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LAS VEGAS – Recording artist Martin Nievera said yesterday he’s ready to sing the “Pambansang Awit” in a way that will fire up Manny Pacquiao before the Filipino icon takes on IBO lightwelterweight champion Ricky Hatton here tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila).

“I’ve been practicing for over a month,” said Nievera who flew in from Manila on a Philippine Airlines flight last Thursday. “I’ll give it my best as a Filipino. I prefer to sing with music but I’m still checking if the venue producers will allow a sound check and monitors for my ear piece which, by the way, has the logo of the Philippine flag. I could do a capella or sing with a minus-one.”

Nievera said he’ll start the song slowly, like a ballad, then increase the pace to a marching beat.

“It’ll be a different rendition,” he mentioned. “A few days ago, I launched my new CD ‘For Always’ at Robinson’s Place Manila and sang our National Anthem the way I’ll sing it for the fight. Midway the song, the crowd really got pumped up and started cheering and applauding. Someone filmed it and you can now see it on You Tube. My last note will be my knockout punch to Hatton.”

Nievera said he realizes his version may trigger various reactions.

“Some people don’t appreciate anything new,” he said. “Some people will insist the National Anthem is a sacred song. But this is for a fight and we’ve got to be up to par and work along the norms. This isn’t an inaugural ball. I won’t upstage the song and I won’t sing to showcase my vocal callisthenics. I just want to sing for Manny and the Filipino people and show how proud we Filipinos are to be Filipino.”

Nievera said he’s not aware who will sing the British “God Save The Queen” but the rumor is either Susan Boyle or Tom Jones will do it.

“Susan has an angelic voice and getting her would be the right move but I’m a big Tom Jones fan and it would also be nice to see two male singers in the ring,” said Nievera who plans to wear a Francis Magalona-designed shirt “Three Stars and a Sun” inside a jacket.

Nievera said since he’ll sing emotionally like Pacquiao would.

“Manny’s a balladeer who likes emotional songs,” said Nievera. “That’s what I noticed when we sang karaoke in Los Angeles two months ago. He picked to sing songs like ‘Be My Lady,’ ‘Kahit Isang Saglit’ and ‘Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?’ But I’ll finish with a beat inspired by a march.”

As for the bout, Nievera said it won’t be an easy gig for Pacquiao.

“I think Manny will win but he can’t take Hatton lightly,” he went on.

• Philstar
• Pinoy Showbiz