“Wala’ng Personalan, Pera pera lang to”

Me, while making a political jingle

Although I’m loathe to lend my musical talents to create political jingles, I am not above it and I have created a jingle or two for political reasons. I’ll take the money, come up with 4 chords, a hook, and swallow my pride.

Also, this is a good way for musicians to earn a load of cash in one go. The question is, how low are you willing to go to sell your soul to the devil and what are you wiling to swallow just to earn a few thousand pesos?

Ok, so it’s almost May and people are scrambling to cash in on the election fever.

Why?

Because in the Philippines, election season isn’t just about politics—it’s a full-blown fiesta!

Streets get flooded with banners, people wear campaign shirts like concert merch, and of course, there’s one thing that never fails to take over the airwaves: political jingles. If you’re a musician looking for a hustle, this is one raket that can be surprisingly profitable!

But before you dive in, understand this: writing political jingles isn’t just about rhyming a candidate’s name with “Serbisyo Tunay.” It’s a craft that requires creativity, understanding, and a strategic approach.

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Why Political Jingles Work Like Magic

People might forget a candidate’s promises, but a catchy tune? That sticks! Just think of all the commercial jingles stuck in your head from childhood. Campaign teams know this, which is why they invest heavily in music that influences voters.

Here’s why political jingles are effective:

• They create feelings of excitement and loyalty.
• They make candidates more relatable and memorable.
• They reach a massive audience, even those who don’t follow politics.

If done right, your jingle could be playing in every barangay, tricycle, and Facebook video throughout campaign season!

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How to Write a Winning Political Jingle

1. Know the Candidate’s Brand

Every politician has a unique personal take on their platform. Some want to be seen as “Tatay ng Masa,” while others position themselves as “Bagong Lider ng Bayan.” Your job is to translate that image into a song that resonates.

Quick Tip: Ask the campaign team about the candidate’s key messages. Align your lyrics with their core political views. Ask as many questions as you can to get a better picture of what, and whom you are writing a song about.

2. Keep It Simple and Catchy

This isn’t a rock opera or a progressive jazz masterpiece. The best political jingles are short, repetitive, and easy to sing along to. Think of how people naturally chant in rallies—your jingle should fit that vibe.

Quick Tip: Use a melody that’s upbeat and easy to remember. A good test? If a kid can hum it after one listen, you’ve nailed it! My first few jingles were failures because I wanted to cram in a thousand notes and not focus on making a simple, memorable ditty.

3. Use Familiar Melodies (But Be Careful!)

A lot of campaigns adapt existing songs (think “Baby Shark” but political). This works because familiarity makes it easier for people to engage. However, be mindful of copyright issues! Either get permission or tweak the melody enough to make it unique.

Quick Tip: Folk tunes and classic OPM beats are great inspirations. Just add your own twist!

4. Craft Lyrics That Hit Home

A good jingle is more than just a name-drop fest. It should connect with voters emotionally. Focus on:

• What problems the candidate wants to solve
• How they represent the people
• Their vision for the future

Avoid vague buzzwords. Instead of just saying “Para sa Bayan,” make it specific: “Libreng tuition, bagong trabaho, paglaban sa gutom!”

Quick Tip: Keep it POSITIVE. Bashing opponents might backfire, and campaigns are about respecting others, not tearing them down. Mudslinging no longer really works that much these days because people are smarter now when it comes to voting for their candidates.

5. Test It With Real People

Before finalizing your jingle, play it for regular folks—vendors, drivers, students. See if they get the message and if they like the tune. If they start singing along? You’re on the right track!

Quick Tip: Record your jingle and play it back to yourself. You can also let others hear this playback if you’re not keen on plying it to them live.

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The Business Side: Making Money From Political Jingles

Now let’s talk numbers. How much can you actually earn from this musician hustle?

Pricing Your Work

Rates vary, but here’s a rough breakdown:

• P10,000 – P50,000 for a basic jingle (lyrics + melody)
• P50,000 – P150,000 for a full production (with recording, mixing, and session musicians)
• Higher rates for nationwide campaigns

Dealing With Clients

Politicians can be tricky clients. Some have strong political leanings that might not align with yours. Others may want endless revisions. Here’s how to handle them:

Quick Tip: Have a contract! Define the scope, number of revisions, and payment terms. Always get a down payment.

Staying Objective (Even When Politics Gets Messy)

Writing for a campaign doesn’t mean you have to support the candidate. This is work, not a loyalty test! Keep your emotions in check and focus on delivering a solid product.

If you’re uncomfortable with a client’s political views, you can always decline. But if you take the job, approach it professionally—with tolerance and understanding.

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Final Thoughts: Turn Your Talent Into a Raket!

Election season is a goldmine for musicians willing to embrace the hustle. If you can write catchy, compelling political jingles, you’ll not only make money—you’ll have your work heard by millions!

So, are you ready to turn your musical skills into a campaign anthem? The next big jingle might just be yours!

Oh and there are other ways to make money during the campaign season. For example, I no longer make jingles, instead, I focus on selling promotional materials like shirts, posters, and other small collectibles like pins and wrist bands or ballers.

So once again, pera pera lang to, wala’ng personalan.

Need a jingle? Don’t send me an email because although I might do it, there’s a higher probability that I might not. But you have to understand that I also offer other services that could help you in your campaign. Hey, I could write your scripts or spiels! Hahahaha okay, that’s it for now!

I think I’ve had enough of politics for the week today just by writing this.