Why are SO MANY Filipinos SUCH WONDERFUL Singers?
It certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed that some of the most popular Asian-American singers and performers — who consistently represent a venerated lineup of top-notch talent on Broadway and the West End — are Filipinos. The sheer abundance of world-famous Filipino powerhouse singers has created inspiring moments with their performances. Their majestic voices brim with purity, leaving audiences spellbound. Notable examples include Lea Salonga, Eva Noblezada, Adam Jacobs, Cris Villonco, and many other accomplished musical A-listers. It is staggering how difficult it is to pick a highlight from such an embarrassment of riches; this task is perpetually challenging due to indecision.
The odds of stumbling across a Filipino cast member upon naming a Broadway musical are invariably high, demonstrating the extent to which they have collectively proven to be a prevailing artistic force when the lights are on and the curtains are lifted. In fact, their impactful presence is not only confined to musicals but also extends to winning the hearts of avid musical theatre enthusiasts worldwide.
Commercial success on an international scale is, too, no stranger to singers of Filipino bloodline. This group features a laundry list of critically acclaimed, chart-topping mainstream superstars with world-moulding smash hits, ranging from global heartthrob Enrique Iglesias and Nicole Scherzinger (from The Pussycat Dolls) to Bruno Mars and Olivia Rodrigo (the singer-songwriter of the trending ballad ‘Drivers License’), along with a treasure trove of other household names.
Needless to say, there is a seemingly endless series of Pinoy singers who have found their calling in music and embraced the ubiquity of the digital space to generate massive online followings as YouTubers, even if they are not as celebrated or given ample credit as the vaunted Hollywood-level artists.
As many incredibly talented Filipino singers emerge on the YouTube scene with increased regularity through live-streamed and pre-recorded covers and concerts, they showcase their vocal prowess without hesitation. This ultimately garners them the love of virtual audiences upon discovery, setting them on a path toward fame and stardom.
My personal favorite online Pinoy artists are as follows: Justin Vazquez, a former X-Factor contestant turned YouTuber. He has taken the online route and continues to tug at emotional strings through his masterful delivery of vocal riffs and runs, showcasing their suppleness. His smooth, soothing vocal tone complements the way he strums the guitar, adding his own twist to his usual stripped-back, mesmerizing renditions of 80s and 90s oldies that stand the test of time.
Another artist who paved his own path to online success is Daryl Ong, a once hopeful budding star who achieved a significant career breakthrough thanks to his wildly viral song covers and videos. My favorite artistic masterpiece of Daryl is the heartfelt and soulful rendition of Mariah Carey’s ‘One Sweet Day,’ featuring a heavenly collaboration characterized by goosebumps-inducing tight-knit harmonies and skillful vocals from Khel, Bugoy, and Katrina Velarde, raking in a whopping 57 million views on YouTube.
So, what are the underlying causes that may explain the singing success of Filipinos?
Disclaimer: It would be a logical fallacy to claim that ALL Filipinos are great at singing. To return to the original question upon which this article is based, Filipinos are indeed believed to be well-versed in the art of singing while having an advantage over other races and demographics due to a variety of factors. To uncover why this is the case, we may find that the answer lies within the broad realm of Filipino culture itself.
1. Videoke/Karaoke is a thing and so is live singing (and that’s an understatement).
To begin with, singing karaoke or live is not just a great way to step out of your comfort zone and wipe away your inhibitions about singing in front of people; it’s also an athletic endeavor that could serve as a significant lead indicator for vocal talent discovery. Regarding vocal improvement, singing can strengthen your vocal instrument over time, provided that healthy vocal techniques are optimized through potentially years of consistent and sustained practice.
In the Philippines, it is not uncommon to encounter passionate and gifted live singers who indulge in moments of pure sentiment and vocal exultation. Their voices resonate across the streets of cities like Manila or Cebu, as well as in rural areas throughout the country. As a Filipino friend once expressed it, ‘the Philippine archipelago is the musical equivalent of a lush and fecund garden from which karaoke machines and booths sprout up all over like early-blooming spring flowers.’ Karaoke is undoubtedly a culturally accepted highlight of social gatherings, found in local family homes and a wide variety of public spaces such as parks, venues, nightclubs, bars, squares, plazas, and shopping malls.
