Jolina Magdangal will sing the Philippine national anthem “the standard and legal” way at the pre-fight ceremony of boxer Brian Viloria’s defense of his light flyweight title against Mexican Jesus Iribe on Aug. 29 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

This is according to the singer-actress’ father and manager, Jun Magdangal, in an interview with Manila Bulletin Online on Aug. 26.

“Wala s’yang intention to change the tune,” the elder Magdangal said.

It can be recalled that Dessa was castigated for belting out the last part of “Lupang Hinirang” before a fight between eventual winner Nonito Donaire and Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug. 15.

Prior to that, Martin Nievera caught the ire of some public officials with what they deemed as his “wrong rendition” of “Lupang Hinirang” during the Manny Paquiao-Ricky Hatton bout also in Las Vegas on May 3. 

Republic Act No.. 8491’s Chapter 2, Sec. 37 states: “The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.”

And that’s exactly how Jolina will sing “Lupang Hinirang,” Magdangal pointed out.

“That’s why when I asked her if she needed anything [in relation to her singing the national anthem], she said no. E kasi naman since grade school kinakanta na niya iyan. She will sing it the way she has done so all these years,” he maintained.

Magdangal added that Jolina would fly to Hawaii on Aug. 28 to hold a concert a day before the Viloria-Iribe match. She would be back in Manila on Sept. 1 in time for the event that she’d attend in support of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR’s fight against drugs.