Charice promises 'original' tempo in singing anthem

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 her performance due to previous criticism from the National Historical Institute of past public performances of the anthem, notably during boxing fights of Manny Pacquiao. "Ang nakakakaba doon ay ilang artist ang kumanta na ng national 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 previously sung the anthem for Paquiao's fight with Joshua Clottey on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. While gushing pride at being chosen to sing the national anthem for the inauguration of the country's 15th president, Charice also admitted being "more nervous" about performing "in front of thousands of Filipinos. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV