By Ricardo Lo
Philippine Star
In grade/elementary and high school, we did it every day during the flag ceremony that singing Lupang Hinirang, the National Anthem, came as easy as saying The Lord’s Prayer. Every pupil/student knows the lyrics by heart, and they sing the anthem from the heart, so it was as easy as singing Bahay Kubo.
But singing Lupang Hinirang before a crowd as huge as one that would fill up a boxing arena can be daunting and nerve-wracking, so the Herculean task should be entrusted only to singers who are up to the challenge, such as world-class singer Lani Misalucha who sang it during the bout between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Erik Morales in L.A. (where Pacman lost), and not a newcomer like Jennifer Bautista who drew flak when her voice faltered as she tried to hit a high note (in the line Ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo) during the Pacquiao-Morales return bout (won by Pacman) in Las Vegas a year later.
Recently, even the award-winning singer Christian Bautista fared miserably when he sang Lupang Hinirang at the exhibition match between Gerry Penalosa and Bernabe Concepcion in Alabang. Christian didn’t sing off-key, all right, but he forgot some lines (Aming ligaya na pag may mangaapi ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo), finishing the song minutes ahead of the audience. Some people said that Christian’s "sin of omission" was unforgiveable even if Christian had promptly apologized for it, saying that he had just recovered from an ailment and promising to do it right next time.
And now comes Ara Mina who is being eyed — nay, "strongly recommended" — by Pacquiao to sing Lupang Hinirang when he fights with Mark Anthony Barrera in Las Vegas on Oct. 6. Ara is starring with Pacquiao in Anak ni Kumander, which he himself is producing, included in the Metro Manila Filmfest this December, and Ara’s "singing" presence in Las Vegas is designed to play up their movie.
Eyebrows are soaring — you know, Ara is sexy and a good actress (with an award to boot) trying hard to be a singer (with an album to her credit) but will she, can she, live up to the Lupang Hinirang "challenge"? If she gives in to Pacquiao’s wish, Ara should start taking extra voice lessons. Las Vegas is Las Vegas; it’s a hundred times bigger than the Music Museum where Ara holds concerts every now and then.
Two down (Jennifer and Christian)... one to go?
Knock on wood.
My unsolicited advice to Ara?Back off!
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