NATIONAL HISTORICAL INSTITUTE VERSUS ARNEL PINEDA

The controversy arose from the wrongful rendition of Journey’s front man, Arnel Pineda, of the Philippine National Anthem during the fight of Manny Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington , Texas on March 13, 2010. The spokesperson of the NHI claimed that Arnel Pineda sung the national anthem differently from the established beat and sound that it’s supposed to have been sung. Some artists who previously sung the same song in some of the previous fights of Manny Pacquiao came to Arnel Pineda’s defense. They said that it was not their intention to rewrite the rhythm and sound of the national anthem. What is important is that they sung it straight from their heart and with conviction.

As an ordinary citizen, I would say that NHI was just over reacting on the issue. When we were in school I don’t remember singing the national anthem in a marching beat. It was usually melancholic and slow. I agree with some of the stars that it is not how you sing it but what you felt when you were singing it. If it is their concern that the national anthem be sung based on its original beat and hymn, they should have sent someone who is trained to do that to sing in the fight. They give utmost importance to the correct execution of the song but they failed to do their part in doing so. This is just a media publicity for the NHI which does not reflect very well on the agency.

View my Guestbook
Free Guestbooks by Bravenet.com