This is one-third of the pieces of writing I submitted for the MA Art Theory & Criticism application in UP Diliman.
I know I’m in Cubao when I hear that deep bass and synthesizers. Over the years, it just became a defining playlist in jeepneys around Cubao or in any part of the Philippines really. When that video of the girls dancing in worm-like movements came across my Facebook timeline, I along with thousands of Filipinos laughed at it of course. It was annoyingly fun watching and reenacting it while alcohol induced.
According to the U Do U Team, Budots originated from Baranggay Camus in Davao. It is a slang derived from tambays or those people drinking all day at your local sari-sari store. It is our very own version of “Harlem Shake” made by the local-techno music enthusiasts. The beats are composed of deep basses (so deep that you can feel the stereo shaking beneath the seats in jeepneys), static sounds, and blip synthesizers. Often a mix of popular songs of that season. To this day, people are honing the art of budots.
In the recent Philippine elections, Bong Revilla garnered 14,624,445 votes with his budots campaign. As other candidates campaigned by presenting their platforms, Bong Revilla did his tito dance to run for one of the most powerful seats in the government. This makes one question how effective budots was in attracting the attention of voters or Filipino citizens.
The Budots beats appeal to human senses in a positive way, it is associated with humor and a good time. And this fact was taken advantage by Bong Revilla’s campaign team. The masked Bong’s negative perception by using this psychology of beats and association making people think that he is one with the masses. When in reality, he just used pop culture for clout. Sometimes, Budots can drop some serious beats. Sometimes, Budots beats a promising future for our country.
References:
II, P. E. (2019, May 22). 12 new senators proclaimed, boosting Duterte’s power. Retrieved June 18, 2019, from https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/231245-12-new-senators-proclaimed-philippines-may-22-2019
Habal, S., & Habal, S. (2015, October 17). Budots Budots dance. The fun side of Philippines and Filipino people. Retrieved June 18, 2019, from https://medium.com/@habal/budots-budots-dance-the-fun-side-of-philippines-and-filipino-people-1dc31d7dd9e8
BUDOTS MIX: EDM of The Philippines. (2017, October 11). Retrieved June 18, 2019, from https://udou.ph/2017/10/11/budots-the-edm-of-the-philippines/