Why are Filipinos Good Singers ?

Why Are Filipinos Good Singers?

The question should be Why, Where and How ?

1)    Why are Filipinos good singers ?

2)    Where are those talents came from ?

3)    How can Filipinos be this good in music ?

Is it their Genes, DNA or Filipinos just have so much time to practice and perfected the art of singing ?

We cannot argue less and question the overflowing musical talents that originated from the Philippines. Even the very popular comedian and television host Ellen DeGeneres mentioned on her Twitter that “Filipinos tend to be very good at singing”.

She tweeted, "I've learned two things about TV. It’s always easier with vodka and some of the best singers are from the Philippines."

Here’s some facts that I think will answer some of these questions.

1) Filipinos express their emotions through singing

Historically Filipinos has been singing their emotions whether it’s happy times or mourning or when they are in love.
When in Love,  Filipinos express it by singing outside the window of the girl they love accompanied by guitarist and this is called “Harana” (serenade ). ‘tho this has lost popularity over the decades, most times and even this our modern age, Filipinas love men that can sing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leCqoOmL8u0 

Singing during Happy times ? All the time actually.

From Birthdays to weddings and even monthsaries ( Month anniversary). They will pick up a guitar or set up their karaoke machine and sing. The neighbours will surely awake the whole night as they normally sing throughout the night.

Singing and music while mourning ? I once went to this wake in Pangasinan ( a province 200 kms away from Manila ) and was blown away by the way they mourn as they have a band that plays upbeat music with a matching singer singing “Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin”. Their drums by the way are made from plastic containers. But mind you, they are that good that I am worried that the dead will rise and rock the house down.

2) Poverty - Want to be rich and famous ? Try your luck in “Tawag ng Tanghalan”.

“Tawag ng Tanghalan” ( Call of the Stage ! ) is an amateur singing competition where contestants from all walks of life and from all parts of the Philippines, young and olds sing their hearts out to win the title as the Grand Champion which could take them to stardom and save most of them from hard life of poverty.
Winning a small local amateur singing contest in their town could potentially earn them not just the trophy but also cash prize which is enough to survive them for a month or so. How much more if they win in huge competitions like “Tawag ng Tanghalan, X-Factor, The Voice Kids or Pilipinas got Talent”, this will change their lives completely forever.

Filipinos even travel overseas to try their luck in international singing competitions and lots and lots of them have done well.

Philippines is not even close to becoming a first world country and majority of people still lives in poverty. Singing is not just hobby or past time for some, singing and music is their livelihood. 

Philippines is not even close to becoming a first world country and majority of people still lives in poverty.

If you are a traveller, do check out the gigs in Dubai, Japan, Hong Kong and even Singapore, most of the bands playing are from the Philippines. Cruise ships, Filipino entertainers and not to mention Hong Kong Disneyland.

When asked the question why they want to win these contests or go overseas and work as singers, with tears on their eyes, the usual answers is :

“I love my family, want to help and give them the good life that they deserve and deprived of”.

 3) Home Entertainment  

Whether it's a family event event like a birthday party or a national holiday like Independence Day, you'll see Filipinos singing.

Heard of the Karaoke machine ? Technically the karaoke Sing Along System is a Filipino invention by Roberto del Rosario then President of treble Music Ccorporation who patented the system in 1975 although the idea has long been attributed to a Japanese Musician.

Most Filipino households in the Philippines and overseas own a Karaoke machine. They sing to have fun regardless if you are an excellent singer or out of tune. A fun way to celebrate and doesn’t cost you a cent.

What does this have to do with the common belief that Filipinos are good singers? Simple - practice and exposure. The more you sing, the more you get better at it.


4. Encouraging Parents

Filipino parents loves to hear their kids singing and they encourage their kids from their early years to sing in front of people.

It is funny how these kids can sing just by listening to the sing and mimic the way the song was sung by the original singers even before they can say the words clearly. There are even reports that Filipino children learn to hum before they can speak.
Besides, if they see their folks singing every time, what do you expect these kids to be doing when they have grown ? Sing.

Take for example this Filipino boy Kai who went viral after his video singing a Bruno Mars original on Youtube. Kai was even invited by Ellen Degeneres to her show couple of times as the viewers loves Kai although he has grown since his first viral Youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKm12WlEigo

5. Filipinos are Hopeless Romantics

“My Way” of Frank Sinatra is an old time hits in karaoke bars and even at home in the Philippines. It is so popular that everyone wants to sing it.
Filipinos are soft hearted and hopeless romantics that they don’t just sing, they want to feel what they are singing. Love Songs are their favorite as they can sing these songs from the heart.

So next time you visit South East Asia, please include the Philippines on your itinerary but make sure you prepare a song or two as you will surely end up singing the Filipino way.

Also, here are more reasons why visit the Philippines :

Article : Philippines - New Zealand of Asia 

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Author : Edwin Quindo