source: gmanews.tv

International singing sensation Charice Pempengco on Wednesday said she will be singing the "original" version of the Philippine National Anthem.

In an interview with GMA News, Charice – clad in a pink off-shoulder dress – said she rehearsed the song with maestro Ryan Cayabyab on Tuesday.

For the inauguration rites in Manila, the Billboard chart-topper said she and Cayabyab will be sticking to the "marching" tempo of "Lupang Hinirang."

Pempengco was interviewed at the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel, before she proceeded to the Quirino Grandstand to wait for her turn to sing the anthem.

"Ang gagawin namin ay ang original march so medyo mabilis. Pero magiging maayos ang lahat dahil original ang gagawin namin," she said.




Charice said there was added pressure on his performance given that the National Historical Institute has consistently criticized past public performances of the anthem – mostly during boxing fights of Manny Pacquiao.

"Ang nakakakaba doon ay ilang artist ang kumanta ng nanational anthem na nabigyan ng pansin ng NHI na may konti ngang may kamalian... so sa tingin ko yun ang nakakakaba," she said.

Charice herself had sung the anthem before for Paquiao's fight with Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

While being proud of being chosen to sing the national anthem, Charice also admitted being "more nervous" about performing "in front of thousands of Filipinos. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV