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 five 1950s romance-comedy films that utilizes the ukulele as the main musical instrument that are available on YouTube: first clip is from a 1953 film, "Hawayana". Second is from a 1954 film, "Dalagang Ilocana", third is from "Dalaginding" [1954], the fourth one is from a 1958 film, "Combo Festival". And then the 1958 film, "Tawag ng Tanghalan". [Please inform us if you found more] There was actually a "Combo Festival" (or battle of the bands) held in all movie theaters nationwide at that time. The 5 Brown Boys won it. The instruments used here were ordinary guitars (acoustic), ukuleles and basses made from gasoline cans. Popular songs sung here were songs by Elvis, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka and the Platters. The "Combo Festival" movie was shown first, followed by the Live Contest. The movie theater was packed, so we kids were in the front and still standing because there was standing room due to the large number of spectators.
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. In the early 1960s, There was a Filipino band (combo) named, The Rocky Fellers. They played acoustic guitars and ukuleles in 1963. They had a hit single called "Killer Joe".
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