6-year-old kid from Dumanjug town covers ‘coffin dance meme’ song

Photo screenshot from Gamaliel Gerona’s video post

MOALBOAL, CEBU — A 6-year-old child from Dumanjug town, southern Cebu, showed off his piano skills when he did a cover of the “coffin dance meme” song.

The meme song, which was originally from the popular song “Astronomia” by Vicetone & Tony Igy, became popular on social media after it was used in a “coffin dance” video, showing six men carrying a coffin and dancing to a choreographed routine.

Gamaliel Gerona told CDN Digital that his child, Gavin Trey, did the piano cover last April 30, 2020 but he only uploaded the video on May 19, 2020.

“Dugay na nko naupload, pero aku ra gidelete kay mubo ra… giupload ra nko balik,” he said.

(I uploaded before but I deleted it because it’s short. Then I uploaded it again.)

Watch it here:

https://www.facebook.com/cdndigital/videos/886268501848592/

The father said that his child only learned to play the song by listening to it.

“Proud kaayo mi niya pero kabalo mi nga amo sad responsibility ang pagpagawas sa iya potential,” he said.

(We are all proud of him but we know also that we have responsibility to unleash his potential [in music].)

Gamaliel also said that they were surprised when he first found out about the talent of his child.

Gamaliel, a part-time instructor of Cebu Technological University — Dumanjug Campus, added that Gavin started playing with the keyboard when he was 3 years old. He used to play with an old piano of his aunt.

“Sukad 3 yrs old siya gaduwa na siya piano.. naay tutorials sa YouTube.. pero inborn iya pitch…kabalo daan ug notes ug chords.,” he said.

(He started playing piano when he was 3 years old. He just learned it from watching YouTube tutorials. But his pitch is inborn. He already knows notes and chords.)

Gamaliel said that nobody in the family influenced his child to play piano.

Too much gadgets

To improve the inborn talent of Gavin, Gamaliel said that he enrolled his child in a piano lesson in January 2020.

He also shared to CDN Digital the story why he wanted his child to play a musical instrument.

“Naadik nag gadget pag 2 niya… Candy Crush…pati ig palong sa suga ig matog, candies na iya makita,” he said.

(He became addicted to playing mobile games, like Candy Crush. Even at night when hew was going to sleep, he still saw candies [in the game].)

“Mao to nagdecide mi nga ilayo sa gadget,” he added.

(That’s why we decided to lessen his usage of the gadgets)

Now, at the age of 6, Gavin continues to practice his skills.

“Bale reward system….maka tablet na siya basta kay makahuman na practice…    practice involves 4 exercises, 5repetitions… unya siya na bahala sa mga kanta nga iya trip siprahon,” Gamaliel said.

(It’s a reward system, we will reward him a tablet if he keeps doing good in practice. Practice involves 4 exercises, and 5 repetitions. Then, it depends on him what song he wants to play.)

Gamaliel said that he let his child play for an hour so Gavin won’t be fed up with his instrument.

Gavin’s talent was even recognized by Filipino rock band Itchyworms after he made a piano cover of their song, “Silence,” a day after of its release.

Gamaliel also said that they bought a drum set for his child after they saw his potential in playing the instrument.

“Naluoy kos among mga bangko, lamesa, baldi, cabo dre. Sige man dukduk,” he said.

(I pity the chair, table, dipper, bucket in our house. He always hits it.)

This kid seems to have a bright future ahead of him. /bmjo