Step Aside Jose Mari Chan: TikTok Is Going Mad Over GenSan’s Caroling Divas

(SPOT.ph) Carolers are a normal sight in the Philippines during the Christmas Season—caroling divas, though, now that's new. If you've come across a pair of erm, singers (a term used liberally here) belting holiday hymns on the streets in clips online, we're sure you were a little shocked, and likely doubling over in laughter. Known as the Caroling Divas of GenSan, these two carolers have taken over our feeds on Facebook, TikTok, and even IG recently. Heck, they've managed to drown out the usual Jose Mari Chan or Mariah Carey hits online. 

Also read: Why Jose Mari Chan Memes Bring Christmas Joy

Who are the Caroling Divas of GenSan?

Clips of the two carolers started going around on TikTok and Facebook; the one that first made it big with more than a million views had a caption saying "Kakahiya naman magbigay ng 20 pag ganitong ganitong level mag caroling." In it, you can see Jimmy Molan Alisna (light eyebrows) and BabyShark Doll (killer eyebrows) singing all the notes very, erm, powerfully and just giving it their all. Shoutout to our personal favorite touch of "Let Earth receive her king (aringkingking!)." That alone was worth the P20.

Spending more than 10 minutes on the endless scrolls of Facebook and TikTok will show you more clips of the two now going around more than just the streets of General Santos, with them popping up in restaurants and bars. Notice the two brown envelopes they carry around? They're here for the cash—rightfully so. 

According to Jimmy and BabyShark—whose real name is Jeram—caroling is a full-time job for them once September hits. In an interview with Chito Samontina, a content creator from Davao, they share that they've worked together for the past two years, but they've been doing it solo since long before. BabyShark was only 13 when she started. 

On average, they make around P400 daily from caroling; math-ing that, BabyShark shares that can mean up to P36,000 in three months. But that P400 is not a guarantee, so there is no rest day for them, says Jimmy. There are days that they make just P200, depending on the area they're in and how much time they spend caroling, usually starting at 2 p.m. or 8 p.m. That's enough for noodles, dried fish, and bigas, says BabyShark. "Sakto na sa pamahaw (breakfast)."

Depending on their audience, they can get up to P100, down to P5 coins. "P50 masaya, 'pag P5, lonely na." Still, with just P50, "ma-feel mo na ang kalipay (joy)."

Also read: Holidays in the City: Where to Stay in the Metro for Christmas and New Year's Eve 2023

Why did they choose caroling?

BabyShark works at a boarding house the rest of the year, while Jimmy works at a farm. When there's nothing to harvest or nothing at the boarding house, they depend on raket, whatever they can come by. 

Caroling has opened up new opportunities for the two. Sure, the income still isn't guaranteed, but they get invited to birthdays and special occasions now—they've even made it as far as Butuan City and Samal Island. And now, they've even got a following online, with official Facebook and TikTok pages made. They even thanked the original poster of their first viral video on TikTok for pretty much launching their careers. Yes, it's a career now. 

Fame rarely comes without a struggle. For the two, even their gorgeous voices have been turned away. From folks closing the door on them, turning off the lights, or saying they don't celebrate due to religious differences (okay with them, of course), they've experienced all sorts of rejection. 

At the end of the day, they just really love to sing. And you can see it in the way they go caroling, the flair, the embellishments, and of course, those voices. JMC, Mariah Carey have always brought in the classic vibes of the holidays, the Caroling Divas are working to give us a different sort of reminder this season.