Modelong Charing [1]

***click the play button to listen to the song***

Back in the late 90s, a song entitled “Modelong Charing” was popularized by a local artist named Blakdyak. The novelty song made it top on the radio hit charts and became an instant favorite. Aside from its unique and catchy melody, what made it popular is its very humorous lyrics, which talks about the experiences of a “Modelong Charing.” I really don’t know what the word “charing” actually means but as far as I know, it’s a sward speak coined by the gay people much like the “chaka ang chuk chak chenes na ititch” phrase. Depending on the context “charing” may mean to say “it’s only a joke”. In the song “Modelong Charing” it actually refers to a gay person who was mistaken as a woman. It is a story about a person who works at a disco bar somewhere in Ermita (a place in Manila known for tourists and bars). Every time the model dances at the disco, the foreigners are drooling over her. One day, she met a Japanese mestizo who fell in love with her and asked her to become his girlfriend. He started sending her gifts and he even bought her a house and lot. Everything else went okay not until the day when the foreigner saw Modelong Charing peeing in a male restroom. Upon realizing that they are both standing up while peeing, the Japanese got fuming mad that he got her all beaten up. He took back everything that he has given to her. In the end, Modelong Charing no longer works as a dancer anymore but as a simple egg and eggplant vendor.