Singing RP peacekeepers a hit in Iraq

The Filipino prescription for boredom and tension in a harsh desert environment fraught with danger: Sing your heart out.

The Filipino humanitarian aid contingent in Iraq eases its tension over the mounting terrorist attacks on the peacekeeping and humanitarian missions there by singing along with videoke machines in their tents, contingent commander Brig. Gen. Pedro Ramboanga said yesterday.

Known for their singing prowess, Filipino soldiers and policemen have earned the respect of their foreign counterparts for their singing, as well as for their skills in accomplishing their field assignments.

Ramboanga said Spanish and Latin American soldiers, who also love to sing, have expressed admiration for the Filipino soldiers’ singing voices.

It is also no secret that soldiers assigned in Mindanao would often sneak out of their camps after combat duty to belt out a few hot numbers on videoke machines in nearby bars.

When the Filipino contingent is not holding sway over the microphone, they are at Internet cafes sending e-mail to their families back home. Others would take time off by going to restaurants and trying the local cuisine.

"But they are more interested in spending their free time singing inside our tent," Ramboanga said. "Thanks to the magic microphone we brought along with us."

The magic microphone is a device that stores songs in videoke format and can convert any television set into a videoke machine without need of other equipment.

He said that while Spanish and Latin American soldiers do like to belt out songs during their free time, these Latinos make way when it’s the Filipinos’ turn.

While liquor is banned inside their camp, it is not unusual for a bottle of brandy to "miraculously" appear inside their tent, courtesy of Iraqi black market traders, to add another dimension to the Pinoy songfest.

"Sometimes, the other foreign troops do not go to our tent, instead, they borrow the microphone," Ramboanga said.

He mused that this may be the case because the foreigners "may be embarrassed because they are not all that good at singing."