Music: The Philippines, the Singing Capital of Asia

A/N

First of all, I would just like to share that I'm going to perform with my fellow students from the Medicine Glee Club in the upcoming Cultural Event of the Asian Medical Students' Association International, and it thrills me to think of meeting people from other countries. Please wish me luck. XD

It's no secret that eighty to ninety percent of Filipinos you meet can sing (and/or dance). It's because we are taught to perform at an early age. Every step you take, every corner you go around, you hear music. I remember reading somewhere that the Philippines was referred to as "The Italy of Asia" because of the Filipino people's love for music. For a regular Filipino, a celebration isn't complete without a karaoke machine. It's a common practice to tell others not to sing "My Way" because people have been killed for singing it off key here in the Philippines. People take time out of their busy lives to dedicate a few hours of the week to music, whether by joining a church choir, being a part of a glee club, or singing, composing, and doing covers of other songs. This, coupled with their quick adaptation to other languages, exposes the Filipino people to international music, and not just those that are sung in English or Filipino. Music is one of the reasons why the Philippines is a melting pot of Eastern and Western cultures.

***OC credits

Indonesia OC (Cahaya Gemilang) by: MariaJHB of deviantart

Brunei Darussalam OC (Zafran Abdullah Muhammad) by: Mr-Brunei-Darussalam of deviantart

Malaysia OC (Mira Hakeem) by: Otromeru of deviantart

They were in a large, air-conditioned session hall with large glass windows overlooking the beach. It was nearing sunset, and the tides were receding. The clear blue waters reflected the rose and orange sky and the immaculately white sand was tinged with gold. Inside the session hall were several people, and one in particular, with long, dark brown hair on which hung three small white flowers, was holding up a microphone.

"If I… should stay… I would only be in your way…"

"Is she actually going to sing that? Can she?" Im Yong Soo scooted closer and asked Kiku Honda. It was Maria's birthday, the twelfth of June, summertime in her tropical country, and they were having a large celebration on one of her country's most stunning beaches.

"So I'll go… But I know… I'll think of you every step of the way…"

"I berieve that she is onry getting started, Yong Soo-san… And prease do not invade my private space again so suddenry." Kiku replied as he moved a few inches away from Yong Soo. He had known the Filipina long enough to know that she never actually stops singing. It was odd, but after a few years of trade with her (he had known her before she was adopted by Antonio) he had gotten used to it.

"But I want to sing too, da-ze!" the South Korean complained as an over-excited Xiao Mei cheered her Filipina friend on.

"That's my Maria jiejie!" the Taiwanese shouted, making Wang Leon who was usually stoic and straight-faced look uncomfortable beside her.

"She is not going to let that mic go anytime soon, aru." Yao Wang patted Yong Soo on the back, laughing. He was carrying a tray of one of Maria's favorite comfort foods, dumplings… Although, admittedly, the Filipina had such a huge appetite that it was unladylike.

"B-but teacher - !" Young Soo was cut off from his rant by Maria.

"And I… Will always love you ohh I will always love you!"

Yong Soo gaped as Maria hit all the notes perfectly. Kiku and Yao laughed at his reaction, "I can not believe you are still surprised Maria can sing like that after knowing her for this long, aru."

Mei cheered again in her seat, beside the Vietnamese Lien Chung, who was about to approach Kasem Chao. Mei stopped her and whispered something in her ear. She deadpanned for a moment, doubting she would be of any help with Mei's schemes, but eventually nodded in agreement. As Maria continued to sing and Yong Soo continued to whine, causing Yao to laugh, the Vietnamese, the Taiwanese, and a certain Wang Leon snuck off to a secluded area.

"This is terrific, Lien jiejie! Maria jiejie loves fireworks! And Kiku aniki will be proud of me if he finds out I helped organize this …" Mei exclaimed, clapping her hands.

"We should get someone to set up a small pyromusical for her." Lien suggested. She turned to Leon, "Can it be done?"

Leon simply nodded, already on the job. "Leon is a genius with fireworks, Lien jiejie." Mei told Lien proudly.

"Is that so? Do you need any help, Leon?" Lien asked the Hong Kong male. Leon nodded and proceeded to tell them what assistance he required.