Simply put, Filipinos take advantage of the opportunity to use karaoke players everywhere for entertainment value. They may brush aside every high-tech sound system, but karaoke is definitely not one to fly under the radar. Karaoke is a common household appliance for those willing to spend what it takes to purchase one; it has become a borderline household essential on a staples checklist, marked by its symbolism of cultural distinctiveness and the valorization of musical expressiveness.
As far as live singing goes, there are plenty of videos surfacing on YouTube that feature unsuspecting mall singers savoring a brief live karaoke stint to blow off some steam. These performances often lead to unexpected viral fame seemingly overnight. Overwhelming as it may be, this could open doors to what might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, allowing individuals to choose whether to opt in or opt out. It presents a golden chance to leverage TV appearances for building a brand and following, or potentially landing record deals from music labels upon becoming aware of one’s sudden rise to popularity.
Interestingly for me, this relates back to how Arnel Pineda was discovered by his favorite rock band, Journey! He is a world-class vocalist who was discovered on YouTube after several videos showcased him performing the rock band’s most iconic and vocally challenging songs back in 2007. He caught his ultimate lucky break when the band was searching for a replacement for their then-frontman, Steve Perry. Arnel was happily offered the opportunity to front his favorite band, marking the culmination of his successful battle for recognition and weaving an awe-inspiring rags-to-riches story.
2. Musical inspiration derived from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The Philippines consists of an interesting melting pot of indigenous traditions and the predominant post-colonial influences of Spanish and American occupation, which paints a vivid picture of how cultural eclecticism has left its mark and embedded its influence on present-day Filipino musical culture. Accordingly, Filipinos routinely embrace the raw, soulful, evocative, and highly melodic Western songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s — specifically American ones. A heavy emphasis revolves around these songs, as evidenced by YouTube covers or TV talent show auditions in terms of song selection; this reflects an unabated throwback to an era that has left us with an invaluable musical legacy. Filipinos are besotted with phenomenal virtuoso singers, mostly including balladeers, who have churned out standout ageless classics — songs that never fail to grace my Spotify playlists with their presence — such as Whitney Houston, Johnny Gill, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson, Steven Tyler, Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, and Michael Bolton, amongst many others.
That musical era is characterized by a swarm of stellar vocalists who secured multi-platinum records and established a benchmark for superstardom that, quite frankly, will likely never be eclipsed in modern times. It is the sublime, seamless blend of instrumental brilliance, emotional catharsis, and exemplary vocal virtuosity that propelled such artists to bona fide legendary status. With this in mind, the aforementioned musical icons represent the kind of high-caliber vocalists that Filipinos habitually look up to, aspire to follow, or even seek to surpass. It is evident that old-school rock ballads and lighters-in-the-air pop/soul classics from that particular era are generally compelling musical genres (probably because in today’s cutting-edge electronic technology, we rarely listen to unaltered music, unlike in preceding decades when voice editing and overall music production technology were nowhere near as advanced). Upholding those aforementioned idols or any other artists who are on equal footing in terms of vocals as musical paragons to emulate automatically raises the bar to a heightened standard that encompasses all intertwined elements of vocal ability, technique, skill, support, control, breath, emotion, and interpretation.
If any would-be artist yearns for such top-level vocal standards, one must at least want to be aligned internally with one’s truest artistic goals and externally through dedicated vocal training sessions for everything to come to fruition. The culturally inspired, deep-rooted commitment that Filipinos have to singing may explain why many Pinoy singers manage to vocally match the musical idols they admire for inspiration. Remember, practice makes perfect.
3. The consciousness of Filipinos is embedded in music and singing.
Amongst the hackneyed yet positive stereotypes that are closely associated with being Filipino is the perceived inherent ability to sing and possess that vocal talent in spades. On the whole, Filipinos are brought up wholly surrounded by singing, which is not consigned to a mere ‘throwaway’ status or a meager pastime; rather, it is a way of life. Historically, singing has been utilized to stave off invaders and bad omens, to forge closer social and communal ties, and to musically pledge allegiance to the tribe and group in order to foster and express a sense of belonging.
