March 2003
Destination: Manila

Singing the Night Away
by Tara Perez

At the end of the day, people look forward to a little relaxation and release of stress and tension. So what is it that most Filipinos do to achieve this? They gather a circle of friends and look forward to a night out that is full of entertainment and recreation. Usually, people go to disco houses and live band bars to ease their night away. However, a new entertainment and recreation found its way into the scene of Filipino night life — Karaoke.

KTV bars in the Philippines are known to be the favorite recreation sites of Japanese tourists but it was never really known to be the scene for Filipino night life. At the turn of the millennium, the introduction of video karaoke machines in arcades captured the attention of people because these machines actually rated the singer’s talent. As human nature has it, competitiveness and persistence to beat the highest score captured the interest of Filipinos. In addition, the production of karaoke microphones provided people with home karaoke systems (so they c an practice singing at home and compete against their friends in karaoke bars). Thus, people began to hang around in KTV bars.

So why do people like to hang out in KTV? Well, according to some regular KTV bar goers, its becuase of the way these bars are desinged. The bars are nice and “classy” and equipped with nice comfortable couches that makes the moment even more relaxing. The latest videoke machines and the latest songs (both foreign and local) can keep people up all night trying to sing all the songs that are available. Also, the bars makes the customers appreciate the place more because of its dual function as a restaurant and KTV bar. There’s nothing like pigging out and singing each other away. No more singing and conducting your own bathroom concerts. Bring your friends, ready your money and head towards the nearest KTV bar and have in ming the moto, “If I sing, you sing!”

Club Koi Karaoke
1712 Roxas Blvd.
Pasay City
Tel. 524-4077

Club Roponggi Karaoke
526 Sta. Monica
Manila
Tel. 526-1363

Encore Karaoke Center
North Ave. cor. EDSA
Quezon City
Tel. 455-0635, 927-2301

IO Family KTV
3/F Jupiter Place
136-138 Jupiter St., Bel-Air
Makati City

Music 21 Plaza
Bel-Air II
Makati City

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At io, you're a star! Knowing that Filipinos are music lovers and born singers, i.o. Family KTV becomes the perfect gimmick spot for both the family and the barkada.

At the end of the day, people look forward to a little relaxation and release of stress and tension. So what is it that most Filipinos do to achieve this? They gather a circle of friends and look forward to a night out that is full of entertainment and recreation.

Filipino amateur bands converge at the annual Univesity of the Philippines' fair.