Songs to sing along to remind Yukoner from Philippines of home

When the Filipino community in Whitehorse gathers for some karaoke, you can bet Nesty Paron will be there.

When we asked him to do this edition of Music That Matters, karaoke favourites from his youth in the Philippines featured prominently.

Frank Sinatra's My Way was his first choice.

"They call it the killer song back home in the Philippines," he said. "Since Frank Sinatra is a baritone, everyone can hit the notes so everyone wants to sing it ... everyone wants to hold the microphone and that's where the conflict starts."

Paron described himself as a "hopeless romantic," and his second choice reminded him of a youthful infatuation.

"The song Crazy for You by Madonna, it's the first song I remember liking when I had a crush on somebody," he said.

Paron made Next In Line by Filipino band Afterimage his third choice, a song the former school teacher said is popular at graduation time.

"I found the lyrics, my first year of teaching, really hit me," he said. "They give inspiration to graduates and (tells them) what to look forward to and what their aspirations in life are."

Paron picked eighties hit Conga by Miami Sound Machine as his fourth pick.

"Back home, we have lots of festivals and I'm a choreographer and performing artist person," he said. "Every time we play this at dances, you can't help yourself from dancing to this music."

Paron's final selection was Pasko Na Sinta Ko by Gary Valenciano.

"Translated into English, it's 'Christmas My Love,'" he said.

"This is my eleventh year away from my family at Christmas. This song really means a lot to us, and every Filipino, when they hear this song, becomes emotional because it speaks a lot about being far away from our family in the Philippines."