LALA - FROM INDONESIA WITH LOVE

“Sa Indonesia before I had a band and I also did some acting for some soups and telenovelas. Tapos, I made a video clip, then my manager saw the video clip so he invited me here; introduced me to Warner. The following year bumalik ako dito, and I made an album,” was Lala's commencement to herself as we grilled her for an hour or two of interview.

Lala is a fair equation of a Filipino and Indonesian bloodline. She tries to confirm, “half Filipino, half Indonesian. My mother is Filipina, my father is Indonesian. I was born and I grew up in Indonesia.”

Though Tagalog seems yet to pull her tongue up-side-down, she can, satisfactorily speak and assimilate few with frank accentuation. Nevertheless, Lala is another up and coming sexy figure in the music industry, if you won't mind, as long as vital statistics are concerned.

Being in the Philippines for quite some time, gives her more than just the opportunity to mature, face the reality of life but also gives her more time to count her blessings.

She tells us, “I would still go back to Indonesia. Indonesia will always be my home. As of now Filipinos had given me some that Indonesia didn't give me. Like being here, I became more mature and more independent because I really got out of my comfort zone. I face everything, I saw the silver lining to it and I consider it as a blessing.” Obviously, count it pure blessing when Lala was doubled by one of the Philippines pop-ballad prince Christian Bautista in her song titled “Unsaid.” Lala thankfull stressed, “I would like to work again with him. He was really nice to work with, a very nice person.”

Up to a certain extent that the Filipinos' appreciative and lively nature cuddles her to our shore despite two countries love music. She figures out, “the audiences in the Philippines are definitely more alive, they are very outspoken and they are very appreciative. In Indonesia people there are more conservative more shy but they also appreciate music and they also make good music.”

She's just beginning to kindle the torch of her musical career. Not done yet, Lala's objective evidence of her musical creativeness is assertive that she's now beginning to flap her wings.

“Stars,” Lala's debut album gave her a redefined appraisal of herself. Lala asserts, “the album itself, are made-up of ten tracks. And I composed most of the songs when I was in high school going to college. So I experienced lot of things at that time; friendship, love and that's the message that I'm trying to share with the listeners and hopefully they can relate to it to their own personal experience.”


And she's going pop with a shared brew of alternative and rock, “pop with an edge to it. It's not really hard, or hard alternative or hard rock, but it has a bit of influence to it,” Lala describes. Perhaps we can equate that in every special artist there is a special album, and in every special album, a special song. Lala got a nice pick, she goes, “for example Waitin' (carrier single) I hope a lot of people can relate to that. I know in their life there is point where you have to wait for something or for someone.”

At the receiving end we as well as her fans and supporters are eager of how does she coming up her mind with her consecutive album; she told us expectantly “of course for the second album, I dream big. Hopefully my music get to be accepted not only here in the Philippines but also outside Philippines, like Asia and even the world (and a big round smile).”

Picking up bits from the piece isn't worth knowing enough, we're still at edge of knowing her the more; her thoughts, idealism, emotions and sense of wit, as there are more to her than meets the eyes.

POINT-OF-VIEW
If you were to ask me to attend your show, how would you tell me why I should be there?
Definitely of you are their and you are standing, you gonna go home dancing (laughs), and I hope I can do that.

What is the hardest part in playing music?
Actually it's all good. Like doing this album is all fun and relaxing. It was nice to having support from the people you love. But their was one, because pressure can get you a bit frustrated and get your mind tired, I guess it's pressure.

How do you rate your LIVE performances as of the present? Say (1-10)
I don't know how to rate one to ten, but I think I'm still learning, still grasping what the audience tries to say. Let other people rate me. I hope I can always improve. It's like I'm performing for the first and last time.

“I hope I get be known through my music and I hope that the way I look would be an additional to that. One day I gonna get old, hope people would still remember my music, and I hope I get to achieve that.”

When it comes to music, what do you think is unique in you from the other artists?
I write my own song. So I get to put a peace of myself to the music and that would differentiate me from other artists. For example, Sinosikat? or Barbie or Kitchie Nadal make their own song, then Kitchie would be Kitchie and Barbie would be Barbie and Lala would be Lala, they would have their own character on to it.

What do you think is most important, the image of the music or the image of the artist?
I hope I get be known through my music and I hope that the way I look would be an additional to that. One day I gonna get old, hope people would still remember my music, and I hope I get to achieve that.

Your opinion about music piracy?
(Laughs) When I first heard that my CD was pirated already and was being sold in Metrowalk for thirty pesos, oh really it's pirated na, oh damn it's pirated! So the demand is high that they pirate it and it's also sad for the royalty, and it's lugi talaga. But also lugi for those who buy pirated because of the quality.

Short message to your readers and fans in Indonesian language.
Kejarla mimpi, jadilah diri sendiri jangan menyerah, jagalah iman. (Never give-up on your dreams always be yourself and always try never give-up and always have faith.)



KNICK-KNACKS

What's your favorite word?
(Thinking long) Faith!

If you could invent a new instrument, what would it sound like?
(Laughs) It would sound like a clap (clapping). Or like a wind. I'll call it, Winder (laughs).

Do you think music can heal sick people?
Yeah. I Hope so. I music can make them happy, then I think happiness can help people feel better.

If you were not a singer, who would you be?
Maybe, I'd like to be a business woman or maybe an actress because I'm interested in acting.

What do you think the world would be like without music?
The world would be dull. A life without music is not a life. I'm sorry I'm very much in love with music.

“Kejarla mimpi, jadilah diri sendiri jangan menyerah, jagalah iman. (Never give-up on your dreams always be yourself and always try never give-up and always have faith.)”

If you were a song, what song would you be and why?
Lalala (goes singing lalalala)!

If you could hear what someone is thinking for a day, who would you choose?
My mom. (laughs) So I won't have so many arguments with her (laughs).

If you could date a celebrity, who would you choose?
Tom Yorke (giggles). I also maybe would love to date Erlend Ǿye from the Kings Of Convenience so he can play guitar all night long and I just listen to him.

If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do?
(Singing) I'd sing, sing, sing! I would hug the people and kiss the people who I love in this world. Run away, run around naked (laugh).

If the whole world were listening, what would you say?
Make love not war. Love music. Don't give up. Always have faith and oh, remember God, love God and fear God.

If you could ask God any one question, what would it be?
Am I going to heaven? (laughs).

What is the sweetest compliment you ever heard about you?
That's when somebody complemented about my composition, my song that means really a lot to me. But also actually when they criticize me, I also take it in and parang I'm trying to improve from it. Kasi those criticisms and those things that people tell me keeps me on the ground. Having too many complements might get yourself big head. So you have to balance it also. I like it the most when they say 'you're talented.'

If you could have any one supernatural power (flying, being invisible), which would you choose and why?
Teleport! I would go to the past and meet with all the good musicians like the Beatles, Hendrix and everybody (laughs).

If you could not differentiate beautiful from ugly, how would choose your spouse?
(Thinking hard enough, eye-balls up) I'll see them through their personality, honesty way of loving me, the way he makes me feel. So it's not like what I always see, but how he makes my heart feel.

♫♫♫

SPONGE COLA - BETTER THAN EVER

Time's still young for the sunset to eclipse Sponge Cola who's getting better than ever. Awards and recognitions that went after and even before their musical inventiveness teases them to a level-up.

Their objective performances are assertive enough that these warm-blooded rock act has something more to prove. This bold thought was just redeemed by the recently concluded Music Video Premiere of their single “Movie.” A music video done with practical and intuitive vision to further spice up the group's searing musical career, with ordinate intent for self-expression and maturation through music. Common artists' sentiments tell us that doing music video is not as easy we think, rather, each scene is worth forty-winks with shared indulgence of time, money, energy and supportive staff.

