Dexter Patrick S.

Baltazar
COMM 10/ Mendoza
A Semiotic Analysis of “Dati” by Sam Concepcion and Tippy dos Santos
“Dati” is a song composed by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana. This is the winner of
the grand prize in the PhilPop 2013 song writing competition. The piece was interpreted by Sam
Concepcion (known for his Little Big Star journey) and Tippy dos Santos (a homegrown singer
and actress of ABS CBN who appeared first on Ruffa and Ai). It is the ultimate good ol’ days song
that stressed change but also those things that stay the same. Quoting Thyro, the song is about
“reminiscing the things that you used to do with the old crush, first sweetheart. Just reminiscing
the things that you used to do, and how it hasn’t changed up to now.”
The music video of “Dati” is a very dreamy and playful one. In the scenes, childhood
memories are portrayed and given enough detail to produce a certain element of nostalgia.
Moreover, the kids who played the roles of childhood sweethearts really strengthened the premise
of the song because they did reenactments what is written in the lyrics. I would say that in terms
of validating history, the video succeeded as it conveyed a lot of truths that people who were there
to experience the “Princess Sarah” age can relate to. Furthermore, I cannot find any other
questionable scenario except the one where its raining on Tippy’s side while singing the chorus of
the song. Is it just to flaunt they are in fact apart and in different locations or is there more to it?
At the back of my mind, isn’t it a little unfair to have that kind of weather just to depict location?
The sound and vibe of the song is upbeat and happy. In my opinion this is a balancing
choice for the track since the topic of nostalgia and first love really deepens the mood of a person.
These topics reach a boundary of longing thus making someone susceptible to sadness. So, the
rhythm of it seems to work well to contrast the original idea and to lighten up the disposition as
well. The lighting seems to complement the scenes. Lastly, communication played an essential
role in building representations for different parts of the video through its lyrics whereas
representation exerted its main emphasis on producing visuals. Here, the sense of communication
building on representation and vice-versa is potently apparent.
The lyrics of the song is also well-put because of the message that it conveys. As a whole,
it is just all about fond memories of first love and one good thing is that the whole of it focuses on
the topic as comprehensive and vivid as possible. Those parts of “Nintendo” and “tao-tao, piso-
piso” project the realness of being a kid and its incorporation to puppy love since they did it
together back then. There is one line that kind of bothers me for a reason that in our time (21st
century), there has been a lot of changes when it comes to how the society treats women and the
line “Ako ‘yung prinsesang sagip mo palagi” can somewhat shake someone’s feminism heart. This
is not alarming, but women now are stronger than ever and the reference of the Prince Charming
saving his Princess is not as effective to show romanticism as before.
This just goes to show that in the old times, people are attached to the idea that women are
to be saved (basing on the aspect of nostalgia and the Prince Charming rescues Princess reference).
But like the theme of the song, times have changed. Women in society today blossoms with power,
voice, and the one thing that never changed, resilience. Women can do anything. The essence of
this change is formed through hundreds of written and spoken fights towards achieving equality.
Although there may be uncertainties as to what is scoped by this empowerment, a common ground
can still be established--- that change is always inevitable, and it is just one sided, for good or for
bad.
Overall, “Dati” exemplified the youth in ourselves whereas provoking our inner thoughts
on missing someone in the past and looking back on the memories we had with them. It is light,
colorful, and most importantly a series of connected symbolisms that make up ideologies. In my
personal opinion, the song and the music video, although not as sad as what the meaning of the
song imposes, developed a masterpiece through contrast. Contrast really makes a story and it
makes us believe on the things that it tries to build on our minds.