If you are interested in Asian Music or just plain curious about it, this blog will introduce you to the more popular and not so popular music artists from Asia. Just browse the site and maybe you’ll find something that will interest you.
Bands in the Philippines are big. Filipino Pop music, on the other hand, is a joke. No such thing as Filipino Pop anymore. Singers continually recycle old songs with the exception of some artists. When I say BIG (in reference to bands), bands are more popular. There are more popular bands than individual (pop) artists and there are no pop group artists. Bands are the front liners of Philippine music.
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East Asian pop artists are also know as “idols” and like what I’ve wrote in my other blogs, most of them cannot sing. But I am entertained (when I am able to tolerate their singing). That’s what I like–to be entertained. Besides, I don’t think artists here in the Philippines would just be plain “idols.” They can actually sing. I think RnB is more suited for Filipinos than Pop and might actually have a following. Bubblegum pop is not taken seriously by Filipinos. The other pop (the one which is not bubblegum LOL! what do you call it anyway?..) might be tolerable. I know grown-up people hate Bubblegum pop but let’s not forget there are also teenagers living in this country who likes it. Personally, I don’t like it. I dig Pop/RnB, though.
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While Filipino bands are getting more popular, Filipino pop is dying. All I can hear is sappy love songs that are a throwback in the 80s and the punchline is–80s love songs are still better sounding. Must be why they keep remaking those songs. One obvious observation is that most Filipino pop songs are ballads. Ballads are fine but it gets monotonous when that is all you can hear (pun intended!). It’s boring! This is one of my pet peeves regarding Filipino music. Hello!!!! Why can’t anyone produce a single RnB song?… Alright, I take that back. Some artists actually did but they weren’t popular. Someone should knock some sense on the marketing people of these record companies. Their marketing is weak. A lot of artists can pull this (genre) off so there’s no lack of talent. So.. what gives?
I blogged about this topic before. My fingers were just itching to type these words because yesterday I came across some vids of Rivermaya, a Filipino alternative rock band, performing in South Korea for the Asia Song Festival 2008. They were sticking like a sore thumb there. You know why? They were the only rock band who performed. The rest were all Pop groups and artists.
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Don’t get me wrong. I like Rivermaya, bought their albums, got LSS (Last Song Syndome, LOL!) from some of their songs. I just wish that Filipino Pop Artists were the ones who performed there. For the last two years (excluding this year), alternative rock artists represented the Philippines–Kitchie Nadal in 2006 and Barbie Almalbis in 2007. I hope next year it will be one of the Pop Artists even if they just sing pop ballad songs.
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I think the most likely candidate, if we are talking about singing and dancing, would be Sarah Geronimo. She can sing diva songs (the one where you belt out lyrics) and pop songs, rap, and dance. I searched for her older MVs and what do you know? I found Sa Iyo, a pop song. She looked so young. The song is very pop and so teenage-ish. She was 14 years old here. She is 20 now. The choreography is so easy. LOL! That’s given since dancing in Music Videos is not really popular in the Philippines. Not unless you are Gary Valenciano!
This is Everybody Get Down MV from Interactive album by Gary Valenciano. He is really good and he still dances like a 20-year-old even though he is over 40 years old now. This song was released in 1998.
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Sarah Geronimo has a new album. The album is Just Me with carrier single of I’ll Be There, a duet with Howie D. of Backstreet Boys. I did not like it at first but it grew on me. Note: (1) The MV was edited by the uploader. (2) The pink background was not in the original MV. (3) The MV was shot in one day.
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Here is another song in the album, also entitled Just Me.
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Just listening to this, I feel there is hope for Filipino Pop.
Sarah G. has a new album and it is entitled “JUST ME.” It is composed of 16 songs.
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01. I’ll Be There (Featuring Howie Dorough)
02. You’re The Love Of My Life
03. Dahil Mahal Mo Ako
04. Where Only Angels Fly
05. Silence
06. One Little Kiss
07. I Belong To You
08. Just Me
09. Look Inside Ourselves
10. Kahit Mahal Mo Ay Iba
11. Played
12. Sweet Memories
13. I Am Falling
14. What Have You Done To My Heart
15. Remind Me To Forget You
16. Movie Love
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All of the songs are all original songs except “Sweet Memories” which is a remake of a Japanese song (translated to English). The album is pop overall. “Silence,” “Played,” “Just Me,” and “Movie Love” are upbeat songs. The rest are ballads. “I’ll Be There” is the carrier single which also features Howie D. who is a member of the famed boyband group, Backstreet Boys. As of this time (09/27/08), Howie is in the Philippines to promote the single with Sarah. I haven’t heard the whole album, but based on the preview, it is quite good for a pop album. I was a little disappointed because I really want her to do some RnB songs. Oh well, this is a start, I guess.