These guys isn't just geared for any gig schedules and respectable complements, they're also apt for a generous amount of time shared on us despite the tiring schedules. So grateful that we've been favored once more to have them for a photo shot and interview sessions speaking-out their thoughts.

Like any other humble beginnings, Sponge Cola started picking up pieces from their previous experiences, more in particular musical and theatrical. These guys all came from the same academic asylum of Ateneo. This league of young gentlemen was convened during their high school days.

Yael speaks, “Gosh and I were classmates. Si Chris kasama namin sa Theatro Baguntao. Armo was a theater goer. So, ganon kami nagsimula, and actually magkaka-batch kami noong high school.”

And how was Sponge Cola doing better than ever could be partly accounted to their early exposure. Teatro Baguntao and White Chapel were phenomenal in the formation of this group. “To a certain extent my naturo s'ya sa amin na sense of decipline na naincorporate namin sa performance and sa songwriting and in life in general, in work ethic.

In a nutshell it helps shape us hindi lang sa music kundi pati sa aming everyday life, kaya irerecommend namin yan (theater, Theatro Baguntao) sa mga bata kasi ibang klase ng disiplina yan eh,” explains Yael, the bands front man and spokesperson. Well enough that speaks of their 5 years of their musical existence.


Yael speaks wiser now, “well a little bit older, a little bit wiser. We’re just having fun really. Masaya, we enjoy each other’s company.” And it's even wiser with their auspicious rapport with their respective recording label providers. “Ok naman. Maganda. We say hi, hello,” the group chorused.

After such retrospect, the present stream of thought will tell us better than ever. Just after they graduated college, they recorded their second album “Transit.” The album was released on September with a launch party in Metrowalk, Ortigas, under Universal Records. “The material was written naman at the time na parang ang song is written for the album hindi parang a collaboration or compilation of songs. Parang mayroon syang awareness sa amin as writers and as musicians. Meron kaming awareness na it's part of an album. Hindi s'ya mere compilation because compilation is just stringing together songs and putting them on one album. And all songs in transit are all-original songs,” Yael elaborated.

The album was spearheaded by the single Bitiw, which enjoyed a massive airplay and a bonus package when it became a theme song of the ABS-CBN's weekly movie series Pedro Penduko. While the album itself is being figured-out by its containing tracks, revival or original, just happened to ask them if there is any song in the album which became a hit, unexpectedly by them.

Yael with reassuring thought elucidated, “we can't really tell sa totoo lang. We just play them. People will just listen, sometimes they don't. Kaya you can't really tell. Saka minsan parang tsambahan s'ya. Parang kung mabait ka, hindi mo naman masasabing mabait ka eh. Ang nakakasabi lang nyan ay yung mga taong nakakasama nyo. Para kasing mayabang ka na pag kusa mong sinabing mabait ka na, parang ganon. So we can't really tell. To our standpoint we are biased if we say we made it.”

“Music is used to enrich your life and it makes life worth living. Good health is good, but it could be much better with music.”

As expectant fanatics and supporters, we are at the receiving end waiting for more after the foretaste of the recent work of art. Yael reassures, “well, as of now, we just in fact released our new single (music video of “Movie”), kaninang umaga lang yun (that's August 1) . Once again the plan is to come up with songs, it is where the album will come out. Hindi sya parang, oy gawa tayo ng album kailangan eh sige labas lahat (laughs). But as of now we are just focusing on the now of the things. Patuloy pa rin kaming gagawa ng mga kanta na kagigiliwan nating lahat, hopefully kagigiliwan nating lahat.”



BIRD'S EYE VIEW

What is your impression about your fellow rock artists?
Well, lahat naman kasi ng bands nasa isang scene lang. The more the merrier. Saka kanya-kanyang gawa, kanya-kanyang trip. Hindi naman kami nag-aaway-away, kumbaga, kanya-kanya eh, iba yung trip namin, iba yung trip nila.

What are your opinions about some bands splitting away at this moment?
Di naman actually s'ya trend ngayon or anything. Personal decisions yan of an individuals who work in a group and nagkataon lang siguro na nagkasabay. Wala naman sigurong trend doon. Saka meron silang magandang rason kung bakit nila ginagawa yon na pueding alam natin, pueding hindi.

Do you believe in the possibility that same thing will happen soon to your group?
Oo naman! Totoo naman, di ba! Saka di naman tayo peuding mag-ilusyon na ah, friends tayo lahat forever. Meron talagang possibility, but with us as much as possible, ayaw namin mangyari yan sa grupo.

“Ginagawa lang namin kung ano yung ginagawa ng maraming banda, then in our uniqueness we are all the same.”

How would you explain to your fans if things such as that will happen?
Siguro poproblemahin na lang namin yan pag-umabot na kami doon. Saka di naman namin muna kailangang mag-practice (laughs).

How do you see music? Do you see it as business, career or a sort of hanap buhay?
Circus! (laughs). Marami, music is a many splendored things. Music talaga is pangangailan s'ya ng tao na ma-express ang kanyang sarili. O, pangangailangan ng tao na makarinig ng bagay na hindi pag pokpok ng martilyo or pagbusina ng mga jeep. Kaya kailangan may marinig kang something na puede mong iuwi na ipapaalala sa'yo yung experience na masaya na puede mong ulit-ulitin na maalala mo. Music is used to enrich your life and it makes life worth living. Good health is good, but it could be much better with music. At ang pinakamagandang nagagawa nya is una-una, di rin naman ganon kamahal ang music. Kasi sabihin mo lang sa kapatid mo tsong kanta ka naman dyan (laughs). Para syang asin, mahirap kainin ang pagkaing walang asin.

Given the chance to rate your live performances from 1-10, how would you rate it?
Minsan 10, minsan 2 (laughs). Minsan 11, minsan negative 5 (laughs). My moments din kasi ang pagtugtug ng music eh. Saka minsan maganda rin lumalampas ng ten, kunyari nagiging twelve, ganon, kasi parang pinagpractisan mo pati yung mga sinasabi. Saka possible lang siguro yung 11 saka 12 kung nakaka-experience ka ng mga negative side.


Do you believe music helps in the development of the our society? How?
Of course, maraming ways. Of course music, kapag sinabi nating music na may lyrics and language involved na, nafa-further n'ya ang sense of nationalism ng isang grupo ng mga tao. Nagkakaroon din yan epikto kapag sama-samang kumakanta ang mga tao at may iisang kantang kinagigiliwan, nagkakaroon sila ng feeling of unity and togetherness. Say for example, wala namang bansang walang national anthem. Kasi puede rin namang mag panatang makabayan na lang tayong lahat eh (laughs). Pero maganda talaga yung Lupang Hinirang kasi may tuno s'ya eh. Mas maganda talaga pag may tuno kasi mas naisasapuso mo sya eh. It's also the way na yung pattern ng buhay napa-pass down. Kunyari di natin alam kung ano yung buhay ng seventies, makinig tayo sa music nila then malalaman natin ah ganon pala sila. Kong 'di man eksakto, mayroon kang idea.

What is your opinion about music piracy?
Kanser ng lipunan yun eh! (laughs). Basta...umm(thinking), basta masama yun eh, yun lang(laughs). Parang wala kang magagawa eh, some people just do that. At least matutuwa ka na lang na may iba pa rin namang taong bumibili ng album. Nererespeto pa rin yung mga pinaghirapan namin.

There is a controversy with the song “Crazy For You” that you were identified as the original instead of Madonna, can you clarify?
Dati mayroon, pero ngayon wala na yon. May na skip kasing generation ang music eh. Sometimes 'di naman s'ya umabot to a certain batch of listeners kaya nagka-come up s'ya na parang yung remake naging first time experience s'ya. Kaya, we can't blame people naman for not being born to relieve at that point. Kahit naman yung version namin luma na rin. Ginawa na lang namin live recordings. Tuloy lang ang ligaya.

