Another singer has done it again and the National Historic Institute is not pleased. Our singers should try and use their brains and learn that there is a Republic Act that prohibits any alteration of our National Anthem. Other singers had been criticized too such as Kyla, Sarah Geronimo, Bituin Escalante, Lani Misalucha and Geneva Cruz for the same error.

Singers should know that the National Anthem is not like any other song and should be treated with respect. There should not be any alteration but singers seemed to forget this and want to showcase their talents instead. Martin Nievera sang the Lupang Hinirang in Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Ricky Hatton where he sang it slowly at first, in the middle it was fast and he ends it with a high note.

The RA 8491 Section 37 is the 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines and states that any rendition of our National Anthem whether sung or played should be in accordance with the arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe. That means it should be upbeat and not RnB’ish.