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