Yael, how is your career as a vocalist?
Ok pa naman, di pa naman sya past tense (laughs). Ano pa naman sya, 'is' pa naman. Ok, masaya at minsan nakakapagud.

Erwin, as a lead guitarist, how was that?
May igagaling pa (laughs). Patuloy pa rin na magpapagaling. Ayaw ko namang tumigil sa point na, ah ito na lang ang kaya kung gawin, o kaya puede na to, ito lang mga alam ko. Gusto ko matuto ng mga bago.

Gosh, how about being a bassist?
Actually we have the same point. Copy paste na lang (laughs)!

Chris, yours as a drummer?
Ganon din, copy paste (laughs)!

Aside from music, what are those values you've learned as a band?
Well, teamwork, camaraderie, nationalism (laughs), pasensya, being thrifty. Kasi it doesn't matter naman kasi kung nagbanda ka o basketball player ka o dancer ka. Parang bottom line na nasa sa'yo eh kung paano ka matututo. Hindi nagma-matter kung ano yang ginagawa mo, basta gawin mo sya'ng tama. Saka, it is not the spoon that bends, it is you.

What are your claim to fame, what do you have that others don't?
Parang wala eh. Lahat naman kasi ng ginagawa namin nakikita rin namin sa ibang banda eh. (Singing) pantay-pantay lang walang lamangan (laughs). Tumatrabaho naman kami para sa music namin, ginagawa rin naman ng ibang banda yon. Ginagawa lang namin kung ano yung ginagawa ng maraming banda, then in our uniqueness we are all the same.

Do you feel you have something more to prove?
Meron, pero hindi namin sya ginagawang parang driving force. Hindi kami doon naka-fucos na parang lahat ng gagawin namin may kailangang patunayan. Pero ginagawa lang namin kung ano sa tingin namin kung ano yung nararapat.

Despite complements and regards you received from fans, do experience rejection on the other hand?
Kasama naman ata eh. Kung may mga taong pumupuri sayo, di hamak naman na may mga taong aayaw sa yo. Isipin mo na lang si Cobe Bryant, maraming gusto sa kanya, marami din namang ayaw sa kanya. Hindi mo naman maiiwasan 'yon. Kami ginagawa lang namin ang nararapat. 'Di rin masasabi na nakikita yan sa paramihan ng binta ng album. Kunyari nakabinta ka ng isang milyong album pero isang tao lang pala bumili noon. O 'di kaya bumili ang isang tao ng maraming album, wala namang nakinig noon. O 'di kaya'y sinunug naman nila lahat.

If you were to ask me to attend your show, how would you tell me why I should be there?
Pumunta ka, kung ayaw mong pumunta, pumunta ka (laughs). Kung gusto nyo marinig kanta namin, punta kayo (smiles). Saka kung mapipilitan rin lang naman silang pumunta, hindi rin nila mai-enjoy.

What do you think is most important, the image of the group or the image of the music?
Music. Kasi di naman kami 'sikatans' eh, musicians kami. Mas priority palagi ang music kasi, ang kasikatan kasi by-product naman sya ng kung ano yung music nyo. Dapat una talaga palagi yung music.

If ask to sing or perform for the last time what would be that song that you will be singing?
(laughs) Siguro, Jeepney. Every gig naman kasi 'yun yung last song namin eh. Parang live your life like your living it the last day.

♫♫♫

JAYSON FERNANDEZ - FILLS THE VOID

Since the Rivermaya's turbulent days that they have lost their vocal front man, we've been left wandering and dumbfounded of who would surrogate the orphaned guys of the band Rivermaya. It wasn't a long time since the band and their management scouted for the “one” among the thousand willing souls. At that momentum, the Rivermaya circle and management was left hanging in the mid-air, eagerly and patiently waiting and critiquing walk-in contestants.

Among the many daring individuals that perhaps not so different from the others, one stand and radiates the most that brought comely resonance on the questers senses. Jayson Fernandez, an 18 year-old fair-skinned; a tall and not so tall guy of a height of 5 feet and 8 inches from Manguisoc, Camarines Norte.

One among the 500 hundred wannabes, one among the final thirteen, and the last man standing at the final day of reckoning. Now he stands with redefined pride side-by-side with his musical cronies - Mark Escueta, Mike Elgar and Japs Sergio.

For a treasured moment, Jayson shared his worthwhile endeavor as he finds his way to the Rivermaya's portal; the way he feels, the way he deals with the new founded career and the way he sees things from a distance.

At first impression Jayson shows an overwhelming surprise over the impressive turn of fate, “syempre masaya (smiled), hindi ko ini-expect na ako 'yung magiging kapamilya nila, Jason eagerly told us. He is, in an obvious outset of his career, on a getting-to-know-each-other with his buddies whom he has just known perhaps loosely by the songs they sang and some other facets they project. Yet, he is now part and parcel of this musical fold of whom he is to spend part of his life and soul.

He will be part of their success and failure story; he who will uphold the other end of the balance. Jayson reevaluates his colleagues, “mabait silang lahat sa akin eh. Tapos maalaga sila. Marami akong natututunang mga bagay na kailangan kong matutunan. Katulad ng kailangan 'yung discipline, h'wag lalaki ang ulo, maging masipag at dedicated sa trabaho.” Whatever it will take him to dance with the bands schedules and demands, Jayson just got a tough rebuttal, “iba na kasi ngayon eh. Nagsimula kasi tumugtog sa mga bars, ngayon ko nalaman na ibang klaseng mundo meron sa ganitong eksena. Nag-a-adjust ako ngayon pagdating sa tulog [laughs] pero okey lang naman. Kasi hinanda ko na ang sarili ko sa mga ganitong bagay.”

Besides the outright preparedness and diligence, Jayson shares, in turn, his expectations and his share of his duty, he elaborates, “sa management, okey naman 'yung treatment nila sa akin, masaya palagi. Mas maging matatag kaming lahat. Sa bandmates, mas maging malawak 'yung samahan, matibay at maayos. Like pagdating sa tugtugan mas maraming klaseng music 'yung mabubuo.” Besides, at his early exposure to the band, he already asserted his confidence and sense of camaraderie over them, “kasi kapag nagsama-sama 'yung mga ideas namin mas maganda 'yung kalalabasan nung music namin,” Jayson asserts.

He went further searching his heart, thinking of those individuals welcoming his to his musical asylum. Gratefully he told us, “ahem..ano ba? [thinking before utters some words] just met Kamikazee, Parokya Ni Edgar, they had a welcome party for me [smiles]. 'Yung mag-welcome nila sa akin (about other bands) maayos. Sa industry naman ganu'n din eh, masaya.” So far as his preparedness is telling a lot of the way he will deal with the situation, nonetheless, Jayson shares his rookie thing, he said, “pagdating sa recording 'yung hardest part? First time ko kasi mag-recording eh. Siguro 'yung nahihiya ako sa kanila, pero tinuturo naman nila sa akin 'yung kailangan kong gawin.”

Receiving the other end of the rope isn't just an easy game to play, it's worth an obligation coupled with discipline and decent rapport with whom he will be meeting from his band mates, management all the way to the listening populace. Jayson reaffirmed his duty, “for my management, magiging matino ako, I mean hindi ako magiging pasaway. Laging maging on-time, professional sa lahat ng gagawin, h'wag lalaki ang ulo, 'yun basta't maging disiplinado lang. Sa bandmates ko ang mapapangako ko lang, basta gagawin ko lang lahat , hanggang sa makakaya ko talaga. Lahat ng p'wede kong ma-contribute sa banda, 'yun din hindi ako magiging pasaway. Sa supporters ng banda, ipapakita ko sa kanila na 'yung pagtitiwala nila sa akin bibigyan ko sila ng mas maganda, bagong tunog, 'yung ang ma-expect nila sa akin.” With further assuring thought about his new perspective and style with his music.