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I have a request to the producers/managers of Sarah (as if they will read this blog LOL!), please give her RnB materials. She’s really good in this. But again, thanks a bunch because the songs are all originals (except for one) and that’s really great. I hate to say it, but the OPM (at least in the pop genre) “revival trend” sucks!!! I can only name few artists who got mostly or all original songs in an album. Ex. Gary V, Ogie Alcasid…. uh.. uh.. sorry can’t find any more right now… and these two do not exactly belong to the new generation of artists! Nuff said.
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The songs are pop, yes. But the arrangements, vocal and musical, are notable because it didn’t conform to the Filipino pop where it sounds “two dimensional.” In this album, you get the “three dimensional” thing. LOL! What I mean is — more musical instruments used, the vocals have some acrobatic stuff going on but it doesn’t hurt your ears. Easy listening, yes. I’m very sure anyone will find a song here that will trigger the LSS (Last Song Syndrome).
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Haiizzz (sigh.. sigh). Although I really want an Rnb albumfor Sarah, I still like this album and I’m GOING TO BUY IT! Harharhar!
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So for some last ditch effort — PLEASE VIVA (Sarah’s mgmt. company) BOSSES, MAKE AN R&B ALBUM FOR SARAH. NEXT YEAR, PLEASE!!!!
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BTW, curious as to what she sounds like in this album? Watch this! (err… listen actually LOL!)
I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I’m older
Now this mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
I through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder
In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve travelled so far
To change this lonely life
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
I’m gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me
In my life there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
I can’t stop now, I’ve travelled so far
To change this lonely life
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
And I wanna feel, I want to feel what love is
And I know, I know you can show me
Let’s talk about love
I wanna know what love is, the love that you feel inside
I want you to show me, and I’m feeling so much love
I wanna feel what love is, no, you just cannot hide
I know you can show me, yeah
I wanna know what love is, let’s talk about love
I want you to show me, I wanna feel it too
I wanna feel what love is, I want to feel it too
And I know and I know, I know you can show me
Show me love is real, yeah
I wanna know what love is…
Ilang bahaghari ang aking hinabol
Ilang pangarap ang nakawala
Lahat ng yaman pati mga kaibigan
na nagkukunwari di lahat bumalik
Iisa lamang ang may panindigan
[Chorus]
Dahil ikaw lamang ang hindi lumisan
Tunay na kaibigan lagi kang nandyan
O ikaw lamang ang hindi nang-iiwan
Nararapat lang ika’y pasalamatan
Ikaw, ikaw, ikaw
Ikaw, ikaw, ikaw
(la la la la la la la la)
Ikaw, Ikaw
(la la la la la la la)
Ang nais kong pasalamatan
(la la la la la)
Ikaw, ikaw
Nasan ang pag ibig sa madilim na paligid
lahat maskara puso’y nakasara
Panandaliang aliwan kahit baliwan
pagbagsak ay wakas unti unting tatakas
Iisa o isa ang di nagpa-isa
[repeat Chorus]
Salamat, salamat
Ikaw, Ikaw
Salamat, salamat
Ikaw, Ikaw
Iisa lamang ang may panindigan
I love you
I don’t know what else to say
’cause I long for you more each day
I need you
I want to feel your embrace
And have a chance to touch your face
I was lost and alone
But you showed me the way
Now I call you my own
Things will never be the same
How could I’ve known
You will hold me close so tenderly
Even though I’m alone
I can feel your arms enfolding me
And that love, became mine in just one night
When you held me tight
Oooh… it felt so right
I feel you
You’re always here in my heart
It’s where I’ve kept you since we fell apart
I was lost and alone
But you showed me the way
Can’t go on, on my own
Wishin’ that you would stay
How could I’ve known
You will hold me close so tenderly
Even though I’m alone
I can feel your arms enfolding me
And that love, became mine in just one night
When you held me tight
Oooh… it felt so right
I was lost and alone
But you showed me the way
Can’t go on, on my own
Wishin’ that you would stay
Tell me that you would stay…
How could I’ve know (how could I’ve known… ohh)
(Ooh)You will hold me close so tenderly (oohh)
(Ooh)Even though I’m alone
I can feel your arms enfolding me (your arms enfold me)
And that love, became mine in just one night
When you held me tight
Oooh… it felt so right
Felt so right…
Hmmm… felt so right.
