Vice Ganda hits all the right notes

VICE GANDA. Penchant for self-deprecation.

If you think Vice Ganda’s debut recording, “Lakas Tama,” is just another hodgepodge of music and comedy awkwardly strung together to capitalize on the comedian’s popularity, the album will prove you wrong.

The eight-track collection features not only Vice’s in-your-face humor, but also his immense musical gifts. Yes, music and comedy don’t always go together, but the album cleverly utilizes them as complementary elements that allow the 35-year-old performer to segue from one segment to another.

His sexuality and physical attributes are fodder for comedy – and music. Still, Vice manages to share some insights about gender equality and gay rights. Funny portions of the album include the comedian’s anecdotes about his first girlfriend(!), his awkward stints with the Boy Scouts and C.A.T., coming out of the closet, his rare foray into “beauty” pageants, his failed relationships with opportunistic men – etc.!

Proliferation

His witty zingers, caustic put-downs and penchant for self-deprecation are on full display toward the end of the album. Example: After he blames the media for the proliferation of dimwits in our society, he quips, “Bakit kailangang magtanong kung alam mo na ang sagot? Halimbawa, pagpasok ko sa parlor, may magtatanong, ‘Magpapagupit kayo, sir?’ I answer, ‘Hindi, magpapahaba!’  ‘Ano’ng ipapagupit mo, sir?’ Answer:  ‘Syempre, buhok – parlor ito, ’di ba?’ Tapos, pag-alis ko, magtatanong, ‘Alis na kayo?’Answer: ‘Hindi, parating pa lang ako!’

While “Lakas Tama’s” jokes aren’t always funny, its music is consistently good. In fact, the album’s repertoire has something for everyone – dance (“Party, Party”), ballads (“Hiding Inside Myself,” a vocal showcase for the comedian), R&B (the Autotune-enhanced, Salbakuta-inspired “Ayoko Na Sa ’Yo”), covers (Siakol’s “Ituloy Mo Lang”), and even rap and novelty (“May Puso Rin Kami,” a zany companion piece to Dagtang Lason’s “Nagmahal Ako ng Bakla”).

Three tunes further demonstrate the performer’s versatility and interpretive flair: The ballad, “Lakas Tama,” despite its humor-filled lyrics, is earnestly sung; “Good Vibes” is notable for its jingle-like melodic recall, and Kean Cipriano’s “Palong-Palo” shows off Vice Ganda’s full-bodied chest tones and gentle croons.