Steel Dragon, Aerosmith, Metallica, Hinder are just few of Jason's music mirror wherein he channel his thought of musical influences. He reaffirms, “sa foreign gusto kong mga banda kagaya ng Steel Dragon, Aerosmith, Metallica, mga heavy pero meron ding alternative kagaya ng Hinder, banda talaga ang sounds ko eh, walang solo artist. Sa local? Gusto ko 'yung mga classic kagaya n'ung 'Buklod.' Kasi 'yung lyrics napaka lalim pero maiintindihan mo talaga s'ya.” With particular selections with the song types such as, he posited, “gusto ko 'yung mga isinulat ni Noel Cabangon talaga. Meron lang akong mga gustong kanta na, ano ba tawag dun? (asking Mark) pang aktibista, 'yung the jerks' , 'blues,' mga ganun. Makikita mo lang sa kanta 'yung nararamdaman nila, 'yung gusto nilang mangyari, magkaroon ng peace, parang anthemic Gusto ko rin si Babyface, magaling s'yang songwriter.”

Before, the dawn of the his new founded career, Jayson was an academic guy, typically tying his shoes, donning his homeworks and humming tunes. Would he rather face the call of the academy in case a hefty chance arrives, he explains, “gusto ko talagang bumalik sa school pero hindi ko pa alam kung kailan eh. Just in case gusto kong kunin about computers.”

Jayson told us his bold reassurance about his obstinate stand on his healthy rapport on to his band members and management, he asserts “ang hirap sagutin. Wala pa naman sa isip ko 'yun eh. Tama na 'yung nangyari dati. Kasi masakit din sa akin 'yung nangyari sa kanila, kaya sa akin hindi mangyayari 'yun.” It reverberated to some humorous thoughts, Lizza (band manager) laughingly explained, “'yung cold pizza [laughs].” Mark on the other corner butts-in, “kapag umalis s'ya sa amin, aalis na rin kaming tatlo.”

At the interviews ending, we asked him how he scribbles his songs and in the near future would wow his audiences he delightfully told us, “oh, it comes naturally [smiles]. Para sa akin mas mabilis kang makakagawa ng song kung meron kang inspirasyon. Kasi ang ginawa ko dun sa song sa audition is based sa mga pinag-dadaanan ko nung the whole episodes. 'Yung mga nangyayari sa amin, mga challenges n'ung 13 (contestants) pa kami. Inisip ko na gumawa ng kanta tungkol sa mga taong nakasama at napagdaanan namin simula ng umpisa. Hanggang sa nagawa ko na 'yung song na 'yun.”

At his ending thought, he cuddles all those whom he has indebtedness and with great sense of gratitude said, “unang-una gusto kong pasalamatan 'yung nasa itaas na binigyan n'ya ako ng pagkakataon. Nagpapasalamat din ako na 'yung naging kapamiya ko ngayon, mga bago kong kasama mababait silang lahat sa akin, which is do-doblehin ko 'yun, sa kanila kasi 'yun naman talaga ang dapat. Sa family ko, sa pagtitiwala nila sa akin at s'yempre sa mga tao na naniwala sa kakayahan ko. Hindi ko alam kong paano pa sila pasasalamatan. Kasi kapag sinabi ko lang ng 'salamat' may mas malalim pa dun na galing talaga sa puso ko.”

We at the receiving end of their musical expressions and endeavor are far more hopeful and barely can't wait what this newly completed puzzle of the Rivermaya can give and show the masses after their saga and now they’re coming up to the open again. As far as their member’s integrity and responsiveness are concerned, we are much assured of a different Rivermaya triumphantly striding their way to the promising daylight of their career.

♫♫♫

MIGUEL ESCUETA: MUSIC IN THE MAKING

Another assuring musical hunk just got the gut and the glorious artistry to make it to the promising musical heyday.



Miguel Escueta is the name queuing and hunkering along the line of young Filipino renowned artists. The uncompromising aesthetic persuasion of his voice extends to the faculty of his physical picture, considerably taking the big pie of the entertainment platform. What more? With Miguel's debut album packaging mostly of his chart-topping all-original compositions; containing his reminiscence and introspection of personal and inter-personal experiences, we can say this young blood has something to prove.



Ateneo was Miguel's academic refuge with obviously grand academic departure. During high school and college, Miguel started as typical freewheeling school boy donning his homework, tying his shoe and dribbling his ball as he himself was a former basketball player of that institution. He has no much ado about anything else, not even singing, save study of course! By creative choice, cuddled by his heart’s content, music will define Miguel Escueta as he speak out his thoughts which brought him right through here.



Now, we have the honor to elicit from this young man some of those really big deals as he narrates...



Any stories to tell before you formally started as a solo artist?

“When I was in high school and college, music was always part of my everyday life. Pero not something serious, just for fun. I was more into studying, basketball. Music was always just at the back. I only decided to peruse this after I graduated in college.”



What is your idealism about music?

“Now that I'm pursuing this career, music is what I love that's why I'm doing this. I think music brings color into the world. Without music everything will be dead.”



What is the hardest part in playing music?

“Hardest part!? [Exclaimed]...I don't find anything hard? You know, every aspect of it is tiring, but we love to do it, so I don't find anything about it so difficult.”



How do you rate your LIVE performances as of the present?

Say (1-10) “Right now, siguro mga 8.”



What do you think is most important, the image of the artist or the image of the music?

“I think the music, because the music must be the image of the performer.”



The first thing we should know about Miguel Escueta?

[A long introspecting pause] “Ang hirap ng mga tanong [laughs]...I guess when you talk about me it would be the things that are important to me are the things that involved family, friends, music, basketball and extracurricular works and of course, the importance of God's presence into my life.”



What sort of advice can you give to your fellow or aspiring musicians?

“Go into this if this is what you love to do because everything must follow after that. Don't be afraid to go for your dreams. Don't let anyone stop you if their's no good reason. 'Di ba, even when the going gets tough, you know you want this then you should find enough inspiration and motivation to continue.”

“...music must be the image of the performer.”

As young as you are and your career, what is success for you?

“Their's still a long way to go, umpisa pa lang. Success could be if you could be able to sell a lot, tons of albums [grinning]. Triple platinum lahat. You know, your songs, your albums will be known nationwide. Then after that success you'll go international.”



How about failure?

“It is not selling [laughs]. Because that's the greatest fiber that you'll be able to spread your music, you want people to love your music. If you'll not be able to do that, then you haven't accomplished what you want.”



Away from being a musician, who would you be?

“I'll be into a multi-national company, in a marketing department working as an assistant brand manager.”



What particular image your song would like to portray?

[Grinning and a whisper of] “World class.”







KNICK KNACKS WITH MIGUEL



If you could invent a new instrument, what would it sound like?

[Grin] “Perhaps the instrument that fixes your vocal pitch automatically, para talagang flawless ang pagkanta mo.”



Do you ever downloaded MP3 from the Internet?

“Secret...[laughs]”



What do you think the world would be like without music?

“Dead, since music is life.”



If you were a song, what song would you be and why?

“If I were a song I would be...”Falling Away,” I mean “Live It,” because that song about living your dreams.”



How would you like your music to evolve?

“I'd like to become more versatile in as a guitar player in terms of chords and chord progressions. To the next album I also want to do faster songs.”

“...even when the going gets tough, you know you want this, then you should find enough inspiration and motivation to continue.”

If you had only 24 hours to live, what would you do?

“I would make sure to thank all people who made a difference in my life. And when I'm done doing that, I'd do the rest of my time praying.”



If the whole world were listening, what would you say?

“Change [laughs, thinking a lot]...if you have the means, change the world for the better, don't make things worst.”



If you could ask God any one question, what would it be?