Meanwhile, Yong Soo was nearly in tears with Maria refusing to let go of the microphone and Yao constantly teasing and laughing at him. "Teacher! Maria's still singing!"

"Sing along with her, aru."

"But there's only one microphone."

"Split it in half, aru."

"I can't do that, da-ze!"

"Then leave the party and go find another karaoke machine. It will mean more food for everyone, aru!"

"Teacher!" Yong Soo bawled. Maria's Southeast Asian friends and family who were present were starting to laugh at the South Korean, who looked so melodramatic.

Kiku sighed and tapped Maria on the shoulder mid-song, "Maria-san, I berieve your food is ready."

The Filipina dropped everything and turned around. Yong Soo ran and caught the mic before it fell to the ground. Of course. How could he forget that one of the things that distracted Maria more than anything was food?

"Food? Where?" Kiku pointed to the table Yao was setting up, "Thanks Kuya Kiku!"

Yong Soo started to sing as Maria invited her sisters and other guests to eat, "Ate Nesia, Ate Malaya! Come eat! Everyone, please join me."

At that moment, Cahaya was brainstorming with Mira on how to make Zafran more noticeable. When Maria called them for dinner, the Indonesian saw the perfect opportunity to make her mini-drama series starring the Filipina and the Bruneian come true, "We'll be right there, Little Tawalisi. Why don't you ask this guy instead?" Cahaya pushed Zafran into Maria's view.

The flustered Bruneian, who from arriving at the venue had managed to stay away from the spotlight in favor of silently observing and mentally preparing himself to speak to Maria, suddenly found himself shoved directly in front of the object of his trepidation. "H-hello, Taw – I mean, Maria. Happy birthday."

He gave Maria one of his signature shy smiles, the ones that made her decide to favor the Bruneian centuries ago. Smiling ear to ear to avoid blushing, she thanked him, took his arm enthusiastically, and led him to the table, oblivious to Cahaya and Mira's thumbs up and Zafran's reddening face hidden behind the hand free from Maria's grasp.

"Where is Mr. Alfred? The American friend who claimed to be your hero?" Zafran asked Maria once they were seated.

"Oh, Kuya Alfred? We're going to celebrate my birthday, his birthday, and the Philippine-American Friendship Day at the same time, so no worries. Besides, I wanted this party to be exclusively for family. You can keep calling me Tawalisi, by the way… I don't mind."

"Isn't that more expensive?"

"Filipinos are weird that way when it comes to celebrations. I think I got it from Papa Antonio." Maria grinned at him. She then laughed when Yong Soo finished his song, "I will defeat you, Maria! High scores originated from Korea, da-ze!"

"Maybe in video games, but the karaoke is still mine, so keep trying, Yong Soo!" Maria replied, still laughing, "but in the meantime, you should come eat!"

As everyone started to settle down and eat, Zafran noticed Maria looking worried. "What's wrong, Tawalisi?"

"I haven't seen Mei, Lien, and Leon since earlier. Maybe something happened to them." The Filipina replied, twisting a lock of her hair. Zafran knew what that meant. Maria had not changed as much as other people thought; she had always had the habit of twisting her hair when she was anxious ever since he knew her.

Relieved that the new Tawalisi in front of him was not a complete stranger after all but also worried for the missing three, he started to search around the room as well.

Suddenly, Mei burst in from the main doors and asked them all to step outside.

"Maria jiejje, I hope you like fireworks." Mei told Maria proudly. Before Maria could question her further, the night sky was suddenly filled with bursts of color. Sparkles of gold, green, red, orange, yellow, and purple filled the air, all in time to some of Maria's favorite songs. She stared at the sky, a smile on her face as the lights reflected on her clear brown eyes.

"Mei, Lien, Leon… I don't know what to say… Thank you! That was wonderful!" Maria exclaimed as she hugged each one when the show of lights was over.

Maria then turned to everyone present, and bowing slightly, said, "Thank you, everyone, for being here today to celebrate my birthday."

Her eyes caught Yong Soo's, and both simultaneously glanced at the karaoke machine. All present laughed as the two sped through the crowd to be the first to sing.

"Why am I not surprised, aru?" Yao Wang shook, his head, laughing at the younger countries.

"Indeed, we should have expected this." Kiku Honda agreed, nodding.

Cahaya, Mira, and Mei merely laughed.