Be Cool

Pinoy cool Posted 07:22pm (Mla time) May 20, 2005 By Katrina HoligoresInquirer News Service Editor's Note: Published on Page C2 of the May 21, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
NOBODY really wants to admit to being baduy. In fact, I still have to find the exact English translation of the word. Maybe the closest would be uncool.
Most of us want to be cool or at least be deemed cool, popular or hip. There are those who say they are rebels, not realizing that, in their rebellion, they are, of course, still wanting to be cool.
Does that make any sense? Sure it does. We would be hard pressed to find someone who does not care to be a model of baduy-ness. Wanting to be different or not part of a crowd doesn't mean you DON'T want to be cool. In fact, NOT being part of a crowd could make you the absolute icon of cool.
(Yawn) Really. Enough. The last thing I'm sure you need is a lesson on what's cool and what's not. Besides, I'm not an expert on either; I just know what I like, whether it's en Vogue or en Liwayway.
Theme for this weekend is Filipino pride, and yes there is a lot to be proud of but I don't want to talk about the usual. When asked what makes the Philippines beautiful, you will probably hear: Boracay's white sands, Banaue's rice terraces, Bohol's Chocolate Hills and butanding-watching in Donsol, Sorsogon. Truly a list that meets international standards (applause). I hope none of the above gets crossed out of the list for environmental reasons and people's apathy.
Now, here is my own list: beauty pageants, bading speak, bideoke (ok, I'm pushing it) and Bulagaan 2005. Ah, I can see eyes roll. I do feel MY list also extols true beauty.
Now before you stop reading, allow me to defend my choices.
PageantsWhat I am most proud of about being part of a race that has gone through more than its share of coups (huh again?) and EDSA movements (huh again?) is its sense of humor.
Honestly, beauty pageants are probably among the most entertaining forms of gaming known to people. From the minute a child can walk it should also be able to wear a tiara and a sash. Gender is irrelevant; there are more than enough categories to go around.
The coup de grace of any pageant is always the question and answer portion. Some of the responses from the prettiest faces are quoted more often than passages from the Scripture.
Most of us have probably laughed till we cried at how Miss........ from ...........City answered a final question. Some contestants can have a future in stand-up comedy, and should get a crown.
Bading speakUnless you are new in town bading is the current popular term for "bakla", euphorically happy man who loves other men or euphorically happy woman who loves other women. Knowing some gay speak gives a little cachet that can get you in the company of movers and shakers in popular media.
It has become a growing personal obsession to discover the beginnings of some words because I feel that most reflect humor, and a bit of genius. Tolkien did it with LOTR, taking words from several languages to come up with Elvish (no, not the singer, but the language spoken by elves).
Creators of Swardspeak deserve a limp- wristed, cologne-dabbed pat on the back. Chika!
BideokeOk, videoke (hey, our ex colonizers pronounced "V" and "B" the same way), video and karaoke. The passion for singing and well, singing EVERYWHERE is a source of pride.
Bursting into song has never been so easy, and you can attract an appreciative (or angry) crowd even without a recording contract. Being self-conscious is a non-issue. Class and the risk of being laughed at are irrelevant.
Filipinos love to sing, and like just as much making fun of others who sing. Of course, unless they are blessed with perfect pitch, they may also be the ones being laughed at. But in a videoke group, it may seem like they are laughing with you... ignorance can be bliss.
PhenomenonBulagaan 2005 is a comic skit in what I can safely say is a phenomenon in Philippine noontime viewing, Eat Bulaga. Call it whatever you want, it is a show that has lasted longer than some networks. If Helen of Troy launched a thousand ships, this show has launched a thousand skits.
Bulagaan is a classic, a classroom full of students singing for a passing grade. Despite the jokes being gloriously corny, "Sir, I have a knock knock", and most of the singing close to atrocious, it just works. It connects, it has a following, and it combines everything on my list: beauty contests (or pretty hosts), bading, bideoke and plain old Filipino humor.
Yes, it's baduy at its best. Those of you who raise a threaded eyebrow at me, here's a pie in your face. (canned maniacal laughter)