Much Ado About Nothing

Manny “Pacman” Paquiao it seems very probable  would still be fighting against loudmouth Floyd Mayweather Jr. When he does, this column  hopes it would already be his last as Freddie Roach his coach also suggested. Manny should  better follow Roach’s advice as he’s as prophetic as anyone else. That I believe is the best Manny could do for now or praying over  Roach’s advice hopefully for him to avert possible complications from  Alzheimer’s disease ensuing from long pugilistic conquest from the ring like his coach.

 Of course, it might be considered  fight of the century promising the biggest payday but if you would ask this observer, I don’t thing it’s a good plan.  In the firs place, what is there to prove more from  Manny? By retiring while still in his best health and prime the way Rocky Marciano did is more than sending very strong message to the world.  From the looks too of it, he has psychological advantage not even the pretender Pretty Boy Mayweather Jr. could question notwithstanding his unblemished record. Manny already earned as many as seven belt championship in  as many weight classes there is in the world at the same time cementing his lofty status as the world’s best pound for pound fighter. And money? He  has already that much from his previous fights  over the decades that would last more than a lifetime what with his sixth richest  athlete status as  of the latest counting  in the world. Manny incidentally is good mathematician so there’s no problem on where his fortune go having invested in as many industries he established.

 Second, I don’t think it would be that exciting match given the way Mayweather carry the fight. I’m definitely very confident that what would be seeing is the repeat of the lousy  Event at Superbowl where Clottey simply hang on his gloves to survive for dear life. Most likely, the fight could even  be worst what with Mayweather don’t mix dancing his way out from the lethal punch of Manny.   

Third and most importantly, I just don’t want that NHC would again stage another sideshow castigating for whoever would sing the Pambansang Awit they allege  not giving justice interpreting the song squeezing for public apology the way they coerced Arnel Pineda with his sterling performance at Superbowl in Dallas, Texas. NHC should better shut up. Historians should better record more on the events and not mess up dragging music which is almost non-issue there. It  stinks.  Dung!

But when Manny does fight again, this column strongly suggests that the National  Historical Commission should be given benefits of their doubts singing  among  themselves the rare chance of belting Pambansang Awit as the way it should be interpreted to prove themselves how the song would be sang with justice.  And when they  do,  I hope   the   heaven would sent high praises down  not rain them  fire and brimstone for great disservice they instead dished out. They just really do the necessary preparation no way of making compromise  delivering  the song  to the satisfaction of  Pacman’s sea of humanity Filipino fans  or they  would end up    rained them  with plastic  mineral bottles and coins amidst the  roaring of catcalls instead of a whimper for a job they’re  supposed not  to do.

 Or the better, they start  eating  their words  right now hiring either  Dulce Amor or Nolyn Cabahug or any whom they deemed could  parrot what Julian Felipe, the song’s composer, would like to do it. Or if they so wish as this is unsolicited, why not hire services of  the resonant voice of this writer! (Are not writer are also good singers better than historians isn’t it Lynde and Johnny Boy?)

Actually NHC knows that  Manny Pacquiao  hired the services of Ciara Soto and Jolina Magdangal and other singers doing the job of the composition but look how it ended. There were no complaints from NHC  alright but not from the musicians who knows how to appreciate the trade. Christian Bautista invitation should be made true.  He should be thrown in prison for his unpatriotic castration of the lyrics of the song. That’s definitely more than unpatriotic.  What message in the world anyway he is delivering not knowing the lyrics he is singing.  Similarly, that other Bautista girl, who tried to end with a bang but clearly turned out off key reaching out the skies should only be allowed to sing when she opts the normal tune her voice would allow.  But definitely, not the likes of Charice Pepengco, possibly Regine Velasque and Lani Misallucha and lately Arnel Pineda who are in their best element when they deliver the piece in such electrifying soaring fashion. If the US did it in their Star Spangled Banner and Mexico in their very vibrant marching national anthem why can’t Filipinos who have carved a niche not just in boxing anyway but more so in the world of  entertainment, do it in the best and effective way they could.

NHC  should better wake up now and instead gives recognition for such rendition by such great artists making us proud  treating the ending of  the old composition in a new way.  That’s actually another definition of originality – not just sticking  out to old composition hook, line and sinker as if its composer Julian Felipe would rise from the grave but treating an old song in new way!

Why then all those thrash  talk of mountain over molehill demanding public apology from artists or   suffer the full extent of the Law for having committed that “infraction”.  Apology  for what - for having entertained the audience to rally them for Manny as the Pacman normally feeds on the shout of the audience enjoining  him  do his job of  total entertainment  through systematic and scientific  demolition of his opponents  in the ring.  

But I have doubts no way they could get praises and get the nod of the viewing Filipino public because it’s not the proper forum they should dish out singing the song. That unless they  lulled those sea of humanity as in hypnotic stance  through the singing of Pambansang Awit.  Common we’ve been  there in as many forums, programs, events attended where Pambansang Awit is always sang.  Sadly the singing of that song is done as if the occasion is still  Holy Week of the Lenten season.  That should be the occasion NHC  should wield its power. They should come to the rescue and extend the necessary lift by getting the services of a choral group or they themselves singing to their heart’s delight indicating how to do it. Worst,  checking and enjoining the LGU of singing the song live not using a minus one or recorded CD doing the singing for us which is very mechanical, devoid of emotion and meaning.

The  fight of all this brouhaha of Pambansang Awit undoubtedly happens right in our own  backyard. That should be because it’s our  own product.  No need of dragging the issue  overseas because our own artists knows better and can deliver best the work for us.