Miley Cyrus’ raunchy video for her song, “Wrecking Ball” is too controversial for some.
So controversial that it was one of the most watched videos on YouTube, and it inspired hundreds of video parodies on the leading video site in the world.
And there’s a Filipino parody too.
Mikey Bustos, star of his own popular YouTube channel released his own Wrecking Ball parody that plays on an important part of Filipino Culture – The Balikbayan Box.
Here’s the video:
A relatively large number of Filipinos are living overseas either permanently or temporarily. In the usual Filipino family setting, those who live overseas usually send a large package, called the balikbayan box, back to their families in the Philippines. It can be just one box, or a number of boxes, since the average Filipino family is composed of a person’s immediate and extended relatives.
The balikbayan box typically contains a number of imported items as gifts to the person’s family in the country. These items are usually food and products not sold in any stores, and are only available abroad. Normally, the items are the one’s mentioned in Bustos’ song: “Some Colgate and new briefs, imported corn beef.”
While the song can be labeled as just another parody to Miley’s controversial song, it also touches on that Filipino cultural feeling, especially when receiving something associated with imported products:
You called and told me “Anak ko we sent you balikbayan box.” I jumped and screamed imagining having all those foreign products!
I’ll have Coffeemate, Lotion, chocolates, shampoo even if I’m kalbo, second hand damit, I don’t care I still want it, as long as there’s brand name to show!
Here’s the full lyrics of the song:
You called and told me “Anak ko we sent you balikbayan box.” I jumped and screamed imagining having all those foreign products!
I’ll have Coffeemate, Lotion, chocolates, shampoo even if I’m kalbo, second hand damit, I don’t care I still want it, as long as there’s brand name to show!
I’m getting balikbayan box, sent to me from my Mom abroad. I will wait for a whole 2 months, all those pasalubong coming to me, and I hope Canadian money.
I waited for your door to door, it came, I handled it with care. “It’s heavy” Frank said so excited to smell that North American air.
But there was so much tape, I could not open it, and rope tied around the whole box. Address written everywhere as if we’re blind over here and OA naman yung padlocks.
I got my balikbayan box, I waited for it for 2 months. I bet it’s full of awesome stuff. Some Colgate and new briefs, imported corn beef, I got my balikbayan box, so full of imported products, I know I will feel so sosyal parang foreigner lang, thanks to my Mommy. I’ll have Nikes on my feet!
after using lots of force, I finally managed to get it in. There’s so much newspaper Good Lord! on Toronto Mayor Robert Ford. Excited for the gifts within, I started to dig deep inside, and when I finally got within, I just could not believe my eyes.
I just want to say, to my dear Mommy, I will always love you.
But I got my balikbayan box and everything inside it sucks, some medicine for chicken pox, holy water incase of what?enablejsapi=1&html5=1& Conjuring?! You sent oil of oregano (ano ‘to?), a winter coat in case it snows (it’s so hot), a pair of sexy panty hose, ay naku what is this? Melted icecream! and this? Always with wings! Ay naku Medyas that stink!
The Man Behind The Video
Mikey Bustos has been making YouTube videos since 2006. Most of his videos are about Filipino culture or tradition. Adding on to the fact that he is a Filipino Canadian (and a contestant in 2003 Canadian Idol,) it adds to his flair as some of his antics looks wild and funny when viewed from a foreign perspective. For example, his video tutorial about Filipino English might be just a normal video if done in Filipino language by a Filipino looking man. But Bustos’ take is different:
Parodies after Parodies
Bustos is no stranger to parodies too, as he has also done one or two for popular songs, such Lady Gaga’s Born this Way, and Psy’s Gentleman, which you can watch below:
We wonder how much he makes from YouTube ads. But we have to say, Mikey is hilarious, and well loved!
Read More: The Philipines Fell In Love With Psy For 2nd Straight Year on YouTube