Based on how singing, including community-oriented activities such as choirs, has always played a fundamental role in Filipino customs, it is customary for traditional ceremonies to involve singing or musical performances. Additionally, the importance of singing extends to religious ceremonies that celebrate the sound of seraphic voices praising God with vocal splendor. What’s even more noteworthy is that singing is not necessarily limited to traditions or special ceremonies. It has become commonplace to encounter someone performing an acapella version of an OPM (Original Pilipino Music) song, or for a group of regular people from just about anywhere to spontaneously create concerts whenever there is a sufficient supply of microphones and musical instruments available.
Singing is simply a central component of any celebration or event in the Philippines, where this artistic form of expression leaves an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of people from diverse backgrounds, largely reflecting the country’s core identity and cultural heritage.
4. The sheer popularity of singing competitions.
Filipinos are de facto indispensable fixtures in singing contests worldwide, storming through a series of international television show franchises like The X Factor, The Voice, Got Talent, and so on; all of which have spawned dozens of spin-offs scattered all over the globe. With talent shows having long been the bedrock of primetime TV viewing, many Filipinos are eager to follow the well-worn path to stardom, looking to seize the preconceived ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity. Curiously enough, it turns out that 4th Impact’s audition (then named 4th Power) has become the most-watched audition in the history of the X Factor show. The Philippine-based singing group had the vocal chops and versatility to deliver a powerful, dynamic version of the hit record ‘Bang Bang’ by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj with their signature dancing and harmonies, leaving audiences blown away. The audition went on to make history, hitting over 187 million views on YouTube — a record number that has yet to be surpassed, with no current title-holders having been dethroned.
With this in mind, the rapid proliferation of singing contests — both inside and outside of the Philippines — combined with an all-pervading presence of Filipino singers who uphold the prospect of a promising music career across various platforms for exposure, have become intertwined with modern Filipino culture. A high standard of competition is concurrently met with a raising of the bar regarding requisite vocal performances, further enhancing a contestant’s fierce competitive edge. It requires singers to practice more and optimize their voice training, preferably under the supervision of a qualified vocal teacher, which would compel them to master the nuances of artistry and achieve significant vocal improvement. This is especially true for diamonds in the rough who have potential and talent but lack training or polish, and who are in dire need of professional mentoring — a crucial phase that all established artists went through before they became stars in the making.
5. Family support.
Among the most cherished values in the interdependent and collectivist Filipino culture is the belief that ‘blood is thicker than water.’ Family is considered the epicenter of social life for most Filipinos, including millions living below the subsistence level and those who qualify as middle-class individuals.
In other Asian cultures, families are often unsupportive of their children pursuing careers in singing. This notion is often relegated to an afterthought or viewed as an unreliable side hustle at best. This concern may indeed be valid given the cutthroat, high-risk nature of the music business and its unpredictable dynamics.
Conversely, singing talent is culturally regarded as a fortuitous opportunity that should be protected and treasured to escape the clutches of poverty and misfortune in the eyes of typical Filipino families who are down on their luck. These families often hitch their wagon to a singing prodigy — hoping that their own talented flesh and blood will help them snatch a big break and ultimately lift themselves out of misery.
Family serves as a much-needed source of strength and an ironclad support system during hard times for hopefuls. When the plights are not barriers, they take advantage of these moments and learn to see through a window of optimism and color, causing a small gleam of hope to sparkle before the eyes of ambitious, talented singers as they set forth on their fateful journey.
6. The importance of practice.
Having a good singing voice is often regarded as an out-of-the-blue phenomenon that no one could possibly understand or pinpoint. This phenomenon is attributed to intricately specified DNA occurrences, a mere toss of the genetic dice, or even an arbitrarily fortunate stroke of serendipity that qualifies a specific demographic for natural vocal endowment. While there are people with a natural ability to sing due to genetics, it is simply not giving due credit to Filipino singers, nor is it presenting the full picture, which actually goes far deeper than meets the eye. Singing is more of a learnable skill than a natural one, according to experts and qualified vocal coaches. In one of their articles, voice instructors from the top-rated online music school Broadway Lessons put it perfectly:
“Genetics can make obtaining some skills easier than others. For example, someone with two professional athletes as parents may have an easier time with skills related to hand-eye coordination due to their genetic predisposition. However, this doesn’t mean anyone with professional athletes as parents can’t learn to play a sport. All it means is that they may have to work a little harder.