“What do I have to do to become successful? Or what do I have to do to be the best musician that I can be.”



What complement you would like to hear?

“I have the potential to become the next big thing...”

♫♫♫

THE 1ST OPM SONGHITS MUSIC AWARDS

The long wait is over! It is done. The 1st OPM Songhits Music Awards has done a leap of faith with its maiden voyage on the OPM shores with apt and willing individuals paddling it to reach it's noble destination, to acknowledge and honor music heroes and heroins of our country the way we wanted them to be.

The 1st OPM Songhits Music Awards is a collaboration of six distinctive song magazines published monthly by Interview Magazines, Inc. under the publishing cradle of the BUY and SELL group of publications. They are respectively, TOP 40, PINOY, BANDA, MOST WANTED HITS, MOST REQUESTED SONGS and CLASSICS.

These song magazines took the same ship to bring home the bacon for our beloved artists and musicians of whom we are indebted for their graciousness and undying support to keep us alive and kicking. Through them we took our humble pride and dedicated worth coupled with uncompromising commitment through musical alliance with our local talents, with a share of foreign as well. The awards night gave our artists and musicians foretastes of high esteem and morale that worth more than just the hefty pages of our song magazines. Our press factor dangles far beyond what the facts and faces we inscribe in our song magazines, we walk an extra mile instead. One way of saying, there is more in the pages than usually meet the eyes.

Everybody is indulged in the nostalgia in this award-giving event. It's a one hot night at the Robinsons Galleria last December 5 of 2007 as the theater, respectively, Cinema 5 was filled with brilliant musical geniuses to redeem their token of praise as well as to give us a nice blow of music and entertainment.

The night's event was piloted by two known gentlemen of the Philippine music industry, the Asia's pop idol Christian Bautista and the vocal frontman of the band Kjwan Mark Abaya.

As the night keeps rolling, Cueshe commenced by hitting us with their most coveted songs in medley with the smashing hit singles “Walang Yamang(mas hihigit sa'yo).” Their celebrated song jives with their winning night as “Best Movie Soundtrack.”

Rivermaya pushes the night hotter with the medley songs packed in their new album “Bagong Liwanag.” The light's even newer and brighter when they bring home their token of recognition as the “Brand Awardee for Pinoy Song Magazine.”

Besides being a grand star dreamer and a big night winner, Yeng Constantino flattered this event with her ever wanted hit singles “Hawak Kamay.” She indeed held her hands high as she holds her trophies with elation as “Best New Artist,” “Breakthrough Artist” and as “Brand Awardee for Top 40 Song Magazine.”

The R&B princess (not mentioning the presence of the R&B prince of the Philippines, JR) of the Philippines Kyla is majestic with her song rendered to us “Love Will Lead You Back,” while Pupil with the Rock Icon Ely Buendia intensifies the fever with the hit singles “Sala” in their sophomore album “Wildlife.”

The most awaited duet of all times, Christian Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go never failed the audiences teasing anticipation as they sang “Pag-ibig nga kaya” holding each other’s hands like true lovers suppose to be doing.

Mark Bautista must have broke the audiences’ night till he sings soulfully his hit singles “Break It To Me Gently” and give us a level-up for that night. While Ronnie Liang just got a vivid smile that night with his song “Ngiti” which keeps us smiling the night despite the pressure and exhausting event.

Silent Sanctuary gets even with their rendition of “Ikaw Lamang” danced by their classical instruments such as the violin and the cello. It's a big hit night for the silent sanctuary as they form part of the applause. 6Cyclemind on the other hand redefined the night with their “Magsasaya,” a first single on their album “Fiesta.” Its fiesta even more holding their trophy as “Brand Awardee for Most Wanted Hits.” Itchyworms rocks the night and made it more romantic with their song “Love Team.” Same is true with Sugarfree who sweetens this prestigious event with their new single “Nangangawit.”

Callalily upholds the climax of the evening as they were one of the most wanted bands by youngsters below, not mentioning the confetti showers though! It's their medley of their singles “Magbalik,” “Stars” “Sanctuary” and “Pasan” that allows the night to be concluded to a lofty end.

Other performances that have completed the night's repertoire were Chicosci, Craeons, Hale, Join The Club, Miguel Escueta and others. However, one of the most coveted bands must have missed the night as well as their fans. Sponge Cola just got a musical appointment for Dubai, nonetheless they won't turn their back without something for us. A video shot was given leeway to the big screen of the Cinema, quoting Yael and his colleagues thanking and vowing for the awards as “Brand Awardee for Pinoy Song Magazine” and their vocal Yael Yuzon as “Best Male Vocalist.”

♫♫♫

THE FILIPINO-HISPANO INVASION OF JOSH SANTANA

“Eres Tu, Eres Mio, Estar Contigo, Historia De Un Amor” Is it a Spanish re-invasion? Not really, just a bit of it from this young blood's album and vocal faculty hurling what they call “Filipino-Hispano” type of rendition. Seldom you'll encounter this kind of musical exoticism, though hundreds of years of retrospect we've been under the cradle Spanish culture – count music in. After all, it wasn't so hard to take, since most of our local as well as Tagalog language are whipped with Spanish parlance.

He grew up in a family with considerable Spanish influence. Josh Santana's familial influence on the language cuddled him closer to it. Since a kid, he has been humming his tune. Since high school, he made his small step to penning his own musical notes. Now that his done with his academic forge, finished Bachelor of Arts Major in English Language, he's stepping his best foot forward for a musical and show biz career on the other hand. Josh appeared in a successful teleserye, “Bituin” as love interest of Carol Banawa. But then left to pursue his academic career first.

Josh Santana has just laid on the silver platter his new album under the carrier single, “Eres Tu” means “It's You.” Josh can't hold it but pursue a ten-track album with Hispanic or Spanish orientation or influence. He's getting true to his music in any way. Hear him say, “This is the first time I’m choosing my music without pretension...” And so his heart and music speak out loud!


ALBUM SPEAKS

Let's talk about the production process for the album, how long is the recording process of Eres Tu?
We actually started sometime the end of November 2008. We finished the album mid February but we encountered some very usual problems. Not problems but things to be changed like we had a problem about one song because of the permission that we were asking that did not really arrived. I had to compose a song. Iyon 'yung pinaka mabilis na solusyon sabi nila Kuya Paolo (his album producer). They encouraged me to write a song that gave birth to “Estar Contigo” (To Be With You). After that, we worked on the photo shoot mid February and we worked on the lay-out. Naging smooth naman. Picking of songs sobrang naging smooth din e kasi we always come up with something. 'Pag may naisip ako sinasabi ko kay Paolo kapag nag-agree kami okay na agad. Meron din criteria pero ramdam namin na lahat nangyayari smoothly kasi bigla na lang dadaan sa isip mo 'yung isang kanta out of the blue. Unang-una namin na-record actually 'yung “Dreaming of You”. I couldn't miss that song kasi it's one of my favorites and it was sang by Selena, a Mexican star.

Why “Eres Tu” as the carrier single?
Ang nakakatuwa n'un “Eres Tu” was not part of the plan. Nu'ng una nag-iisip kami ng packaging but the thing is medyo hesitant kami kasi baka hindi maintindihan baka maraming mga ganoong mga reklamo but eventually nu'ng nakita naming maganda ang kinalabasan ng mga kanta mas naging matapang kami sa pag-record ng Spanish. We actually decided to add more songs 'yun 'yung naging “Eres Tu”. Sabi namin 'sige maglabas tayo', tapangan natin kasi this is what you're being positioned to be. So might as well kung susugal ka isugal mo na ng 100 %. So sabi n'ya (pertaining to Dennis, his manager) since you sing in Spanish and you have a good pronunciation also ituloy na natin.

