Here’s one fun fact that anyone who loves to sing might find interesting: a research study conducted by the Royal College of Music in London in 2017 has proven that singing helps reduce stress by lowering the amount of cortisol–the stress hormone–in the body. In addition, the study also states that the effects of singing in boosting one’s happiness are even more effective when the activity is performed by a group or shared within a community.
This is probably one of the most solid proofs that explain why we as Filipinos consider a good round of videoke as something synonymous with happy moments together. With the pandemic leaving us with no other choice but to adjust to the ‘new normal’ and the most recent changes shifting us to the ‘next normal,’ simple bonding moments like this had to keep up with the times. The good news? We didn’t really have to let go of something as close to our hearts as singing even during these trying times. We simply needed it to evolve so that it could fit into our lives.
That’s the main rationale behind Bahay Entablado 2.0, a singing community started by leading home entertainment brand Grand Videoke, to spread good vibes across social media. Now on its second year of run, the interactive campaign once again invited talented members of the media to share some of their song numbers following the theme of LSS or Last Song Syndrome. Also doubling as a virtual singing contest, the campaign also invited renowned names in the world of theater and performance arts like Ava Santos (Freestyle), Reb Atadero (Ang Huling El Bimbo, the Musical), and OJ Mariano (The Company) to act as mentors to the participants.
More than just providing helpful tips on how to connect with their audience and how to choose the best song, however, the three also shared nuggets of life lessons that are very timely to the current climate the rest of us are facing.
“We can reinvent ourselves and begin again. You can unlearn, relearn, and learn more if you want to,” Ava said after sharing her initial struggles during the pandemic when she had to cope with the cancellation of live performances. From back when her life revolved around the stage, she managed to make a shift by entering the Sales and Marketing industry. Still, Ava grounded herself by finding other ways to express her love for singing–in her case, by performing regular FB lives.
“It pays to have a creative outlet,” she continues. “For me, singing is an easy way of spreading the good vibes which we all needed during the pandemic.”
Mentors OJ and Reb, on the other hand, focused on other tips that could be easily applicable to singing as much as they could apply in everyday life. “Be genuine and enjoy the moment,” Reb says as a piece of quick advice. In a time when people are expected to keep their distance, finding other ways of connecting with each other is important. OJ adds, “Sing to express and not to impress.” Technique may be important, but at the end of the day, what really matters is whether you’re enjoying what you are doing or not.
All of these concepts are something that Grand Videoke has always fully supported as a brand, even more so during the pandemic. The company, which is under the management of Audio-Video Solutions Corporation, has provided more focus on spreading joy during the most trying times of the past few years by giving the market the channel and the means to enjoy something they’ve always held close to their heart.
Grand Videoke, in particular, provides the same enjoyment of singing at home with its products that includes top-of-the-line features like Perfect Pitch, a voice coach feature that helps anyone sing like a pro. Moreover, the videoke unit is also designed for easy virtual sharing and connecting with friends and family via the GV Smart App–where you can send fun messages or easily save your videos to share on social media–and robust compatibility that lets up to four smartphones connect to the main unit.
Through the use of Grand Videoke and the Bahay Entablado 2.0 campaign, the brand was able to bring together a community that is focused on spreading joy and inspiration to everyone. Similar to the tip of OJ when it comes to delivering the best performance–“It is important to find the best part of the song. It can be a verse or a chorus. Whatever it is, look for the hook”–the virtual campaign succeeded in its goal of helping people refocus their attention and love for things. Instead of finding the best hook in a song number, however, everyone is encouraged to look for the best part of life, despite all its challenges at the moment.
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