Viva creates app for fans to sing their favorite artists’ songs

MANILA, Philippines — Pinoys’ penchant for singing and listening to music never wavers, come rain or shine. It’s shown in any celebration and mundane activity. Since singing connects people and creates bonds, they are drawn to it because of the Filipino value “kapwa” or shared identity.

With that, they are naturally ready to sing a tune or two. For fun, they may do it individually, as a duet or even as a group.

Part of it is karaoke or videoke, known as a “form of interactive entertainment,” where one selects a song and the lyrics appear on the screen, along with images and scenes.

The enjoyment that comes with it can also be experienced on one’s mobile phone via the Vivaoke app.

Arthur Nery.

“We’re trying to expand to where we can still bring the music of our artists,” said Sammy Samaniego, VP for artist management and label relations at Viva Records and Viva Music, about how such a venture came about in a brief chat with this paper. “And we also know that Filipinos like to sing and sing karaoke.”

“Bakit hindi na lang tayo ang mag-provide doon sa ating audience, sa fans ng ating mga artists (why don’t we provide that to our audience and the fans of our artists) through our own app. So, doon nagsimulang mag-develop yung project (that’s how it was developed),” added he.

With the number of recording artists that Viva, as a recording brand, has worked with through the years, the Vivaoke app has too many songs to play and offer.

Cup of Joe.

Photo from the artists and groups’ Facebook pages

“Actually, when we say Viva Records, it also includes Vicor and Ivory. Actually, it’s been part of Viva for quite some time,” shared Sammy.

“And then, we also have our own sub-labels. There’s, of course, O/C Records, and the new sub-labels like Wild Dream. Eventually, their songs will also be included in Vivaoke.”

As for the initial offering, the lineup of songs can be described as “a combination of the classic hits and the Top Hits now from the new (emerging) singer-songwriters,” said Sammy.

The Juans.

“Well, for our current artists, we have, presently, the hit songs of Arthur Nery and Adie. Of course, (the tunes) of Cup of Joe. There are the songs, including the new tunes, of Sarah Geronimo and the new singer-songwriters, Earl Agustin, Amiel Sol, and also our bands, like The Juans, Bandang Lapis. So, these are our current hitmakers and singer-songwriters.”

With that, expect to hear Higa, Binhi and Pagsamo from Arthur, described as a “defining voice of modern OPM (Original Pilipino Music), known for his smooth vocals, emotive songwriting and genre-blending sound” on the Viva Artists Agency website.

From the band Cup of Joe, one gets to sing Multo and Tingin. The same source says that it “continues to blend emotional lyricism, rich melodies and youthful sincerity into a sound all their own.”

There are Paraluman, Tahanan and Mahika from singer-songwriter Adie. Enjoy Atin ang Mundo, Prom and Magkasama from the pop-rock group The Juans.

Also in the roster of artists whose songs are on Vivaoke are Sharon Cuneta, the Pinoy rock band Asin, Regine Velasquez and a few tunes from The CompanY. “And we will be regularly updating the songs since we can’t produce all at one time. So, first few muna, and then on a regular basis, regular ang maging updating niyan,” added the Viva exec.

Everybody, including karaoke- and music-loving people, has a variety of songs to access and choose from. If users get lost in terms of the tune, they can access the guide vocals feature and do some practice until they recall and learn the correct tune.

The mobile app allows one to choose by the title of the songs or the name of the artists. Since it’s on the phone, family and friends can come together and sing “anywhere, anytime,” said Sammy. They can enjoy the classic songs and the current tunes. The people behind the Vivaoke app also spent months making it as user-friendly as possible. It’s really for Pinoys who love listening to music and singing.

(The Vivaoke app is available on Google Play and the App Store.)