8 Pinoy Songs That (Shamelessly) Cashed In On Our Favorite Expressions
By Kel Fabie
At any given point in time, from “repapips” to “push mo ‘yan,” the Filipino lexicon has always been inundated with expressions that date you. By extension, these same expressions, while popular, almost invariably spawn a song of some type, and the references in those songs are just as dated as the expression itself.
Here are just 8 of those songs that shamelessly tried to cash in on these expressions just for the sake of recall value…
8. Ano Ba ‘Yan
The Expression: As an expression that really became popular during the early ‘90s, “Ano ba ‘yan” was one of those expressions we still use to this day, but with far less frequency. It used to punctuate every other sentence, and Vic Sotto was particularly notorious for using this expression.
The Cash-In:
Extra cash-in points for making a movie about it!
The Singing Cooks and Waiters, ATBP., made it a point to milk the expression for all that it was worth with a song that featured elements of a typical horror-comedy film. The amount of time this expression was in vogue is probably double the amount of time the Singing Cooks and Waiters, ATBP. was ever relevant.
7. DOTA o Ako
The Expression: Still used a bit to this very day, “DOTA o Ako” is the Sophie’s Choice of this generation of Filipinos – do you choose the woman you love, or the game you love even more? For many people, it isn’t even a question.
The Cash-In:
The movie barely counts, but in a just world, it should.
Hello, Jeje Rap! We missed you so. One of the better-rapped songs out there with a catchy chorus, as a song, “DOTA o Ako” at least captures the spirit of the expression it’s trying to illustrate. You could do worse than this.
6. Wala ‘Yan Sa Lolo Ko
The Expression: One of the oldest expressions on this list, “Wala ‘yan sa lolo ko” is an often-repeated line in the classic “lolo” jokes. Every Filipino knows at least one of those jokes, right?
The Cash-In:
Fliptop minus the pageantry is NOT Fliptop.
Probably one of the least standout songs here, “Wala ‘Yan Sa Lolo Ko” as a rap song between M. Zhayt and Twobal G is just underwhelming. To its credit, the lyrics are all about how amazing their respective lolo’s are, and you can’t ask for much more beyond that, right? After all, asking for something actually decent from these two would clearly be asking for too much.
5. Ikaw Na
The Expression: Formerly used as a passive-aggressive insult, “ikaw na” has morphed into a compliment to a person who has done something or is someone who can merit an “ikaw na” moment from other people. Normally, when you do something amazing, or look amazing, people will marvel at you with an “ikaw na,” and you beam proudly in response. When used in the first person, “ako na” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as someone else singing your praises, because it’s pretty damned narcissistic.
Unless said in this context, that is.
The Cash-In:
Can we go back to Jeje rap instead? Who the hell are these guys?!?
It’s a pop ballad by the Perkins Twins (who?)! “Ikaw Na” is one of those insipid songs that tries to make a love song out of an in-vogue saying, and it grates on the ears like most insipid pop ballads do.
