Saturday, December 11, 2010

154. Music & Memories: JINGLE SONGBOOK MAGAZINE


The Philippine music scene of the 1970s was not just defined by moptop artists, British bands and folksinging groups—but also by a revolutionary songbook that became a byword in its heyday: JINGLE Songbook Magazine—or just plain JINGLE, to a horde of guitar-strumming, music-loving young people, myself included. Before JINGLE, we only had squeaky-clean songhits with predictable titles like “Hit Parade” and “Song Cavalcade”. But the launching of JINGLE changed all that: it was fun, it was attuned to the times, it was irreverent and wacky, it poked fun at the establishment, and it answered young people’s clamor for better entertainment.

First published in 1970 by Jingle Clan Publications, the first issue had the Beatles on the cover and featured 90 pages of songs—around 120 of them, 100 of which came complete with guitar chords. JINGLE was a staple in many high schools and colleges in the country, as it made singing and playing guitar so easy (the magazine had a pull-out guitar chord guide)—all for jut P2.50. JINGLE music had it all-- from Jack Jones to Tom Jones, Beatles to Monkees, Motown to Soul, Platters to Peter, Paul and Mary, James Taylor to Carole King, Pilita Corrales to Nora Aunor, ballads, folk songs, standards, songs from rock musicals (“Tommy”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and more.

The articles too, were hip and cool, dished by a stable of writers that included Juaniyo Arcellana, Vicar Rosales, Pennie Azarcon and Ces Rodriguez. Emil Davocol and Dani Tagbo did very “in” illustrations that found their way on mod T-Shirts. I remember one beautifully-illlustrated poster that came free with an issue of JINGLE, a Pilipino translation of “Desiderata” done in calligraphy. I remember framing that poster for my room! Of course, JINGLE also gave other assorted freebies with every issue—like a Beatles’ bookmark, a David Cassidy poster , frameable quotations.

A lot of risqué things could be found on every page—from green songs and jokes (I even won First Prize in their regular send-a-joke contest, with my entry featured prominently on “The Grin Page”), protest songs and Anti-Marcos establishment commentaries. It ‘s no wonder JINGLE was one of the publications that incurred the ire of authorities and was targeted for closure during the Martial Law days. But so popular was JINGLE that it was soon made available again, spawning imitation songbook magazines like MopTop, Burgis (which became BM after Martial Law), He & She. It even raised its prices to Php 4.75 in 1077, and two years later, an issue cost Php6.00. Re-issues that came out in 2009 cost a whopping Php80.00.

JINGLE was line-extended with the coming of JINGLE Extra Hot Magazine that was a showbiz tabloid of some sort, but as they say—the original (concept) is still the best. Today, re-issues of past JINGLE editions are still available, reproduced to the last detail—including pull-outs—by Jackpot Publications.

Shown above are two original issues from 1977 and 1979, found at last year’s Greenhills Antique Fair, in good condition, priced at 200Php each. A cheap price to pay to reclaim a portion of my 70s youth. Err, which page again is that Jim Croce song?

27 comments:

  1. where could we buy this songbooks?

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  2. and by the way what particular stores?

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  3. try national bookstore.

    there is also a jingle music magazine group at facebook of which i created.

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  4. 1970 - that was the wow and explosive year of lyrics, chords, plitical and cultural chat of Metro Manila and the entire Philippines. I could still smell that first issue! I just graduated from HS, was economically poor, but potentially destined to move up through educatiion. I competed with hundreds of young people in my era for the 1970 Jingle Chordbook's academic scholarship awards, and was fortunate to get one of the only two spots! Interested in music and freelance writing, self-taught guitar strumming through JINGLE, I was fortunate to be monetarily assisted in my first year of college work. How do I access a copy of the 1970 issue? 'would really like to get that in my hand!

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  5. 1970 - that was the wow and explosive year of lyrics, chords, plitical and cultural chat of Metro Manila and the entire Philippines. I could still smell that first issue! I just graduated from HS, was economically poor, but potentially destined to move up through educatiion. I competed with hundreds of young people in my era for the 1970 Jingle Chordbook's academic scholarship awards, and was fortunate to get one of the only two spots! Interested in music and freelance writing, self-taught guitar strumming through JINGLE, I was fortunate to be monetarily assisted in my first year of college work. How do I access a copy of the 1970 issue? 'would really like to get that in my hand!

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  6. i'm from davao city,halos nalibot ko na lahat ng bookshop todits e.. pero alaws pa rin akong makitang jingle songhits,, mga repapips tulungan niyo ako,kahit anong edition basta jingle solve na sa akin.

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    1. Hi i have Jingle songhits beatles song 1981 edition

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    2. Ako meron iba ibang jingles 10 song hits offeran mo nalang

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    3. Pwede mo ba i-post dito photo ng front cover/covers? Kung hindi pwede, paki-advise kung yung 10 means chapter 10 or 10 pcs. of magazines. Pa-describe din please kung sinu-sino ang nasa cover. Salamat!

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    4. Or probably email mo na lang sa kin please at danndelprado@yahoo.com.

      Salamat!

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  7. Please contact me in exadidas@gmail.com, I am looking for a Jingle - Hist of the 60's, it has a yellow cover. I lost my copy in Ondoy.

    Thanks a lot.

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  8. ...tsk...while staring at these old collections of jingle mags....i just remember my wasted collections due to such unavoidable circumstances...friends borrowed and as time went by..forgotten....those are collections during early to mid 80's...

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  9. Can you tell me how I can get my hands on a copy of the Jingle Book with chords Beatle Complete. I'll Pay $50.00

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  10. Do you still have Jingle a copy of any Jingle keys songbook?

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  11. are there buyers of old jingle magazine (1970's to 80's) also moptop?

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  12. Who is the publisher of jingle songbook? Are the still in circulation? Do you still have the Beatkes edition?

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  13. Is there any way that I can buy the first Chapters of Jingle Songbook? Just to complete my collection.

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    1. do you have the edition with martial law caricatures?

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  14. Sir, baka po may alam kayo nagbebenta ng Jingle Songbook si Cat Stevens ang cover kulay green, thank you!

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  15. Saan po kya makakabili ulit ng Jingle featuring The Beatles at the best of 60? Just want to pass it on to my kids kung gaano ka cool ang dekada 70.

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  16. I'm a big Jingle fan too... wish I could buy at least a re-print of any edition also

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  17. i have 1970 chapter l jingle music magazine

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