From K-pop groups to international bands, here are some of the music videos you didn’t know were filmed right here at home.
The Philippines has long been a captivating destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and cultural experiences. However, it’s not just tourists who are drawn to the country’s allure. Even some international artists, from some of the biggest K-pop groups to international bands, can’t resist the appeal of this tropical paradise, making the Philippines the ideal backdrop for some of their music videos. From stunning landscapes to immersive cityscapes, these music videos not only showcase the beauty of the country but also capture the harmonious fusion of music and the indomitable Filipino spirit.
Related: 100 Million Club: Filipino Music Videos That Definitely Made A Mark
Lauv
ICYDK, American singer-songwriter LAUV shot the music video for his pop ballad Sad Forever at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This was during his first solo concert in Manila last May 20, 2019, as part of his Blue Boy Asian Tour. It was quite a special music video as LAUV was surrounded by a sea of passionate fans all bearing their phone lights that make for a mesmerizing scenery.
What makes it even more special is that Sad Forever, which is part of his ~how i’m feeling~ album, tackles LAUV’s personal struggles with mental health and all the proceeds from the song’s sales were donated to mental health organizations advocating to remove stigma around mental health issues.
beabadoobee
Last February, Fil-Brit and bedroom pop musician beabadoobee delighted her Filo stans when she released the music video for her much-anticipated track, Glue Song. Directed by her and her boyfriend, the M/V finds beabadoobe tapping into her Filipino roots, as she goes back to her hometown in IloIlo and captures that simple yet endearing Pinoy rural life. Exquisitely shot in Kodak 16mm film camera, the video captures beabadoobee’s sweet moments with her lola and the beautiful and calm backdrop of local countryside.
Rudimental
In 2012, British electronic music band Rudimental released their music video for their track Not Giving In, which featured soloists John Newman and Alex Clare. It was shot and set in the slums of Manila and tells the inspiring success story of Filipino dance prodigy Ereson Catipon, also famously known as B-Boy Mouse. A decorated champion in the b-boy scene, B-Boy Mouse grew up in the same urban ghetto and moved to the UK at 16, where he’d spend his whole life perfecting the art of bboying. Raw, gritty, yet incredibly inspiring, the Not Giving In music video has now been viewed over 80 million times.
Switchfoot
San Diego-based alternative rock band Switchfoot also once stepped foot in Manila to shoot a music video. A day after staging a successful concert in March 2016, Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman, Chad Butler, and Jerome Fontanillas went to Tondo to film the music video for Float, which was the first single to be released from their 10th album, Where The Light Shines Through. The upbeat and uplifting tone of the song matches the vibrant energy of the residents with Switchfoot somehow giving a mini concert of sorts, where they were hosted by Young Focus, a non-government organization supporting disadvantaged children.
VAV
Did you know that a couple of K-pop groups have also shot music videos in the Philippines? One of them is VAV, a six-piece boy band formed by Seoul-based A Team Entertainment consisting of St. Van, Ace, Ayno, Jacob, Lou, and Ziu. In 2019, VAV traveled all the way to the sparkling beaches of Bohol to shoot the M/V for their comeback track Give Me More, which also featured American rapper De La Ghetto and DJ duo Play-N-Skillz. A mix of Spanish, English, and Korean languages and musical styles, Give Me More’s festive summer energy is just the right fit for the vibrant, paradisiacal island of Bohol.
B.A.P
Meanwhile, B.A.P, an award-winning and best-selling six-member K-pop group who rose to worldwide fame in the early 2010s, went low-key when they shot a music video for one of their major tracks here in the Philippines. Unbeknownst to many, over a decade ago in 2013, the two-time MTV Europe Music Awards-winning boy group flew to Manila to shoot the music video for One Shot, which is also part of their chart-topping EP of the same name. And if you’re a certified BABY (B.A.P’s fandom name), here’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes footage where you can reminisce all the moments of Yongguk, Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jong-up, Zelo when they were here in Manila.
Manila Grey
Filipino-Canadian R&B duo Manila Grey also didn’t miss the opportunity to shoot the music video for their hit single Silver Skies here in the Philippines. From atop urban skyscrapers to a tropical resort, singer-songwriter Soliven and rapper GhostrideNeeko were overflowing with their signature cool swag and vibe, while also paying homage to their Pinoy heritage.
BONUS: RUEL
Just recently, Australian pop star Ruel came back to the Philippines as part of his 4th Wall World Tour. And to mark his return to the country for a three-day concert, Ruel released a visualizer for his track Sitting in Traffic, which was shot, guess what, in the middle of Manila traffic. It’s a fitting choice if you think about it; a lonely romantic song set against the backdrop of a congested highway where one can’t help but feel isolated.
BONUS: Katy Perry
While American pop superstar Katy Perry didn’t technically shoot here in the Philippines, the fact that some shots of the iconic and picturesque Taal Volcano got included in her Roar music video was enough to get Pinoys thrilled and satisfied. Even if it’s kind of a blink-it-and-you-will-miss-it moment, Katy Perry really made us, well, roar in excitement back in 2013 with this one.
Continue Reading: 10 P-Pop Cameos In Music Videos That Made For The Best Surprise
