Huni as Ukulele in UkeCebu

The love of Filipinos for Ukulele, a small, guitar –like, 19 century instrument from Hawaii is amplified by Huni, Brian “Syo Ngee” Brusas’s own brand of Ukuleles available in the store he also founded: ukecebu, located in Mandaue, Cebu, Philippines.

Prior to my visit, I could only remember the instrument was first introduced to me back in elementary days. Although The idea of the instrument brought on few songs I like from movies starred by Adam Sandler where he played the songs; “ I want to grow old with you” from the Wedding Singer and “ Forgetful Lucy” from my all-time favorite love story 50 first dates! Since then I have seen people playing it once in a while. So far as Cebu is concerned, It is prudent to say that Ukulele is not the kind of instrument that you see every day around everywhere as oppose to the rampant use of the regular guitar so, to me, the plan of actually holding and knowing it was not provocative until a very a good friend started posting videos of him playing it well and to top it off, owning a store that produces Ukelele!

As a curious person and a music lover my self, my first visit was a promise to experience the overall role of the contemporary Ukulele store in Cebu! The store is on the second floor of the building, I could see through the glass sliding door the variety of cute ukuleles! He hangs these on the wall while you see some sitting by the couch to not only display these as merchandises but also to accentuate the instruments as good choice of decorative too. Shortly after the exchange of friendly greetings, I was on the move of examining the what seemed to me like a variety of elegance in terms of the details each Ukulele was designed. So I started asking questions while I grabbed one Ukulele from the wall.

Jr:  Why Huni? 

Syo Ngee: ”Huni” is a Filipino or Cebuano word that means chirping or hooting of birds or fowls. It could also mean sound, tone, song, music, melody, or musical tune; making it as an instrument of calmness from a genuine Filipino product.

Jr:   How does one particularly differ from the other

Syo Ngee:  Some of these Ukuleles are custom made to give a sense of freedom of preference for the players. Some are my own designes while others are crafted for their sole purpose like the ones I produce for students in schools.

 handcrafted custom-made Ukulele

Jr:   How did you come about the business? 

Syo Ngee:   I started off as a regular player. By the time I was learning Ukulele with some friends, I sort of developed a sense of deep passion towards the instrument. The unique calming sound it produces resonates my easy going personality. Then I started searching for sources of Ukulele around Cebu until I found out the need for reinforcement of affordable but high quality Ukuleles and I thought it would be a great opportunity for business.

Jr: I notice this glaring, shiny lace around the sound hole, what is this?

Syo Ngee: It is a New Zealand Paua shell, one of our materials for designs, its a shell commonly found in shallow coastal waters along rocky shorelines.

Jr:   What is the latest one you have produced

Syo Ngee: We are recently accepting orders, some are from the states for Ukuleles made out of pure Philippine Solid Bamboo- from its Sound Board, Side and Back, Arm, Neck, all the way to its Fretboard. At this point of time, With the current environmental challenges in the country, we can’t go on with our business without the moral and social obligation to our natural resources.

With this in mind, we decided to sell all our existing inventory of ukuleles and shift to making majority of them out of sustainable BAMBOO from our managed forests. 

Jr:   Have been in close contact with other Ukuleles lovers in the area?

Syo Ngee: I have had attendances at some events aiming to promote my product. But the store with its role, does not not only bring Ukulele enthusiasts together for jamming sessions, but also invites other people to experience its unique, soothing, Hawaiian sound!

There was an inevitable fostering of interest in me towards the instrument and a call for jamming session! I was fortunate to have been taught with some of the basic chords by the Ukecebu owner himself!

We sang a few songs like “somewhere over the rainbow” followed by what I thought to be the highlight of my Ukulele realization: According to him, his gratitude goes out to his partners who actually make them,  that his ukuleles, in particular, are the distinctive mark of a true Cebuano talents in Ukulele making and he advocates the continues opportunity for them to showcase their craftsmanship inspired by his own expression of his passion for Ukuleles.
To learn more about Huni, you may visit https://www.facebook.com/UkeCebuShop