Martin's Anthem

Last Sunday’s Pacquiao-Hatton fight had more than just Hatton as a casualty. Singer Martin Nievera’s pre-fight rendition of our national anthem has made him everyone’s punching bag – the National Historical Institute is contemplating filing a criminal suit against him for violating a law which prohibits the song from being sung differently from the Julian Felipe-arranged march; a congressman has filed a resolution to investigate Nievera in aid of legislation; and songwriter Ryan Cayabyab was even reported by a newspaper as having previously admonished Martin to stick to the traditional version. Fortunately for Martin, others have come out in his defense citing artistic license and the fact that he sung with "great feeling".

Martin’s version of the Lupang Hinirang may not have sat well with everyone, but it does raise some interesting questions. For one, does the constitutional guarantee of free speech apply to the “mangling” of the national anthem? While I would be careful to elevate this to the level of flag burning, I seem to recall that Philippine case law does not protect disrespect of the flag. If that were anything to go by then Martin might be in for it, but he can always claim that he meant no disrespect. On the other hand, is the NHI unfairly singling out Martin? Isn’t the version played out in cinemas prior to the first and last full shows also sung in violation of the law? Americans take a lot of liberties with the Star Spangled Banner, singing it all jazzed up or just plain godawful- remember comedienne Roseanne Barr who croaked the SSB before a baseball game, only to be booed by the audience, whereupon she defiantly grabbed her crotch? However unpleasant that sight may be shouldn't we have equal rights in that regard?

Personally, I didn’t like The Nievera Version and think that if Simon Cowell had judged that performance he would label it “indulgent” and “over the top”. However, I wouldn't go to the extent of suggesting that Martin be strung up from the nearest flagpole as he belts out "ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo!". Maybe Martin should have taken a cue from the great Sir Tom Jones who, on the same stage, sang God Save the Queen simply, manly, and with great dignity. In short, a class act. Of course Jones was singing for the other side which lost, but that's another story.

In the end more important issues cry out for our collective attention: Typhoon Emong has just left a swath of destruction, the national deficit is ever balooning, and the 2010 elections are just around the corner. Then there is Manny Pacquiao to celebrate. The fuss about Martin is - like his singing - all noise and columnists, pundits and assorted kibitzers (Miztuh Blogwell included) will fortunately find other topics to bark about. One good thing to come out of all this is the revelation that our nation is not made the less by Martin's folly. If at all, it has revealed one of our strengths and that is that our society is democratic enough to tolerate really bad acts.