The National Historical Institute (NHI) is filing a complaint against singer Arnel Pineda; this, for allegedly changing the tone and tempo of the Philippine National Anthem.
 
Pineda sang “Lupang Hinirang” prior to the start of the Pacquiao-Clottey bout in Texas, Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
 
According to the NHI, Pineda’s version, although seemingly subdued and much more straightforward compared to past renditions, wasn’t at a marching pace as the law requires. He also allegedly raised the pitch of the song near the end—clearly a no-no.
 
Teddy Atienza, chief of the Heraldry Section of the NHI, was quoted as saying that Pineda’s version is “wrong.”
 
Government prosecutors led by Justice Secretary Alberto Agra expressed “readiness” in tackling the prospective complaint.
 
"Lahat ng reklamo, lahat ng complaint, kailangan dinggin ng DOJ," Agra said in a radio interview on March 15.
 
Not the first
 
Pineda is not the first singer to receive a complaint from the NHI.
 
Among the singers reprimanded by the NHI for allegedly deviating from the anthem’s original form were Charice Pempengco and Christian Bautista.
 
Bautista is remembered for having forgotten several lines of the anthem when he sang the song during a boxing match in Muntinlupa in 2007.
 
Other singers like Sarah Geronimo, Lani Misalucha, Kyla and Martin Nievera, have also been criticized by the NHI.
 
The pop group La Diva was similarly nagged by the government body for their performance of the anthem during the Pacquiao-Cotto match in November last year.
 
Fans’ reaction
 
Netizens reaction to Pineda’s performance was mixed, as seen from the few posts quoted here:
 
“The Pacquiao-Clottey fight must be that boring, ppl are instead talking abt how Arnel Pineda sang the national anthem. I mean, seriously?”

“May issue nanaman NCCA sa national anthem ni Arnel Pineda? Sige sa susunod huhukayin ang mga bayani, pipilitin pakantahin. Ok na ba yun?

“Arnel Pineda just couldn't resist making birit the last lines of the Philippine national anthem... He's Journey's lead singer, after all.”

“Arnel Pineda is being sued for his singing of the national anthem . . . gotta love purists.”

“Arnel Pineda: "I sang the national anthem from the heart." If you sang it from the heart, you should've sang it the right way first, idiot!!”

“Sabi ng NHI mabagal daw yung rendition ni arnel pineda, next time si gloc 9 na lang para 10 seconds tapos na yung national anthem...”

“I thought Arnel Pineda pretty much nailed the Philippine national anthem... until about the last three notes, when he decided to get fancy!”

“For me, Arnel Pineda did a wonderful rendition of the Lupang Hinirang...”

“Wow Arnel Pineda's singing the national anthem. How horrible. He started too high. Is there an anthem curse or something?”

“I quite like Arnel Pineda's rendition of the National Anthem. He just sang it straight up- no frills, no pomp…”

“Just heard Arnel Pineda sing the Philippine National Anthem in Manny Pacquiao's big fight...my comment...thumbs down.”

Just being vigilant

The NHI is the government body tasked to ensure reverence for the national anthem, the Philippine flag and other national symbols.
 
Under Section 37 of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code, the national anthem must be sung in accordance with the original musical arrangement of composer Julian Felipe.
 
Section 20 of the law also states: "The rendition of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo."
 
Violators may be fined P5, 000 to P20, 000 or jailed for a year.
 
On the defense

Pineda defended his version, arguing that he sang it by heart. He said however, that he would leave the matter to his lawyer.
 
A few days before flying to the US, Pineda seemingly aware of the previous complaints filed by the NHI against other singers, assured the media that he will not embellish on his performance of the national anthem.
 
"Ang sa akin ay kakantahin ko ito sa paraan na alam kong magugustuhan ng mga Filipino, bata man o matanda," said he.
 
The singer, who was personally invited by Pacquiao to sing for the fight added, "Ito ang pambansang awit natin, I have to make sure na maganda ang pagkaka-awit natin."
 
“I’m sure you guys will be proud."
 
Pineda is the lead singer of the American band Journey. He was discovered by the group’s guitarist Neal Schon via the popular website YouTube.