Singing falls into the same category. Some people are born with a natural ability due to genetics and seem to find a perfect pitch easily. But broadly speaking, singing is more of a learned skill than a natural one. Most people who can sing well learn how to do so at some point in their lives. Perhaps they took private lessons, sang in a school choir, or practiced singing along to the radio.
Go through any of your favorite musicians, and you’ll likely find someone who had to work on their singing ability. If you compare their voice now to how they sounded when they first started, you’ll probably see a big difference. They may have had some genetic ability to help them get started, but they still had a lot to learn.”
- Broadway Lessons
The cultural significance of singing in the Philippines contributes to the omnipresence of singing teachers and voice training platforms within the country, featuring specialists who offer personalized vocal coaching and assist students in developing and honing their singing abilities to the highest levels and achieving artistic mastery. Therefore, it stands to reason that Filipinos are commonly portrayed as great singers because what you practice grows stronger.
Looking into how singing is branded as a cherished aspect of Filipino heritage steeped in history and intrinsically ingrained in the notion of cultural uniqueness — as well as being a source of both personal and social pride — we learn that music transcends vapid, watered-down interpretations that regard singing merely as a form of entertainment with therapeutic effects as an added bonus. Singing, regarded as a glorified cultural gem, teaches us how music unveils what is stored within our stories; it delves deep into the sincerity, emotions, and rawness that we can proudly embrace and connect with.
Singing is the language of the spirit that emanates from deep within and spreads outward to reverberate throughout other people’s realities. It serves as an uplifting invitation to become inspired. Whatever represents music or singing — be it lyricism, associated choruses, instrumentals, or the sporadic outpouring of exuberant emotion during a musical moment — constitutes a collective of little windows into a metaphorized other world. One gets lost in the transcendental yet transformative power of art. Singing is an artistic freedom of expression with which artists (including those aforementioned) have proven to be at the forefront of fanning the inner embers of possibility into a flame of achievement and self-fulfillment. Without singing, life would lose much of its savor.
Sources:
Guzman, P.de (no date) Are we Filipinos because we love music, or do we love music because we are Filipinos?, Tatler Asia. Available at: https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/historical-notes-on-why-filipinos-love-music (Accessed: December 5, 2022).
Anacin, C., Baker, D., & Bennett, A. (2021). Mimicking the mimics: problematizing cover performance of Filipino local music on social media. Media, Culture & Society, 43(8), 1414–1430. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437211029888
Masley, E. (2019, August 16). Journey singer Arnel Pineda says ‘I’m still pinching myself’ after landing dream gig. The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/01/journey-singer-arnel-pineda-plays-phoenix-benefit-concert-for-philippines/1895175001/
Peterson, C. (2016, August 12). Pinoy Pride : The reasons behind Broadway’s Rich Filipino Talent Pool. OnStage Blog. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2016/8/11/pinoy-pride-the-reasons-behind-broadways-filipino-talent-pool
Why are Filipinos so good at singing? these 5 reasons may explain why. Archipelago Files. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2022, from http://www.archipelagofiles.com/2015/02/why-are-filipino-good-at-singing.html
Can you learn to sing with voice training? Broadway Lessons. (2021, December 20). Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.broadwaylessons.com/voice-training-or-natural-talent/#:~:text=Some%20people%20are%20born%20with,some%20point%20in%20their%20lives.
PhilLife. (2020, December 1). Karaoke culture in the Philippines: Culture. Karaoke culture in the Philippines | Culture | Phillife.co. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.phillife.co/karaoke-culture-philippines/#:~:text=Karaoke%20is%20undoubtedly%20an%20integral,as%20part%20of%20the%20celebrations.
David DiMuzio. (2017). Why FILIPINOS Are The BEST SINGERS In The World [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved December 5, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlH5KOA75pg.
