Bisaya/Cebuano music? Is there such thing? Throwing such question will only lead to the discussion folk music and whatnot. But I’m talking about commercial music. Popular music with Bisaya lyrics. No doubt, I’ve heard many great Bisaya songs of this time, and by great I mean musically great (by the standards of popular music), well the lyrics weren’t bad either, doesn’t matter, the point is:
What is really the difference between say a Tagalog pop song and a Bisaya pop song other than language? There is none. Remove the text, and both will still be derivative of western pop songs. Culture? sensibilities? humor? If so, then it’s no longer about music, and I bet there are other, more effective art forms to convey such ideas than music.
So what do we mean when we say; “Padayon Bisaya music.”? That Bisaya people are good in songwriting too? Who thought otherwise? Perhaps that Bisaya songs should be just as prominent in the industry as the Tagalog or English songs? Or does it simply encourage more Visayan songwriters to write in their own dialect? If it’s the latter, then great, but bear in mind they will not be understood by non-visayans. But then again why force them to? Do we want more Bisaya songs in Myx? Or MTV? Or in nationwide radios? I will fight to the death for the belief that commercial success does NOT always signify good music, or true artistry for that matter.
Yes, write more Bisaya songs. In fact, if you please, Tagalog, English, Maranao, Hiligaynon, etc. But if we TRULY are creators of MUSIC, does language matter? Music speaks for itself. Music is the “universal”… well you know the rest.
Promote your songs, promote stories, promote love, promote beauty, promote art. There is no need to promote language.