Music in Taiwan

The Chinese here in the Philippines are pretty much the same with the Filipinos in terms of musical taste. They find it easy to assimilate with the Filipinos since both races watch the same music channels and listen to the same radio stations. In fact, since more and more Asian groups (including Chinese artists) are gaining exposure in the country, Filipinos also learned to listen to Chinese music.

In earlier generations however, it was much more different. Although the Chinese know some Filipino songs, they still listen more to Chinese songs. Many classic songs are still highly popular in the Chinese community until now. When you go to Chinese birthday parties or wedding parties, you'll often hear classic Chinese songs being played or performed in the event.

I'm not really into old music, but I find myself appreciating some Chinese songs. I'm amazed how these songs had lasted despite all the years that passed. Feng Fei Fei and Teresa Teng are highly popular singers of Chinese old songs. Ask any middle aged Chinese and they'll surely know these singers. And even to younger generations, I'm sure they are familiar with the tune of those songs even if many of them might not know the title or the lyrics.

Read more about Feng Fei Fei or Teresa Teng by clicking on the links provided:

Feng Fei Fei:
http://lyrakua.blogspot.com/2012/02/tribute-to-chinese-legend-hat-wearing.html

Teresa Teng:
http://lyrakua.blogspot.com/2011/07/very-old-chinese-song.html

When it comes to the newer Chinese music, I bet a number of Filipinos are already familiar with many songs. Language barrier may not be an issue to stop them from listening to foreign songs. Since the phenomenal Taiwan drama Meteor Garden, Taiwan music was slowly introduced as well. The sensational quartet F4 who starred the drama became so popular that some Filipinos could even sing the lyrics from memory. Now that their season has somehow abated, the media shifted to Korean music. And to me K-Pop has become a more popular Asian music in the country nowadays.

But Chinese music hasn't completely died down in the country. Many Chinese still patronize songs with Chinese lyrics, especially music from Taiwan. I'm not sure why, but music from Mainland China wasn't very well exposed here in the country.

Anyway, if you are interested in Taiwan music specifically, here are some of the articles introducing the popular artists in Taiwan (more will be added soon):

S.H.E.
http://www.squidoo.com/taiwan-girl-group-s-h-e

Show Luo  
http://www.squidoo.com/asias-dance-king-show-luo

Feng Shui in Chinese Homes

Dragons are believed to attract good energy. (Source: Amazon)

Feng shui is a big part of the Chinese culture. If you happen to be an interior designer or architect, you will find many of your Chinese clients to be demanding certain arrangments that are according to their feng shui practices.

When you visit Chinese homes, you will often see home decors that are believed to bring good fortune to the dwellers. Lucky bamboos, bamboo flutes, certain paintings, water fountains, and crystals are just some of the things that not only act as great decors but enhance the good energy in feng shui.

You might probably find it hard to believe how a certain arrangement of things can change ones fate. Feng shui might appear to you as a set of supertitions that have no scientific basis at all. To me, I grew up in a community that is deeply ingrained with feng shui. I honestly cannot understand how feng shui influences life events as well. But I have come to accept it as part of our culture. After all, the lucky bamboo, the dragons, the lucky cat - these are all adorable decors that define your home. They show a lot about the culture in the home.

The fact is, some people are diehard believers of feng shui. They relate their unfortunate events to a bad feng shui. Thus, when this happens, they ask for a feng shui expert for a home visit to bring about a remedy. Some people might desire for love, and rely on feng shui to achieve that goal. Some long for children, some for a great career. To those people, feng shui is the answer.

If you are interested to decorate your home with feng shui items, visit this page: Feng Shui for the Home.