time signature is 4/4. Through time, however, we have forgotten really how to sing the Lupang Hinirang correctly, and the newer generation does the same too.
During a boxing bout before, one celebrity singer forgot some lines when singing the Philippine national anthem. Obviously, this has caused so much stir not just in the reel world but even in schools. From then on we asked our students to sing the national anthem without accompaniment every morning during the flag ceremony. This may be less apropos but we gave it a shot though. We even asked students to give the beat and lead the singing. We have noticed that whenever students were left alone, they had the tendency to sing the anthem in a much slower tempo, not marching. What we did was to ask the one beating to do it in 2/2 time and much faster because it is supposed to be a march. Most of them said, however, that they were taught to sing it that way – incorrectly.
The most recent brouhaha regarding the singing of the national anthem was during the Pacquiao – Hatton boxing fight. Although Martin Nievera was told earlier that he must sing the national anthem the right way, he made his own arrangement and sang it the way he wanted it sung. He started slowly with the first four lines (first stanza). The rest of the song was, however, sung in a marching tempo. Not so much a problem until he reached the last stanza. He was so theatrical with crooning to his heart’s content the final lines, my mouth was left agape. When everything sank in my mind, I let out a very loud laugh. What was he trying to do? The national anthem is sung at the beginning of programs for everyone to accompany. How then would people sing with Martin when suddenly he changed the tune? Some people might have appreciated what he did, but the Philippine Historical Commission was not happy about it and even demanded for Martin to apologize.
Martin was not the first to sing the national anthem in either wrong tempo or tune. However, because he is famous, he is now asked to apologize. I think Martin need not apologize. Of all those I have heard sang the Lupang Hinirang, Martin’s version was the most correct. I don’t want Martin to apologize too. There are even more government officials out there who cannot sing the national anthem alone from start to finish. What is important is neither the tempo nor the tune. How many of us live by what the national anthem wants us to be? We are so strict of how it should be sung, but we forget what is it meant to be for us Filipinos. The song embodies the ideals of our forefathers which we are supposed to uphold today. I think what is more important is the meaning of the song to us Filipinos, not how it should be sung. However, I will appreciate more if it be sung next time correctly.
The country has a number of national symbols. These symbols represent the Philippines, the Filipinos and their aspirations. That is why these symbols are held in very high regard. One national symbol, however, has always been in controversial light. Because of its very nature, the national anthem – Lupang Hinirang – has been the cause of confusion, object of bewilderment and sadly, butt of a joke. When all of us were once young, we were taught in schools how to sing the national anthem. Unfortunately, only a few schools taught us how to sing it not just well but correctly. The national anthem was written with a marching tempo in the mind of Julian Felipe. Its time signature is 4/4. Through time, however, we have forgotten really how to sing the Lupang Hinirang correctly, and the newer generation does the same too.
During a boxing bout before, one celebrity singer forgot some lines when singing the Philippine national anthem. Obviously, this has caused so much stir not just in the reel world but even in schools. From then on we asked our students to sing the national anthem without accompaniment every morning during the flag ceremony. This may be less apropos but we gave it a shot though. We even asked students to give the beat and lead the singing. We have noticed that whenever students were left alone, they had the tendency to sing the anthem in a much slower tempo, not marching. What we did was to ask the one beating to do it in 2/2 time and much faster because it is supposed to be a march. Most of them said, however, that they were taught to sing it that way – incorrectly.
The most recent brouhaha regarding the singing of the national anthem was during the Pacquiao – Hatton boxing fight. Although Martin Nievera was told earlier that he must sing the national anthem the right way, he made his own arrangement and sang it the way he wanted it sung. He started slowly with the first four lines (first stanza). The rest of the song was, however, sung in a marching tempo. Not so much a problem until he reached the last stanza. He was so theatrical with crooning to his heart’s content the final lines, my mouth was left agape. When everything sank in my mind, I let out a very loud laugh. What was he trying to do? The national anthem is sung at the beginning of programs for everyone to accompany. How then would people sing with Martin when suddenly he changed the tune? Some people might have appreciated what he did, but the Philippine Historical Commission was not happy about it and even demanded for Martin to apologize.
Martin was not the first to sing the national anthem in either wrong tempo or tune. However, because he is famous, he is now asked to apologize. I think Martin need not apologize. Of all those I have heard sang the Lupang Hinirang, Martin’s version was the most correct. I don’t want Martin to apologize too. There are even more government officials out there who cannot sing the national anthem alone from start to finish. What is important is neither the tempo nor the tune. How many of us live by what the national anthem wants us to be? We are so strict of how it should be sung, but we forget what is it meant to be for us Filipinos. The song embodies the ideals of our forefathers which we are supposed to uphold today. I think what is more important is the meaning of the song to us Filipinos, not how it should be sung. However, I will appreciate more if it be sung next time correctly.
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