March 25, 2008 · Posted in: i Report Features
Conquered by videoke
THE debate over who really invented the karaoke machine is still going strong (Filipino businessman Roberto del Rosario or Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue?), but no one questions the strength of the spell videoke — the updated karaoke — has cast on Filipinos. Indeed, the videoke machine has become such a ubiquitous part of the Philippine lifestyle that it is now a staple in practically all kinds of social gatherings. Videoke joints big and small have also sprouted by the thousands across the country, ensuring that anyone who is suddenly seized by the desire to sing to an audience can do so with little problem — and often quite cheaply, too.
![Videoke nightout [photo by Alecks Pabico]](http://www.pcij.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/videoke-nightout.jpg "Videoke nightout [photo by Alecks Pabico]")
But what is it about videoke that it has become so popular in the Philippines? And from the looks of it, this is hardly a fad with the lifespan of a mayfly. It does help, of course, that Filipinos have a natural love for music in general and singing in particular.
As part i Report‘s Himig Pinoy series, the piece, however, also argues that the Pinoy videoke craze can be traced to other notable attributes of what has become a national pastime. For one, videoke singing serves as both a social lubricant and bonding mechanism. For another, it gives the individual the chance to shine, however brief, in a society that puts high value on conformism.
For sure, there is a downside to all that singing. Even migration offers no escape from having to listen to those who are out of key; balikbayans, after all, often leave this country with a Magic Sing box. One can always opt for earplugs, of course. But wouldn’t it be more practical — and more fun — to give in to one’s inner diva (or divo) instead?
Read on at pcij.org.
6 Responses to Conquered by videoke
jojo
March 25th, 2008 at 10:46 am
whoever invented the gizmo should be crucified. ever woke up at around 3am because of the noise generated by people in the next street belting out song after song from a karaoke?
batang buotan
March 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Singing has been part of Filipino’s life. It’s magical. even those noisy ones are considered singers when they hold microphone.
jcc
March 26th, 2008 at 3:02 am
It is admirable the way PCIJ would bring the apolitical karaoke passion of the Filipinos as a reprieve from too much partisan bickerings that mostly occupied its webpages.
With the great leap in technology and the need for us to keep abreast of science and medical breakthroughs, it would be a welcome sight if PCIJ would enlist techno-writers who will educate and entertain us on these fields. Maybe we can forget about politics and devote ourselves to bettering the lives of ourless fortunate brothers through science and technology.
uberdoog
March 27th, 2008 at 9:30 am
It behooves us to find out the culprit behind the karaoke so that he and his karaoke bullies can be brought to swift and (preferably) unmerciful justice. It is bad enough that the average Filipino is insensitive to cacophony (ex. take note of the nauseating frequency that todays Pinoy rock groups repeat their insipid refrains), but it become cruel and unusual punishment when such noise-making villains force their inanities on others. Just as air-horn riding bus drivers, noisemakers should be incarcerated in special soundproofed cells where they are made to soak in the racket they create and at the decibels they usually play it. Of course, it may not have any effect as the vacuum that exists between their two ears does not transmit sound. With apologies to Alan Dean Foster who wrote the movie “Alien”, it is aptly said that “In (their cranial) space, (these idiots) cannot hear your scream.”
uberdoog
March 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am
The karaoke is merely a modern-day version of yesteryear’s Bread and Blood (of the gladiatorial Games in the Colosseum). Just as the free distribution of bread and the gladiatorial games kept the Roman masses from getting restive, karaoke, dvd, mp3, ipods. iphones, computer games, lunchtime variety shows, telenovelas, and a slew of other diversions keep the Filipino masses opiated and tractable even as the nation is being driven to destruction by its leaders. Like violins and lyre, the karaoke and its other electronic cousins lull us with warm fuzzies. We are bonding with our family and friends! We are expressing ourselves! What could be wrong with the world? Too bad that certain realities will not and be sung way. The price of rice and other commodities will run away and fuel costs will reach the sky. I wonder at what point will Juan de la Cruz, that “I Did It My Way” belting crooner, grow up and find no more comfort nursing-bottle comfort in his karaoke. When will he wake up and find that the party that never was, is over?
PeaceCrusader
April 10th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Sorry to post this comment on “Conquered by videoke” just now.
Those who have the talent to sing seemed to monopolize the party. How about those who cannot sing? Will they just remain as spectators na nakatunganga na lang sa mga kumakanta? That sometimes, the singer is even out of tune? Masakit sa taynga. I remember reading a news item about a person singing in a karaoke bar who was gunned down by a listener because the singer did not want to stop singing. (Kaya nga, sabi sa news item, bawal na kantahin na ang “My Way”.)
Did you know that I wanted the audience to participate in a karaoke or videoke? If some people could not sing, I have other musical instruments like maracas, triangles, castanets, bells, etc. (low-priced percussion instruments) for them to use to accompany the singing. I recommended this to music shops to suggest to their customers who have karaoke or videoke. This will boost their sales of musical instruments as well.