Your 1st single is 'Eres Tu' in English its 'It's You' so are you pointing to one particular person for that song?
Sa ngayon wala. I dedicate the song to my fans.

What is the main reason why there are two versions of Eres Tu, pop and ballad versions?
Unang nirecord namin honestly 'yung ballad ngayon nu'ng naisip namin na kailangang mag-release ng first song na Spanish at iyon 'yung 'Eres Tu” naisip namin na baka 'yung kabataan medyo parang hands off kami diyan na parang baka maging alien sa kanila. Dennis: So 'yun nag-record kami ng pop version kasi sabi namin na kapag dinala ito sa radyo e baka barilin. So nu'ng binigay namin sa radyo nagpa-option kami ayaw nila ng ballad kaya may pop-version din. So 'yun wala naman kaming naging problema. It's really a test market more on talagang positioning ito. Upon the suggestion also of PolyEast Records, to balance it also, kasi baka akala ng mga tao 'yung Spanish version lang kaya ipinasok 'yung “Kahit Minsan Lang”. So 'yung ibang radio stations hindi pine-play 'yung “Eres Tu” pero sa lahat naman pine-play 'yung “Kahit Minsan Lang”. I went to Baguio to give the samplers as Josh is their featured artist for Mother's Day. I was surprised kasi on our way to Baguio narinig kong tinutugtog 'yung “Eres Tu” sa Star FM Baguio.

How many compositions do you have in the album?
Isa lang 'yung “Estar Contigo” lang.

Where did you get your inspiration for that song? How was it writing your own composition for the first time?
It felt great kasi I have been writing songs since I was in high school kaya lang hindi nagma-materialize. Nu'ng nasa Star Records ako meron din akong mga kinompose na songs kaso meron akong takot na baka hindi ma-publish kasi 'yung mga ka-trabaho ko mga arrangers talaga so they might tell me na kulang pa pero this time pinilit ako ni Paolo. I have to finish the song dahil kailangan sa album at makakatulong sa akin at least maipapakita ko sa tao na kaya kong sumulat ng kanta so I tried to finish this song. It’s all because of that. 'Yung pagiging in love alam naman natin lahat iyon pero basically I wanted to finish the song because I want it to be published in my album.

What kinds of songs do you compose since high school?
Ballads talaga kasi sobrang may pagka-balladeer ako. Most of the time sa bahay kahit nagkakantahan lang kaming magkakapatid kahit 'yung fast songs nababagalan ko. Slow lang talaga akong kumanta sobra.

Is there a particular OPM song that you would want to translate in Spanish? Why?
I like Regine's song “Parangap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka” kasi favorite ko 'yung song.

While doing the album, do you have a particular artists/bands that you listen to that have influenced you in this album?
Yeah, meron pero puro Spanish talaga. I listen to a lot of bands meron diyan 'yung Mana and Reik. These are bands from Mexico. Tapos 'yung mga solo singers puro Spanish din to internalize talaga kasi mahirap actually when we first recorded 'yung “Estória de Amor” lalabas 'yung pagka-Spanish. Although I know how to speak Spanish, singing Spanish is kinda different. Nakukuha naman 'yung pronunciation nakukuha naman kaya lang ang problema kasi 'pag Spanish song intro pa lang malakas na ang boses. Sa mga Filipino kasi ang style sa intro natin soft muna tapos palakas ng palakas sa huli sisigaw na 'yan. Ito iba e kasi may strong influence sa kanila ng Moorse kapag kumanta sila may tunog na pagka-Arabo. Intro pa lang sumisigaw na sila, malakas na malakas na silang kumanta. If you notice during the launch 'yung first line ko ng “Estória de Amor” medyo pasigaw. So nu'ng nagre-record ako medyo parang gulat so nahihirapan akong maka-adjust sa gan'un. So I listen to a lot of Spanish singers. Sila Luis Miguel, David des Val, Julio and Enrique Iglesias, Luis Ponce, they are popular Spanish singers. Sobrang dami kong pinapakinggan. Actually it pays off kapag nakinig ka sa mga Spanish singers konti na lang ang ia-adjust mo kasi very Filipino sila when it comes to emotions. Very sentimental sila. Malakas nga lang silang kumanta. Very very powerful.

Given the chance to collaborate with solo artists that we have right now, who would it be?
Siguro bagay na magkaroon kami ng duet ni Sitti kasi although Bossa Nova siya and in English, 'yung tunog ng music niya madaling magji-jive sa Latin music.

Since this is your second album,what have you learned from your 1st album that you applied now on this new record?
Medyo mas mabilis 'yung adjustments siguro 'yung one week na nagre-recording kami nakapag-adjust na agad. Unlike before n'ung first album ko halos mag-iisang buwan na hindi pa ako nakakapag-adjust kasi nangangapa ako e s'yempre bagong artist. Sa recording nangangapa. Hindi mo alam kung papaano tutulungan 'yung arranger mo at sound technician mo at kung papaano pagagandahin 'yung music mo. Unlike now, ang daming mga suggestions na nanggagaling from all the people around me – from Paulo, from Dennis and from myself so nakakapag-contribute na ako. Maraming marami akong natutunan kung ano sa tingin ko 'yung makakapagpaganda sa kanta. It is more on pagiging expressive.

What are the preparations you do for 'Eres Tu' album?
Medyo balik pag-vocalize ako kasi s'yempre nag-aral ng three years, you don't sing that much so ngayon kailangang laging naka-kondisyon. Review Spanish kasi mahirap wala akong kausap. I have friends sa internet. I voice chat with them in Spanish to improve my Spanish. I took one course in Cervantes. I was accelarated agad from the time na nag-enroll ako na-accelerate ako from level 8 to level 14.

Do you still have any languages that you would want to learn?
Marami akong gustong matutunan. I'm very interested in different languages. Actually when I was just starting three years ago, when I had a vacation and shows in Japan for two months natuto akong mag-Japanese.



JOSH SPEAKS FURTHER

You graduated of Bachelor of Arts Major in English, what made you decide to come back in the entertainment scene?
Actually, I was asking the same question to myself during the time I was studying. Now I understand. I think it was a calling na bumalik ako sa schooling kasi nag-change kami ng direction. Now, I know the artist that I want to be. I think I found what I really wanted to do.

Who are you now versus three years ago when you're just starting out?
Now I feel na I'm more mature as a singer kasi nu'ng una 'yung quality ng boses batang-bata medyo matinis pa, ngayon medyo mas malalim kumanta and mas seryoso sa mga message ng songs. Actually ang nagasabi nito sa akin si Kuya Paolo. Napansin n'ya I'm mature enough to do this Fil-Hispano album.

Share us your ultimate goal or objective as a singer?
To be honest nu'ng first album ko, I worked on a lot of revivals. Ang fraustration ko before it was difficult for me to come back nu'ng time na we were conceptualizing kasi I never had an original song on the record ewan ko kung bakit 'yung una was “Meteor Garden”, “Basta't Kasama Kita”, sa teleserye and then 'yung “Sa Puso Ko”, an Ogie Alcasid song. Then 'yung first single ko from my first album was “Hindi Ko Kaya” original by Richard Reynoso tapos Ariel Rivera revival na “Mahal Naman Kita”. So that was my fraustration I never had a mark. This time I promised myself na makapaglabas ako ng original. It’s a fulfillment for an artist to at least have one na talagang tatatak. Gusto kong marating 'yung status na magkaroon ako ng original song.

Can you describe to us a goal you badly want to achieve in year or two?
I want to establish my own life. I want to be known as a singer talaga. Other things could come like acting. I want to create my own mark in the music industry.

Outside music, what sort of things are you enjoying lately?
I was preoccupied with the preparations for this album.

What's your typical Sunday like?
I go out with friends. We watch movies. Mahilig kaming mag-travel. I'm really a homebody person pero madaldal akong tao. I enjoy conversations.

