When a Filipino singer takes the stage, everyone stops to listen! Why are there so many powerhouse singers among us? Are we really born with golden voices? Vocal arranger Jingle Buena dives into the technical and cultural reasons behind our karaoke prowess. Plus, we take a peek behind the scenes of the biggest karaoke competition in the world with KWC Philippines.

Ever belted out a karaoke classic and wondered, "Sino'ng gumawa ng backing track na 'to?" Music arranger Brian Cua pulls back the curtain on the unseen (and unheard of) world of karaoke production. How are these instrumental versions recorded? And why do some sound almost like the real thing, but many sound like the same instruments reused over and over?
We dedicate this episode to a friend of the show, Joe Salcedo (1996-2025), who shared his experience as a karaoke arranger with us. Thank you, Joe!

You’ve heard it hundreds of times before every movie. Now, meet the man behind the MTRCB stinger. Musician and guitarist of The Dawn, Francis Brew, shares how he came up with the five notes that make up that iconic sound.

Learn how we form habits around the sound of places like MRT stations, plus how language can influence the way we hear, with Dayang "Doc D" Yraola of the UP College of Fine Arts.

Go behind the music as Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, and Norman Agatep of Bukas Palad Music Ministry share how timeless songs like “Hindi Kita Malilimutan” came to life.

In five seconds or less, sonic logos can make you think of your favorite fast food or a digital bank. How do those tiny tunes at the end of commercials get stuck in our heads? And what can they do for a brand? Hit Productions music head Mike Villegas and Francis Brew of The Dawn reveal the stories behind some of the most recognizable Pinoy sonic logos, breaking down the strategy behind the sounds that sell.
Read the 2022 US Audio Logo Index by Veritonic to learn more about effective sonic logos!

From noontime TV to vlogs, Filipino comedy is loud and proud. Why do we use so many sound effects, and who decides what sounds are funny? Former UP College of Media and Communication professor Jun Austria traces the history of sound effects from radio to TV, and we learn how sound became key to making us laugh out loud—literally.

There's more to it than just a sales pitch. Dayang "Doc D" Yraola, a curator and UP College of Fine Arts associate professor, unpacks how these calls became part our daily soundscape and what they say about Filipinos.

Recordings of Chater Road in Central, Hong Kong come from Dayang Yraola. Learn more about our guest and her work here!