It has been recorded that karaoke originated in Kobe, Japan. But do you know that the Karaoke Sing Along System (SAS) as in the practical, versatile compact machine which slots in an amplifier speaker, one or two tape devices, optional radio tuner and microphone mixer with elements to augment one’s voice, like the echo or reverberation to build up an opera hall or a studio sound (ok breathe…) with the entire system enclosed in one cabinet casing, is invented by a Filipino? Yes Pinoys, the Karaoke Sing Along System is patented under Roberto del Rosario, a Filipino prodigy.
Bert del Rosario is an acknowledged inventor with more than twenty inventions patented to his name. Some of his noted patents include the Trebel Voice Color Coded (VCC) Sing Along CDs, the piano tuner’s guide, the piano keyboard stressing device, the voice color tape and the one-man-band (OMB). This one-man-band was later built up as the Sing-Along-System (SAS). The Karaoke Sing Along System was patented on 1975. His other inventions include the Golf car trailer and No look-up Device, which shows his leisure pursuit with golf.
Besides being a productive inventor, Bert is also a flourishing businessman and a gifted musician. He is the president of the Trebel Music Corporation and plays various instruments. He learned to play musical instruments without formal lessons, like the piano, accordion and drums. He’s actually a management graduate at the Far Eastern University, which strikes us remarkable that he has made more than twenty inventions without a degree in engineering or even a science course. Talk about born talent!
I read about him saying, “Be observant. Be creative. Most of all, work hard.” It takes a passion for something to create something out of nothing. Like his passion for music which allowed him to learn instruments solely on his own, and later create things that would be of benefit to other music enthusiasts and experts alike.
See? That’s Roberto del Rosario. Way to go Bert!