One of the earliest mention of the 'Ukulele in Philippine literatures was from way back early 1930s. Nicanor Abelardo wrote the tune "Naku, Kenkoy!" (My Goodness, Kenkoy!) in 1930. Kenkoy was a comical character. And "Kenkoy" is a Pilipino slang for goofy or slapsticks comedian. Snippet of the song, "Naku, Kenkoy!" goes (English translation):
[Chorus] Even his forehead was shaved The gait is different Singing along the way Of English without letters (There's even a ukulele)
Say hello, how are you? And the answer, look! "Hey! Tagalog? Mi, no habla" Oh, oh, oh Kenkoy!
[Verse 2] And Kenkoy is popular At all parties Ukelele's hand to hand You are ready to sing
In the original (Tagalog/Pilipino):
[Chorus] Pati noo’y inahit na Kilos lakad ay nag-iba Habang daa’y kumakanta Ng Ingles na walang letra (May ukulele pa)
Batiin mo, kumusta ka? At ang sagot, tingnan mo ba! "Hey! Tagalog? Mi, no habla" Ay naku, naku Kenkoy!
[Verse 2] At si Kenkoy ay popular Sa lahat ng handaan Ukelele’y tangan-tangan Handa mo’y inaawitan
- Though the significance of the 'uke was not been and is still not yet being discussed emphatically in Philippine history lessons and books, if you noticed the old song, "Naku, Kenkoy!", it is a clue.
Moving on, in the 1950s, the Philippines was dominated by many 'ukulele players (or 'ukulelists) that the 'ukulele have made it into Philippine cinemas too. Especially comedy films, there are some ukulele cameos from at least three 1950s romance-comedy films that utilizes the ukulele as the main musical instrument: first clip is from a 1953 film, "Hawayana". Second is from a 1954 film, "Dalagang Ilocana". And the third one is from a 1958 film, "Combo Festival". Please inform us if you found more.
In the year 1957, there was an action film "UKELELE BOY" (we spelled it that way back then because that's how we probably pronounced it, "yu-ke-le-le). The lead actor was the late Zaldy Zshornack. Unfortunately, "Ukelele Boy' can not be found in the internet world but we are still fortunate to have some photos.
Some old Filipino men in their sixties and seventies now testimonies that Zaldy Zshornack was also the one who was strumming the'ukulele as a background music for the popular radio program "Lundagin Mo Baby" ("You Jump It, Baby") hosted by the late Johnny De Leon in the 1950s up to the early 1970s.
In the countrysides or rural provinces, they conducted "Combo Festivals" which mostly took place in Philippine cinema theaters or "sinehan". In the '50s, up to the '70s, bands were called "combo" rather than "banda". Probably a shortcut for "combination" because they combine guitar and ukuleles together. Combo Festivals highlighted the acoustic guitar and ukuleles. And after the combo festivals, they would watch the film also named, "Combo Festival" (1958) which stars the veteran comedy actor Pugo A.K.A Mang Nano.
By the 1960s, there were popular band who were ambassadors of elect
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