We Can Celebrate Both, as Long as We Don’t Forget Who We Are
The K-pop wave has evolved beyond music into a force that is reshaping our fashion, language, and even social behavior. In Cebu, where the streets once played Cebuano ballads and Original Pilipino Music (OPM), this generation’s playlist is now a vibrant mix of jams from various countries. As these influences continue to dominate our earbuds and the beauty standards in Korea shape our local aesthetics and fashion, a pressing question arises: Are we losing the distinct traits that make us uniquely Sugboanon?
The tension between local and global trends is not a new phenomenon, but it continues to highlight the distinct challenges associated with each. Historically, foreign influences arrived through colonization or trade, but today, cultural exchange happens with just a tap of our smartphones. This raises questions about preservation, uniqueness, and adaptation. Cebu’s rich heritage in BisRock, Vispop, and Sinulog rhythms now shares space with foreign influences, particularly as the synchronization in the K-pop industry demands a balance between appreciating art and maintaining authenticity.
Sugbo Speaks Up: Can You Say Bias in Bisaya?
Sugboanons have begun to voice their perspectives on how these influences have left a mark on their identity. One fan, Jacky, expressed his admiration for BTS and the glamour of K-pop. He noted, “Before, yes, but right now I’ve noticed that there are changes,” referring to the emergence of local groups like SB19. Jacky highlighted a resurgence of pride in being Filipino and Sugboanon, indicating that our local industry is now competing globally while keeping our roots alive. “Before, most people were focusing on Koreans when BTS and Blackpink came out, but right now I can see that the Filipinos are outstanding already,” he remarked, reflecting a shift in focus towards local talent.
Ceralie, another respondent and fan of Itzy and Tomorrow By Together (TXT), framed our historical influences as a foundation rather than a loss of identity. She stated, “Those influences help us be more creative and be more diverse,” emphasizing that global pop trends serve as a reflection of our local creativity. This perspective underscores the evolution of Sugboanon culture, showcasing how our music remains unique and relevant.
OG Cultural Crossfade
Cebu’s cultural identity has always been dynamic, shaped by centuries of exchange with diverse influences. Long before K-pop gained mainstream popularity, the province’s artistic traditions had already been enriched by interactions with Malay traders, Spanish missionaries, and American educators. Each wave of influence left its mark, while local creativity adapted these elements into something distinctly Cebuano. Studies of Philippine cultural evolution show how foreign ideas have consistently been reinterpreted through a Filipino lens. This transformative process continues today with K-pop, as young Sugboanons mix Korean pop aesthetics with Bisaya humor in viral videos or blend K-pop’s production styles with heartfelt Visayan lyrics.
Bisaya Beats Hit the Streets
To recognize and amplify local voices, Cebu City has taken action to ensure the preservation and appreciation of its own culture. Landmark Ordinance 2780 mandates that cafes, malls, and transport terminals dedicate 30% of airtime to Bisaya music, a move that is both practical and symbolic. This ordinance ensures that local artists receive fair treatment, making Sugboanon culture an integral part of daily life. While it does not impose penalties, it offers economic incentives, including tax breaks for participating businesses. This demonstrates how cultural policy can be both smart and economical, fostering a supportive environment for local artists.
Oppa-sition and Identity
The most compelling case for cultural optimism comes from observing how global fandoms operate. Studies of K-pop communities in Southeast Asia reveal a paradox: the more fans engage with Korean content, the more they crave local equivalents. This explains the rising popularity of groups like SB19, whose “P-pop” style adapts K-pop’s precision while centering Filipino narratives. This blending of influences showcases how local artists can thrive in a globalized market without losing their identity.
Both Sides of the Soundtrack
Safeguarding the Sugboanon identity demands a collective effort from all sectors of society. For music lovers, actively streaming Cebuano artists and requesting local music at cafés, gyms, and shopping centers can significantly boost the visibility of these artists. Creators have a unique opportunity to experiment with cross-cultural collaborations, perhaps blending Cebuano lyrics with K-pop’s infectious beats or traditional Visayan instruments with modern production techniques. Policymakers must go beyond the 30% mandate by investing in cultural infrastructure dedicated to music venues, school programs that teach Visayan composition, and grant opportunities for emerging artists. Meanwhile, fans can harness the same organizational skills they use to trend K-pop hashtags to amplify homegrown talent, turning fan armies into local music fandoms for Cebuano creators.
From the unique sound of K-pop to the blend of tastes that locals love, Cebuano/Sugboanon music has constantly evolved without losing the essence of what makes us, us. The current moment offers an opportunity to leverage global platforms that showcase our local creativity. Enjoying K-pop or other Western music tracks on our playlists is not a cultural surrender but rather a Sugboanon identity asserting its place in a connected world. Our playlist may be global, but the beat in our heartbeat remains distinctly Sugboanon.
