Only in the Philippines, many like to say and this just happens to be the first thing that comes to my mind whenever I watch game shows on local TV. The Americans have their dry humor, sleek sets, and sexy girls, while the Japanese have their crazy antics coupled with their equally colorful concepts and sets but only in the Philippines do you find a well-respected middle-aged composer wearing a bee-themed suit attempting to prove that age is just anumber by break dancing in the middle of a game show stage. Sounds strange? Yes, I suppose it does but it’s what makes every bit of The Singing Bee a very, very good bit of entertainment.
Similar to a Philippine fiesta, The Singing Bee boasts festive flavor the only way Filipinos know how make it—through music and comedy. The show starts with a loud blast of music, song and dance coupled with energy levels so high, it can cause even the most lethargic to dance with excitement. The Honeybees, the official dancers of the show, strut their stuff down the aisle parting the front portion of the audience. Michael Cruz, that night’s opening performer of the Songbees (the show’s group of extremely talented singers) gave his all while singing “Ulan” by Rivermaya. Cesar Montano, the show’s charismatic host, said his opening lines with whole-hearted gusto before heading over to the audience to interact with them. Mel Villena, the show’s resident arranger and spontaneous comedian was up to his antics again, cracking a joke or two and teasing Mr. Montano. Laughter and music bounced off the studio walls, making the place a noisy and happy venue much in contrast to the quiet and busy hallways just outside. I knew that the show was fun but watching it live, I know now that fun was an understatement.
The set seemed small for a show this popular but it also gave a cozy feeling that big shows like Wowowee and Eat Bulaga wouldn’t otherwise be able to provide. The design was flashy and eye-catching with many contrasts between the mostly black backdrop and other set-props. To the left of the stage hung gigantic silver notes and to the middle and the right hung colossal screens, miniscule versions of the Times Square billboards, that displayed visual aids and the logo. All around snaked tubes filled with tiny twinkling lights, giving the the stage much of its brightness. The floor was translucent and fitted with white lights. The seats could not contain more than seventy at most and this made it feel as though we were closer to the host and, at the same time, it made it easier for the host to reach out to his live audience. The small size of the studio also made it easier for the Bandble Bee (the show’s resident band) and the staff and crew to regulate the sound system.
The first episode being taped for the day had a rain theme to celebrate the rainy season and the impending typhoon. Nearly everything, from the songs to the contestants had something to do with rain. There were men from the Navy Alert and Rescue team garbed in their uniforms and equipment, employees from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (otherwise known as PAG-ASA) and there were even bangkeros (boatmen) who help ferry people on their boats during heavy floods. Songs ranged from the old to new, local to foreign with very familiar classics such as B.J. Thomas’ Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head and provincial jukebox staples like Aegis’ Basang-Basa sa Ulan. The versatile Bandble Bee and Songbees handled the wide range of genres very well, with the Bandble Bee adding some old-school jazz flavor with their trumpets and brass and with the Songbees adding little comedic touches using their spontaneous choreography and expressions.
Not to be outshone, the contestants proved themselves just as interesting as the regulars. At the start of each show, each team must show the audience a sample of either their singing or dancing. Usually the audience is greeted with over-enthusiastic karaoke and dance numbers but in the spirit of good fun, applause and praise is given. It’s also hilarious to see Cesar Montano turn to the director for comments on the performances. The director then channels his inner Simon Cowell to write messages on the huge screen behind the contestants. With double-edged comments such as “Magaling ka kumanta, sana naintindihan ko lang” (You sing well but I wish I could understand what you were singing) who else would he turn to for inspiration but American Idol’s resident killjoy, Simon Cowell himself? Team Jaiho, filled with contestants of Indian descent, treated the audience with a dance to the song from the hit indie-flick, Slumdog Millionaire, Team Iisang Bangka performed a tribute to the King of Pop with Billy Jean, dancing and beatboxing and Team Bagyo, composed of men from the MMDA Flood control department, performed the novelty song Ocho-ocho.
The Singing Bee is very much a fiesta (a Philippine festival); from the music to the performances to even the twinkling lights on stage. The only things missing are free food and the scorching Philippine heat. The lack of food from this celebration doesn’t seem to be noticed by anyone in the studio at all. In fact , most of them seem to be doing fine without it. The show’s host is accommodating to his guests, never failing to speak to a balikbayan (a Filipino back from working or living abroad) or even a foreign member of the audience displaying the traditional Filipino value of hospitality. The music and the dancing is a testament to our countrymen’s love for the performing arts. Each bit of this show is unabashedly Filipino and simply so much fun. Undoubtedly, The Singing Bee is one of the best that Philippine Primetime has to offer.
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