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Info: This MV was taken from a TV drama (Bituing Walang Ningning ) where Sarah Geronimo is the lead star.
Just when I thought our love was here to stay
Just when I thought you’ll never ever go away
You said it’s time for you to go
But I’m not sure I really know
Why you are leaving
And when we finally say our last goodbye
I’ll never make it hard for you
You won’t even see me cry
And though there’s tears inside of me
I’m gonna let your heart go free
Before you leave
There’s just one thing
That I want you to know
[Chorus]
I still believe in loving you
Inspite of all the hurts that I’m going through
Even if again and again you’d break my heart
One thing would never change
I still believe in loving you
If you would tell me that you’ll be alright
I’ll never let you see me blue
But I’ll keep our love alive
And though I’m feeling incomplete
I guess that this is what you need
Before you leave
There’s just one thing
That I want you to know
[Chorus 2x]
One thing would never change
I still believe in loving you
Can this be love I’m feeling right now
I know for certain I’m feeling right now
I don’t recall ever feeling this way
Tell me what does one sayTo one who makes me feel this way
Can this be love I’m feeling right now
I am not sure of this feeling somehow
Why do I tremble whenever you’re near
I can’t seem to say my words so you’ll hear
CHORUS:
This is the first time I’m gonna say “I love you”
It’s the first time I ever felt so helpless deep inside
If I had to say a thousand times I’d tell you once again
This is the first time I’m gonna say “I love you”
Can this be love I’m feeling right now
I love the feeling it’s giving me now
A voice inside me is guiding me now
It’s telling me now
To take your hands and say
CHORUS:
This is the first time I’m gonna say “I love you”
It’s the first time I ever felt so helpless deep inside
If I had to say a thousand times I’d tell you once again
This is the first time I’m gonna say “I love you”
(higher notes)
This is the first time I’m gonna say “I love you”
It’s the first time I ever felt so helpless deep inside
If I had to say a thousand times I’d tell you once again
This is the first time
This is the first time
It’s the first time
I’m gonna say “I love you”
“I love you”
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Trivia:
This is a remake of the song originally sung by group Smokey Mountain’s Geneva Cruz and is the main theme song for the movie of the same title, “Can This Be Love,” starring Sandara Park and Hero Angeles.
still recall the warmth of the night
try to ease the pain in my heart
and now that your out of my sight
tears fall from these eyes
echoes of my voice slowly die fears in every corner of my mind
and even if it’s over
still can’t bear with time
how could you go?
how could you say goodbye?
it hurts inside cause by now
still can’t find the reason why love can’t lie
knowing that my life is so unkind
so leave my thoughts and mem’ries behind
but angels brought me to the past
i’m with you at last
*in you i have found my life
you brought me to paradise
happiness that i can’t hide
i feel inside
(repeat chorus)
instrumental
(repeat*)
chorus….still can’t find the reason why it’s hard to try with cryin’ all the time
my fate is you
and somehow keep myself from lovin’ you
love can’t lie
If there is something then at least just say it
I wanna know what this could mean for us
What do you have when it happens?
I think they call it love
I’ll take a breath and let my feelings show
Cause we’re exploring territories never known
Like the first time you sing
And all of the happiness it brings
[chorus]
Carry my love through all the seasons
Carry my heart inside the reasons
You are my prayer – my every thought
That I will guard at any cost
You are my safe inside the storm
And in your arms I am at home
Every emotions that’s uncharted
Gives me a joy from where we started
No matter if we take it slow
It doesn’t really change a thing, you know
It’s like you fall through the floor
And everyday being born into our love again
We’re like the seams inside the picture we sewn
And our reflection shines on every cornerstone
Our world begins with the dawn
It’s guiding us through the midnight stars
[repeat chorus]
(you’re all my dreams)
We keep the best things and the good we have (you’re everything)
We count our blessings everyday we can (safe in my heart)
I wanna say the words and they’re truthful (I love who you are)
With all the love around you know I need you (without you I’m lost)
You are a dream I hope will never end
For all the beauty of you making love to me again
Tell me I won’t be alone
That we’ll be together for all time
