Filipino-Canadian YouTube sensation Maria Aragon is making it a point to practice singing the Philippine national anthem every day for her to be perfect for Manny Pacquiao’s fight on November 12 against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I am practicing every day to make it [singing of the national anthem] perfect,” Aragon, who was chosen by Pacquiao to sing the “Lupang Hinirang,” told the BusinessMirror over the weekend.

She revealed to have sought the assistance of the National Historical Institute (NHI) to learn the proper way of singing the anthem.

“They [NHI] said my singing was alright but I have to work more on my Tagalog diction,” Aragon said, adding that she is very excited and nervous at the same time.

She recalled that she just went to one event where Pacquiao was also there “to just meet him,” but did not expect what came after.

“I just wanted to meet him [Pacquiao] at first but I was surprised when he asked me to sing the national anthem. I am blessed and honored. It happened all very quickly and I’m so very thankful for getting the chance to do this,” she revealed.

(Claudeth Mocon)