Two summers ago, a group of Filipino friends who said they had fallen victim to boredom, united to celebrate life by appreciating their favorite things that includes food, music, and love for one another. They created an online broadcast show called Bayaw TV, which they strived to stream weekly as their fan base grew.
“It started two years ago, during the summer. It was to kill the boredom. We had lots of time,” said Mark Caubalejo, an alumnus from the Philippines. “What we said was, ‘You know what? Let’s gather together, eat food, [and] talk about stuff.' We started to live feed it on Facebook and we got positive responses. We decided to bring that back again. This time we made a page.”
Today the Bayaw Team consists of Mark Caubalejo, Ezra Noel Sabaupan, Nathaniel Gapol, Kinzel Batac, Kyle Batac, and Hyrum Portugal.
Nathaniel Gapol, a junior studying graphic design from the Philippines, shared one of the foundations of the show. “It started with our love of music. The first content we were planning was to broadcast us performing some songs. Each one of us plays an instrument. We just wanted to share our music.
“Originally it was just Filipino music. Then our friends tried asking us for love and relationship advice. We tried incorporating it into the music. We tried to think of music that would fit and soothe our listeners. Then we took requests and we started to make funny content.”
For viewers like Princess Donato Astle, a senior from the Philippines studying exercise sports science, said the music has been a sweet reminder of past times. She said, “My favorite part when they started was the OPM (Original Philippine Music). It was so nostalgic for me. They played a lot of songs that reminded me of high school, of my first crush for example, and then [Bayaw TV] talks about it.”
Another viewer, Elvin Laceda, a sophomore from the Philippines studying political science, commented, “I’m here to support. I love OPM music as well. It reminds me of home and [Bayaw TV’s] advice is really cool. Their broadcast does not only help Filipinos, but it also helps others learn our culture. It gives an avenue for students to go and have fun, listen to music, and relax from their stresses.”
Gapol shared one of the aspirations the Bayaw team has. “Our goal is really to make people laugh, help them understand their situations, and find someone they can relate to. We are just having fun and having a good time. When you do the things you love, it is the best way to do things. Have fun and make other people happy. At least we put smiles on their faces. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters.”
Seeking to mend all of the heart, Ezra Noel Sabaupan, a junior studying IT from the Philippines, wanted to express when it comes to their content, “It’s not only love advice. Some of our Filipino friends get homesick, so we give them [homesick] advice as well.”
The Bayaw team said they do not have all of the music equipment they want, but despite not having all the equipment, Caubalejo said Bayaw TV has made do with what they have and where they are. “I think our studio is unique because it’s in the kitchen. For now we are actually not worried about our studio. We try to balance love advice, love of music and food.“
Laceda commented on the influence the Filipino community has at BYUH. “It is important to know [on] campus we are the biggest body of international students. Having this broadcast is a testament that Filipinos are in the mainstream on campus. The [Bayaw] team are an example of [students] who establish peace internationally through music.
“I foresee the day when this [broadcast] is not only for music, but it will create more opportunities for Filipinos to be one and help others learn the Filipino culture throughout the world. We have an amazing culture. Them organizing this show is evidence that Filipinos are smart, Filipinos are world class, and Filipinos have the ability to adapt in any place.”
Sabaupan said, “Now we are not just thinking of Filipinos. We are thinking of everyone. What we talk about can relate to everyone. Before we just spoke Tagalog. Now we speak more English so that everyone can understand. We just want the students to know that we care for them. We care for all the students here. We know what’s the feeling of being far from your family and your friends.
Sabaupan translated bayaw from Tagalog to help express the theme they hope to grasp. “Bayaw means brother-in-law. Back home, we have names for our friends, and one particular word we use is bayaw. We are a group of friends, so we use that.”
Date Published: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Last Edited: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Source: KE ALAKA’I (https://kealakai.byuh.edu/content/filipino-musicians-come-together-host-online-broadcast-called-bayaw-tv-features-music-food)
