Incorrect singing of Lupang Hinirang will soon be punishable by law
Posted on June 14th, 2009
The House committee on basic education and culture, chaired by Rep. Del de Guzman of Marikina announced the passage on third and final reading of a bill which proposes to criminalize the incorrect rendition of the National Anthem. Violators of the said bill will be imposed a two-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.
Once the bill is enacted into law, Rep. Salvardor Escudero III of Sorsogon said that people who deviates from the original musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe when singing “Lupang Hinirang†will be considered a crime punishable under Republic Act 8491 signed on February 12, 1998. “This measure proposes to prescribe standards with respect to the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, protocol and display of the Philippine flag,†Escudero said.
Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Teodoro Casiño filed last month House Resolution 1137, which calls for an inquiry into the correct manner of singing the National Anthem. He said there is a need to correct some misconception that anyone can sing the national anthem in his or her preferred style. This is of course in reaction to the style of singing of Martin Nievera during the Pacquiao-Hatton fight on May 3, 2009.
“The public should be enlightened that there is a law on how to show respect for the Philippine flag, the National Anthem, the great seal and other heraldic items because these are symbols of the Filipino spirit and national identity,†Casiño said.
Nievera, of course, was not the first artist who sang the National Anthem based on his own interpretation. There were other artists before him who also performed the said song in their own arrangement, this is what the bill wants to be stopped.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, said the National Anthem shall be within the range of 100 to 120 metronome, in 2/4 beat when played and in 4/4 beat when sung.
“The National Anthem is a marching-type tempo wherein the Filipino participants are obliged to sing,†de Guzman said.
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For me it is good enough to implement law regarding the incorrect singing of Philippine National Athem, for us also to know and to respect the theme of our country. It represents every Filipino, so we have to give it enough respect fo us to be respected by other country also.