PHOTO COURTESY OF GMANEWS.TV
" Boxing is show-business with blood." ~David Belasco
If there ever was a true winner in today's Pacquiao-Barrera match way before the first bell, it was definitely Kyla and her rendition of the Philippine national anthem Lupang Hinirang.
I confess to not knowing much about her and her songs but I am aware of her title: the Philippines' R&B Princess. How that came about, I admit to having no direct knowledge of at this point. I somehow find it interesting, though, that we even have an R&B genre, considering that there's the OPM already which, to my mind, may be more than enough and is very valid a classification that covers all types of Filipino music. It could be the prevalent style of singing with vocal runs, by both male and female singers, which was popularized by Regine Velasquez when she began belting à la Mariah Carey (which, in turn, killed her &mdash Regine's &mdash true and unique gift, for good). Anybody who wanted to be noticed sang in this way soon after; it was to be the standard for what makes for 'talent'.
Anyway, the singing of the Lupang Hinirang at the start of the bout was anticipated with bated breath, and why shouldn't it be? There was so much ado over Kyla singing the anthem on a show that was watched, not just by the country's politicians, celebrities and millionaires, but by viewers worldwide. Choosing her was the wisest decision ever made by the organizers of the sport commonly associated with high-stakes and sleaze.
There is no place for anyone taking the melismatic path and try to get away with singing the anthem in the most horrible and embarrasing way. Lani Misalucha, Bituin Escalante, and Sarah Geronimo, all extremely talented singers, took liberty in singing it in their personal styles. Sure, it showcased their vocal prowess but, really,
I confess to not knowing much about her and her songs but I am aware of her title: the Philippines' R&B Princess. How that came about, I admit to having no direct knowledge of at this point. I somehow find it interesting, though, that we even have an R&B genre, considering that there's the OPM already which, to my mind, may be more than enough and is very valid a classification that covers all types of Filipino music. It could be the prevalent style of singing with vocal runs, by both male and female singers, which was popularized by Regine Velasquez when she began belting à la Mariah Carey (which, in turn, killed her &mdash Regine's &mdash true and unique gift, for good). Anybody who wanted to be noticed sang in this way soon after; it was to be the standard for what makes for 'talent'.
Anyway, the singing of the Lupang Hinirang at the start of the bout was anticipated with bated breath, and why shouldn't it be? There was so much ado over Kyla singing the anthem on a show that was watched, not just by the country's politicians, celebrities and millionaires, but by viewers worldwide. Choosing her was the wisest decision ever made by the organizers of the sport commonly associated with high-stakes and sleaze.
There is no place for anyone taking the melismatic path and try to get away with singing the anthem in the most horrible and embarrasing way. Lani Misalucha, Bituin Escalante, and Sarah Geronimo, all extremely talented singers, took liberty in singing it in their personal styles. Sure, it showcased their vocal prowess but, really,
- was it right?
- was it necessary?
- could the rest of the Filipinos sing along with it with pride, without ever cringing?
There is, however, a way to properly sing the anthem and it should be sung with reverence only to the flag, not to the event, and, certainly not to the singer. •
THANK YOU, MUKAMO PHILIPPINES, FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST THIS VIDEO
(VIDEO) KYLA SINGS THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ANTHEM, Lupang Hinirang, OCT 6, 2007, Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada • Kylamuks-f | Uploaded by kiksilog
REFERENCES:
Republic Act No. 8491: AN ACT PRESCRIBING THE CODE OF THE NATIONAL FLAG, ANTHEM, MOTTO, COAT-OF-ARMS AND OTHER HERALDIC ITEMS AND DEVICES OF THE PHILIPPINES
Section 37 The rendition of the National Anthem, whether played or sung, shall be in accordance with the musical arrangement and composition of Julian Felipe.
Section 38 When the National Anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor.
As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests... (Click link above to read the rest of it.)
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Inquirer.net's pre-fight article on singing the national anthem
What’s the proper way to sing the national anthem?
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Artist's links Kyla, EMI artist | Kyla
