Every time the champion boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao fights to defend his title, he chooses an artist to sing the Philippine National Anthem to represent him and the Philippines. And every time the chosen artist sings the National Anthem, there is always an issue with regards to the way the artist sings or interprets the song.

In Manny Pacquiao’s recent fight with Joshua Clottey, Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the band Journey sang the Philippine National Anthem. He did well but just as expected, the NHI (National Historical Institute) reprimanded Arnel Pineda in his version of Lupang Hinirang. The said Journey band front man already apologized to NHI. In his interview, Pineda said “I apologize for my dissatisfactory performance dun sa fight ni Pacquiao and Clottey sa Dallas, Texas, according to their standards. What can I do? I’m just doing my job… but then again hindi ako sorry kasi artistic freedom ko yon. It doesn’t make me less of a Filipino dahil sa nabago ang pagkakanta.”

Below is the video of Arnel Pineda singing the Philippine National Anthem in the Pacquiao-Clottey fight last March 13, 2010 at Dallas, Texas.

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