Categories: Need to know

Karaoke spurs killings in Philippines

Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” is especially problematic

by macleans.ca on Monday, February 8, 2010 6:10pm - 13 Comments

In the Philippines, karaoke-goers are killing each other over the song “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, the New York Times reports. While authorities don’t know exactly how many fatal fights have occurred as a result of karaoke, media reports have recorded at least six victims in a decade, spawning a subcategory of crime called “My Way Killings.” Karaoke bars are removing the song from playbooks, and singers are avoiding it as a matter of self-preservation. In karaoke, get-togethers often involve karaoke, and karaoke machines can be found outdoors in rural settings. Filipinos pride themselves on singing, suggesting they may have a lower tolerance for bad singers. Most killings have reportedly occurred when the singer sang out of tune. “The Philippines is a very violent society, so karaoke only triggers what already exists here when certain social rules are broken,” Roland B. Tolentino, a pop culture expert at the University of the Philippines, told the daily, noting that the song’s “triumphalist” nature might contribute to violence.

New York Times

http://www.wearewinning.net chaplain jim

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. Christ is coming back soon….all the signs are there.
fuddle duddle

it's also not recommended you try to sing "I Shot the Sheriff"
http://intensedebate.com/people/RunningGag RunningGag

'Karaoke-related killings are not limited to the Philippines. In the past two years alone, a Malaysian man was fatally stabbed for hogging the microphone at a bar and a Thai man killed eight of his neighbors in a rage after they sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” '

I know I shouldn't laugh but come on. Srsly?!? LOL.
Bill Pinoy

The author does not have any basis where he got his information that Filipinos are violent. Filipiinos are loving people. I think should stop writing and just sell siopao by the Baclaran church :)
mizz420

“The Philippines is a very violent society, so karaoke only triggers what already exists here when certain social rules are broken,” Roland B. Tolentino says..
REALLY? Reaaaally? That seems like a very ignorant comment for a "pop culture expert". On what evidence is this claim that the Filipino society is a violent one? The Philippines' violence as a society pales in comparison to Americans.

hosertohoosier

Oh and the US murder rate is about 4.3 per 100,000, so your statement that the Philippines pales compared to the US is in fact, wrong.
msphilippines

Really on what evidence is this clam based on? America being more violent? Kid nappings, political killings, ect,ect, ect seem to be way more seem to be very common here…
hosertohoosier

Murders (most recent)
Philippines: 6,553/90,350,000 = 7.25 per 100,000 people
Canada: 523/33,300,000 = 1.57 per 100,000 people
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur-crime-m…

So you are about 5 times more likely to get murdered in the Philippines. And then there is the risk of terrorist attack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberat… though that has been reduced somewhat since the mid 90's.

LesterPinoy

If this is true then Mr. Roland B. Tolentino should not wander around the UP campus after 6 P.M. specially near the oblation (This is the venue where we sacrifice a peace loving pacifist after kicking it in the groin and being a pop culture expert is no reason for exemption, even if he is exceptionally dumb .) Next week we are launching our new album titled "DeathWish" with our carrier single "My Way".

To the author: Too sad you have to this lame stuff to be able to attract eyes for your advertisements, what a very civilized way to make a living. May Life be good to you my friend.

As Always:

Say that to my FILIPINO FACE!!!!!!

PEACE!!!
Insidelester

That is very disturbing. I'm sure someone here will be happy to inform you of the myriad genetic flaws and faults in the last 100 generations of your family and relatives.

But if you really don't care, why expose your ignorance to the world?!

P.S.:
The massive amounts of painkillers floating in my system and my thyroid gland issues may, just may, have affected my judgment…

Live long and prosper…..
http://www.singtotheworld.com marcus

is this article real??? seriousley karaoke songs creating riots and "my way killings"?? surely if such a thing has happened a maybe a political or military gang would have taken credit? i can see from the other people commenting it is not a true reflection of the culture or people to say they are violent and that karaoke just happens to bring it out in them, really, if journalists dont know why something is happening why guess? that is if it even is happening!
Liza Birmingham

Killings not only happen in the Philippines, happen all over the world. What about the terrorist who blasted hundreds of innocent people.

We are in the Philippines for 3 weeks attended fiesta we sang karaoke's people around are friendly. My boyfriend sand My way many times, he dont have a good voice lucky he didn't get killed hehehe.
That killings happen in the south which in the Muslim area, individual's behavior, arrogancy etc. Whoever you are? You must not kill, its against God's commandment.
Darren

Roland is a nuts, I was in Philippines last week and only found people friendly and hunmble. What a douche-bag!