I'm unabashedly Pinay when it comes to entertainment--just bring out your Magic Sing microphone and I'll happily mimic Kuh Ledesma, Dionne Warwick, or The Spice Girls for hours. What makes it worse is the fact that I'm Cebuana. We Cebuanos love to sing and are known microphone-hoggers. Back home we serve lechon as main course, then videoke for dessert.

Music is considered an official Pinoy passion and videoke is one of its most practical, affordable, and democratic forms. "Conquered by videoke," an article by Prime Sarmiento of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, discusses its history: "The videoke's precursor, the karaoke, combines the Japanese words for 'empty' (kara) and 'orchestra' (okesutera)." It evolved into the term, "videoke" later on because of the introduction of video into the system.

Talent or no talent, anyone can do videoke. You can sing your heart out as lyrics are displayed on a video screen, with a moving dot or words changing colors to guide your performance. The videoke program then rates your performance. You don't have to have a great voice to get a big score. Just ask any videoke addict. A step up from videoke is the "open mike" or "open mic" setup, where patrons of an establishment are given the chance to sing a song or two (or more) with the resident guitar or piano player providing the music. Here are my top picks for the best places to sing your heart out in:

10. Music 21 Plaza Family KTV and Restaurant
Jupiter Street, Makati City with various branches
Tel. no. 896-4261, 890-5230
Open from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily

This videoke spot, which has entertained fanatics since 1995, is easy on the pocket. Those who come in for their singing fix during the "Happy Hour" (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) pay only P42 per head for every hour. From 7 p.m. onwards, it's P84 per head/hour. That's non-consumable. Music 21--which takes pride in being "The Most Popular Family KTV in Town"--boasts of a great song selection of over 35,000 titles.

Never mind the crazy interiors--this is a place for mindless KTV fun. It is a favorite venue for birthdays, anniversaries, and even wedding receptions. In fact, the Jupiter Street branch offers a killer all-in package for P3,300 pesos for a group of 10, which includes food, drinks, as well as two and a half hours of videoke bliss. Why, you can even get a free cake or T-shirt and use the Balloons-and-Streamer Room.

I can say they've really stepped up in recent years. They now offer Recording and Scoring Services, and even a Free Shuttle Service from designated pick-up points within Makati, Pasay, and Malate areas. Just log on to the Music 21 website for more details.

9. No. 38 Sports Lounge and Grill
114-A Jupiter Street, Makati City
Tel. no. 519-1806
Open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday to Saturday (The Thursday night music fest starts at 9 p.m.)

Barely a month old, this newbie watering hole is rarin' to be a popular nightspot with the yuppie crowd. No. 38 was the number of the young, hip owners' former residence where they would hang out and have "riotous parties." It's an apt name for the establishment since it brings to mind your fave neighborhood haunt where everyone is relaxed, casual and naturally rowdy.

Set up as a venue for watching sports tournaments on TV, pigging out, and getting wasted, the spot amps up the vibe every Thursday evening. On Thursday nights, called Steady Thursdays, classic/alternative rock band One Walks Away goes acoustic, complete with a violin player and percussions. They welcome jammers for a little bit of open mic during their final set.

Here's your opportunity to channel your inner Dave Matthews, Jeff Buckley, or Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. You'll witness some very testosterone-charged performances here, and the ladies rock out just as loudly.

Happy hour is at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with friendly prices of P45 for local beers and P90 2-for-1 on selected cocktails. Try their massive mug of beer (a liter, actually) for P180. And even if you don't drink, their bar chow alone will keep you coming back: Try their Awesome Nachos (P350) with three cheeses, aioli, chili con carne, pesto and jalapeno. Munch on Disco Fries (P245), deep-fried potato wedges covered in gravy and melted cheese. Enjoy Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings (Php320 to P340) with three levels of hotness--Classic, Insane, and Please! Stop the Pain!

Tip: This new joint gets an MC Rating: Maraming Cute. And they only hold table reservations for Steady Thursday until 8 p.m. The place gets packed, though most likely, mingling singles won't complain.