Noise culture

Do Loudspeakers Prove Anything? The Culture of Noise in Public Spaces

We’ve all experienced it: riding a bus or sitting in a jeepney, when suddenly someone decides the entire vehicle needs to hear their music or watch their TikTok videos at full volume. No earphones, no consideration—just raw sound blasting through a phone speaker like the rest of us are background extras in their personal music video.

It begs the question: what exactly are they trying to prove?

Noise as a Misplaced Badge of Confidence

For some, loud music in public is a way of saying, “Look at me! I’m here! I matter!” It’s a substitute for presence, a kind of noisy self-assertion. The irony? Instead of respect, it usually breeds irritation.

Much like corruption in government or vote-buying during elections, loudspeaker behavior is a symptom of something deeper: a system of tolerance for inconsiderate actions. Because people rarely get called out, the bad habit thrives.

The Illusion of Power Through Volume

Blasting music in a confined space doesn’t make one powerful or cool. It makes one inconsiderate. True confidence doesn’t need to intrude on others’ peace.

And if we look closer, this mirrors larger cultural problems in the Philippines:

Politicians amplify slogans but not solutions.

Officials make noise during campaigns, then go silent on accountability.

Citizens, frustrated with systemic issues, sometimes channel the same “noise first” attitude in daily life.

Noise becomes a metaphor for pretending to matter without truly contributing value.

Respect is the Real Flex

Just like how good governance requires systems that reward accountability, good public behavior requires social norms that reward respect.

Wearing earphones instead of blasting speakers is not just about courtesy—it’s about recognizing that your freedom ends where another person’s begins.

In the same way, our politics and economy need boundaries that prevent the powerful from trampling over ordinary people.

When we normalize inconsiderate behavior—whether in buses or in politics—we allow “noise” to replace genuine progress.

Reform Starts with Small Things

If we want systemic reform in governance, we should also start demanding reform in everyday behavior. That means:

• Speaking up when noise intrudes on public spaces.
• Modeling respect instead of tolerating selfishness.
• Understanding that “pakisama” doesn’t mean silence in the face of inconsiderate acts.

Because when we let the small forms of disrespect slide, it’s easier to let the bigger ones pass too.

Final Word

So the next time someone blasts their phone speaker on the bus, ask yourself: Is this confidence, or just noise?

In life and in politics, it’s the same lesson: volume is not value. Respect, accountability, and consideration are.

Real maturity is not about how loud you can be—it’s about how much peace you allow others to have.