YouTube and the Pinoy (or Pinay, as it turns out)

Warning: Filipino post coming up. Out of respect to those who can’t relate, I’ll be giving a heads-up from now on so you can ignore these kinds of posts.

Despite YouTube’s popularity and my love of web stuff, I haven’t gotten into the whole anyone-can-make-videos fad yet. There are people who hang around YouTube watching anything and everything, sometimes even leaving a flaming comment here and there. Then there are people like me who only come to it when someone points a link her way or if she’s curious about the latest commercial (which she doesn’t see anymore thanks to the magic of fast-forward on her DVR).

A couple months back, Mishy introduced me to the comedy (and gorgeous voice) of a cute kid known as KevJumba. Such was my instant adoration that I finally registered a YouTube account just to leave a comment. While I was at it, I figured I should subscribe too. Unfortunately during a dry period of no KevJumba videos, I dropped off of YouTube again because really, who has the patience to watch a long rambling video blog done by someone else as n00b-y as myself?

I’ll tell you who: my BFM. In his boredom, he found some interesting vids. One long one in particular featured some YouTubers who I later found out were famous YouTube personalities. Like any community, there are a few elect people on the site who get really popular and who sometimes “crossover” with other personalities. Gone are those days where you were on your own, talking about just yourself. Now you have to respond to other people’s vids and face up to video comments or millions of judgmental text comments.

Among the famous personalities I saw in that video, I started to wonder why there were no big shot Filipino YouTubers. Considering that most Filipinos are naturally creative - kick-ass singers, extremely web savvy, awesome graphic artists etc. - you’d think they’d be taking advantage of this worldwide stage.

Silly me, I should’ve known - they have! BFM led me to Happyslip who can do an awesome Filipino accent that contrasts with her completely American accent. (It’s no surprise she can; I noticed that Fil-Ams have this weird fixation on imitating the Filipino accent. Another entry, perhaps…) I love her Boypren video, not only because she can portray so many different Filipino characters but also because it guests none other than KevJumba! Gosh, YouTube crossovers are fun indeed.

Boypren

Another great thing about YouTubers is their indie feel. KevJumba uses well-known artists but Happyslip keeps it indie with her music. In Boypren, she features this laid-back, catchy love song by a starting artist called Josh Verdes. It’s called “Save Me” and it is absolutely awesome. It’s like a late summer afternoon when the breeze is the right mix of warm and cool, or walking by the waterfront with someone while the day draws to a close. In pretty-speak, it’s groove-making.

The CD isn’t out yet but I’ll be waiting for it! In the meantime, I’m going to subscribe to Happyslip, bringing my subscriptions to a grand total of 2!

EDIT: Noticed I was getting hits for lyrics, so here you go! Transcribed by me so there may be errors. =)

“Save Me” Lyrics
by Josh Verdes

Save me
I feel like I’m goin’ crazy
I’ve got this lady
She’s got me on my knees
I’m sayin’ baby, baby please
Don’t leave tonight
Without giving me some of your lovin’
It makes me weak
Somebody save me

And lately, I feel like I’m goin’ crazy
I’ve got this lady
The way her lips just move
The way her hips just groove
The feeling I get when she says my name
It’s a feeling that never feels the same
Save me

Coz I’ve found a love that’s a one-of-a-kind
This time I’m in for it
I know I’m in it just way too deep
Someone, oh someone save me now

And lately, I know I’m goin’ crazy
I’ve got this lady
And now that’s all I think about
The next time i can take her out
I really don’t want to feel this way
But I think it’s already way too late
Save me
Oh oh oh oh

Coz I’ve found a love that’s a one-of-a-kind
This time I’m in for it
I know I’m in it just way too deep
Someone, oh someone save me

Coz I’ve been there
Way too many times before
And every time I say
It’s not gonna work
Not this time
So save me
Just save me
Somebody save me, yeah
Whoa

*guitar shtuff*

Coz I’ve found a love that’s a one-of-a-kind
This time I’m in for it
I know I’m in it just way too deep
Someone, oh someone
I said someone save, save me now
Save me now

*more guitar shtuff*