What are the best experiences you've had so far?
Itong comeback kasi itong comeback na ito I never thought na it would happen again. Dumating ako sa point na when I was studying if I look back ‘yung kasikatan before 'yung peak ng career ko would not happen again. Sabi nga nila 'yung opportunities kumakatok isang beses lang pero ngayon luckily kumatok siya ulit. 'Yung faith ko sa Diyos, I was told to study again and I followed. I don't know what's going to happen but I kept on walking. I trusted God that something good is going to happen. Nu'ng nakita kong nagma-materialize ulit 'yung album, it was the most unbelievable thing in my life.

♫♫♫

KAMI nAPO MUNA ULIT News and Views

Just got this nifty forest green-washed album direct and over-the-counter of the Universal Records' executive office as I was commissioned by my editor to secure some copies for references and promotions. It's a hard-won moment procuring this album, having sat for considerable time beside the cold and polished corner of the office and wishing for a cozy couch to lay my snoozing eyes. Nonetheless, it's consoling enough owning one. It's like purchasing an album with a bill of a hundred percent discount, though it's mine for free!

What's the central concern anyway. KAMI nAPO MUNA ULIT, if we have been vigilant, is the phenomenal sequel of the previous album KAMI nAPO MUNA which stars the hottest contemporary rock acts such as Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Orange and Lemons, The Dawn, Sandwich, Itchyworms, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almalbis, Sugarfree, Sponge Cola, Imago, Moonstar88 and many more.

The second album KAMI nAPO MUNA ULIT runs in the same token but with new culled rock artists, new line of song entries and a figurative new look packaging, save that they are both grateful tributary albums to the ever musical triumvirates of the Philippine music industry, the APO Hiking Society. This new digitally packaged album was a brainchild carried on in cooperation with Universal Records, MYX, ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Interactive. And was a brave thought redeemed by the promising rock bands of these days, respectively Kamikazee back-to-back with Parokya Ni Edgar, Mcoy of Orange and Lemons featuring The Spaceflower Show, Itchyworms, Sponge Cola, Silent Sanctuary, True Faith, Hilera, The Bloomfields, Radioactive Sago Project featuring Raimund Marasigan, Up Dharma Down, Imago, Paramita, Concrete Sam, Dicta License, Chillitees, Shamrock, Scrambled Eggs and APO All-Star. The songs that were revivified were American Junk, Salawikain, Princesa, Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada, Tuyo Na'ng Damdamin, Wala Nang Hahanapin Pa, Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba, Love Is For Singing, Syotang Pa-Class, Kaibigan, Show Me A Smile, Isang Dangkal, Heto Na, Tuloy Ang Ikot Ng Mundo, Hanggang May Pag-ibig, Just A Smile Away, Suntok Sa Buwan and Lumang Tugtugin.

The songs that were mentioned were priceless jewels of the airwaves since APO's existence circa 1974 revisited and excavated to life by our present rock sensations. This precious record is now available at record bars and outlets for you to prove how the jingle of the treasured past was given new color the way our present rock acts did. It's perhaps an all natural phenomenon that songs of the past are songs hanging in the mid-air of the past because of the fast influx of new sensational elements in our society, more in particular music and entertainment. The faster the change, the faster we want it things to be – and music is getting even with it. So, from the simply mellow-classical APO archetype musical pieces come a grand tribute album KAMI nAPO MUNA ULIT that hailed their novelty at the contemporary mainstream of music.

To mention a few, Parokya Ni Edgar doubled by Kamikazee took American Junk more defined with crispier tempo and metallic guitar hard-drive. Salawikain maintained it's exciting beats with exceptional instrumentation and a share of semi-reggae blows by Mcoy of Orange and Lemons featuring The Spaceflower Show.

Itchyworms are doing their own thing on Princesa with great chorus and natural rockers blend. Saan Na Nga Ba'ng Barkada was at the level-up with Sponge Cola's simple but spicy vocal merges. Hilera's performance cannot even be compromised with barely three members aboard the band. Sure they won't make it unmanageable to pick gals to love, though they said it in Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba.

Radioactive Sago Project featuring Raimund Marasigan champions in their narrative of Syotang Pa-Class with a speck of humor. Silent Sanctuary seems to rehydrate ones soul in Tuyo Ng Damdamin with their fusion of classical instruments such as cello and violin. True Faith is just getting truthful in Wala Nang Hahanapin Pang Iba with a simple sounding waltz-beat rendition and chorus.

Love Is For Singing really with these Beatles and Beach Boys driven musical gents plus a configured musical instruments to that of the 60's, say Rickenbacker guitar used by Jayjay which is same guitar brand used by Beatles themselves. Up Dharma Down is friendlier with their own style of Kaibigan, having a vocal with a sense of Bossa Nova effect.

Blame it to the inventiveness of these individuals and the people behind them that this explosive finale came into being. Other details are more definitive as you check it out and pamper yourselves a copy of the record. As to APO Hiking Society who has given these young-blooded individuals a chance to enliven their music as well as to these young men their career, this is where “lightning strikes twice in the same place,” as what APO said in their album dedication.

♫♫♫

SIXCYCLEMIND: CELEBRATES FIESTA!

New Album! New Sound! New Direction!

Another league of musically hot gentlemen are triumphantly marching along the OPM highways carrying their musical sheaves. A synergy of six musically tamed individuals standing tall and vibrant amidst revolutions of concurrent rock groups.



The what they call, 'good music' serves as their torch of knowledge and charisma as they rock the platform giving their fans a foretaste of a no casual musical blow of a Sixcyclemind thing at the hight of their senses. Not much, their audibility extends further to the realm of commercialism. Thus, a bulky package of music and commercial success gave these young bloods healthy definition of their contemporary career success story.



The group began spreading their wings at the dawn of June 2001 through the instrumentality of Darwin Hernandez, a former producer and manager of Moonstar88. A total crossover of young men with the same point of departure – musical adeptness. Sixcyclemind's coinage can be credited to their convention of six individuals (including their manager, Darwin) coming up for common terms – freedom of expression – music!



Sixcyclemind is mobilized by individuals crisscrossing paths. The band is under compass of Darwin Hernandez, also part and parcel of the name “Sixcyclemind.”



Rhoneil "Ney" Dimaculangan spearheads the vocalization of the group. Also a dazzling front man of the then Angel In Disguise band, where Herbert of Moonstar88 was once a solid member.

Well, the group's just getting better with another witty punk called Carlos "Chuck" Isidro on lead guitar. He is also a brilliant producer of one of the Moonstar88's album. And who would dare miss the famed band of the 90's, the “Afterimage” where he also played full time.



This must have been the prettiest classroom experience of Ryan "Rye" Sarmiento, when being a classmate of Ney, was recommended to the group as rhythm guitar and vocals. Rye gives in return by co-producing songs for their fold.

“Well, good music is true music. True music is coming from your soul. An expression of your body and mind. Saka, hindi s'ya pretentious, hindi ka nagpapangap. Kung ano ka, 'yun ka talaga. Kunyari ito gusto ko, 'di ako magpapaka Beethoven, hindi naman ako 'yun eh.”

Another childhood to fraternal story took Bobby “Bob” Cañamo to the band of brothers as bass guitarist. Courtesy of Darwin Hernandez, Bob's childhood friend, it's not a tough road coming-in.

Completing the picture is Tito Fortunato “Tutti” Caringal under the commendation of Herbert Hernandez. Tutti, brings the musical crisp to the group through his brisk drumbeats and rolls.



Sixcyclemind's single “Sige” leads that claim to fame of the group. Besides being a chart topper and a Barkadahan theme, it's commercial indulgence gives them a real high musical gain. Not done yet, their sigles like “Sandalan,” “Alapaap,” “I,” “Pa Ba,” “Trip,” “Umaasa,” “Prinsesa,” “Upside Down,” “Dinamayan” and “Magsasaya” are same jewels that beacons them to an exceptional experience of musical nirvana.

“Hindi naman natin masasabi 'yung future eh. Pero ang magagawa lang namin sa present, kung anong mayroon kami ngayon, pinapangalagaan na lang namin 'yun. Pero yung future 'di natin masasabi.”

It's perhaps high time for these daring gentlemen to take-up things so-near-yet-so-far – Sixcyclemind in dept and up close. But before anything else gets rolling, we are once again in debt of these celebrated yet cool breed of men. They're isn’t somewhere else one hot night of October, but right where we exclusively took them for a series of exclusive photo shot and interview sessions. On the record, the boys try the very best their mental faculty could afford to find the logic between music and our world.



Off they go...



What do you think you are doing at this very moment if you were not a band?

(Laughs) Siguro naghahanap ng magagawa. Nagtatrabaho siguro. Studyante. (Laughs) nagbubuksing. Kung 'di banda, siguro nanonood ng banda.



How do you rate your LIVE performances as of the present?

Say (1-10) Kung kami mag-rerate, ten na kaagad (laughs). Siguro ang matatanong natin dyan ang mga manunuod; mga fans, supporters, sila lang ang makapagsabi nyan. Kami 'di naman namin alam, kasi 'di naman namin napapanood sarili namin eh. Pero ginagawa namin ang lahat para mapasaya yung show.



As part and parcel of the society, how do you think your music contributes in the betterment or development of our society?

Syempre yung mga messages na kino-convey namin sa mga kanta namin laging possitive. Kunyari, 'di namin sinasabi na mag-pakalasing ka, magpakaadik ka. Syempre malaki ang responsibility mo as an artist kasi nakikinig lalo na yung mga kabataan. So, ini-idolo ka ng mga 'yan. Kung anong sinasabi mo, gagayahin nila eh. So, I guess yon yung contribution namin. Walang galit, positive sides lahat. At kung may activity man kagaya ng Drug Awareness Campaign, mga ganyan tumutugtog kami.



Do you believe that music has the power to shape ones character for better or worse?

Sa tingin ko nasa tao lang yun. Lahat naman puweding mag-iba, at puweding lahat 'din di pueding mag-iba. Music naman kasi is neutral, depende kung paano mo sya gagamitin at depende rin sa tao.



What is the best thing music has done in your life?

Siguro, yung appreciation namin sa talent namin. Kasi nabibigay ng Diyos hindi naman lahat sa lahat ng tao. Parang, maraming tao na gusto sa posisyon namin, pero 'di nila kaya, pero kami nagagawa namin ang gusto namin. Saka nalilibot namin yung boong Pilipinas. Oo, sa mga fiesta-fiesta. Dami naming nakikilala. Saka maraming nata-touch na buhay(suggestive grins on each faces).



What are those particular uniqueness that you have from the other bands?

Unang-una mong mapapansin do'n yung kanta talaga ng banda; kung ano'ng mga pinapahiwatig no'ng banda sa kanta nila. Kasi, kunwari, kami iba naman yung kanta namin sa ganitong kanta ng banda. May unique sound yung Sixcyclemind eh, hirap i-explain eh. So, yung mga nakikinig lang ang makakasagot nyan.



Do you think music connote spiritual entity in human beings, since animals don't know how to make music?

Yung tao kasi gifted lang tayo, na yung range ng intelligence is mas mataas kaysa doon sa mga hayop. Pero, tayo hayop pa rin naman tayo eh. Pero 'di natin alam, gaya na lang ng mga ants na 'yan, kita mo, alam nila yung direksyon nila. So di natin alam, kumbaga blessed din sila, na parang may soul din sila. So, siguro, 'di ibig sabihin na pag 'di marunong kumanta, eh walang soul.



Would you agree with me if I say that music is solely just a form of entertainment? How can you widen its horizon?

Expression din naman sya ng mga ideas and experiences ng bawat musikero. So doon nagkaka-panoramic view tungkol sa music. Kasi kung entertainment lang, eh di para lang kaming mga ungoy na may dalang mga plato, yun ang entertainment. Pero kung talagang ilalabas mo sa utak mo, sa puso mo yung nararamdaman mo sa pamamagitan ng pag kanta, so yun. Depende rin kung paano mo titingnan eh. Peuding sa pamamagitan ng pag-perform o 'di kaya'y sining ng pag susulat.



What are those things you want to prove more?

Actually wala naman kaming dapat patunayan. Nandito lang kami para mag share ng music namin. Para makaabot sa tao yung musika namin. So wala namang kailangang patunayan. At saka parang 'di proper sa banda na parang mayroon kayong dapat patunayan. Kasi, kumbaga pagnapatunayan nyo na 'yon, wala na, tapos na kayo. Kumbaga wala na kayong papatunayan. So kumbaga, yung hilig n'yo lang sa pag gawa ng music at pag share nito, yun tuloy-tuloy 'yon walang hangganan.



Why do you think you're famous?

Nagkataon lang na naapreciate ng mga tao yung mga kanta namin, kaya ganun. Pero, hindi naman kasi pag sinabi mong sikat, eh parang may pagka-entertainment na naman yung dating, o may pagka showbiz yung dating, eh musikero lang naman kami. Dahil lang siguro sa kanta kaya maraming nagkagusto sa ginagawa naming materials.



How do you understand good music?

Well, good music is true music. True music is coming from your soul. An expression of your body ang mind. Saka, hindi sya pretentious, hindi ka nagpapangap. Kung ano ka, yun ka talaga. Kunyari ito gusto ko, 'di ako magpapaka Beethoven, hindi naman ako yun eh.



What do you think of death metal?

Meron silang identity na sa kanila lang eh. So, dahil doon nagiging unique din yung ganong klase ng tugtugan. But OK sila. They are good music, 'di sila panget. Parang, sino ba naman ako para sabihing kung bad music yan.



Who do you think in need of more music, you (artists) or the listeners?

(A long, and introspective silence) Siguro kami. Kasi sa case namin kami ang gumagawa ng music. Syempre buhay namin yan eh. Kailangan naming makinig, at the same time kailangan naming gumawa. Pero, lahat naman siguro, may karapatang mangangailangan ng music.



If I were to attend your concert, how would guys convince me to do so?

Kailangang mapanood mo yung show. Then afterwards, ikaw na maghusga kung OK ba, bitin ba o sobra ba. Basta sasa bihin ko lang, kung hindi ka pumunta, ikaw rin (laughs).



And if I were to buy your album, how would you convince me to buy it?

Siguro, kayo ang huhusga. Kasi puweding OK sa amin, pero 'di sa'yo. Well, siguro, sasabihin namin mga experiences namin sa paggawa ng album; kung paano namin ginawa, kung ano yung mga idea namin no'ng ginagawa namin yung album. Sasabihin namin, buy one take one (laughs).



Your opinion about music piracy?

Panget syempre. Sayang yung pinaghirapan ng artist, 'di ba? Saka yung mga taong involve doon sa pag gawa ng album na yun, tapus mababaliwala lang. For example, ikaw nakawan kita, 'di syempre magagalit ka, di ba? Saka, 'di lang naman yung mga artists yung apektado doon. Pati na yung mga record labels na nagpundo para magawa yung album na yun, naglikom ng funds, gumawa ng promotions para sa album. Pag nangyari yun, wala nang magsa sign-up ng banda.



If meet by “crazy” fans what do you usually do?

Hanggang kaya naming i-tolerate, maximum tolerance syempre. Hanggang kaya namin, sige lang.



Your opinions about bands coming to the end of their career?

Siguro, kung nagdisband man sila personal na nilang choice yun. Saka 'di naman sila maghihiwahiwalay kung walang tamang dahilan, 'di ba. So sarili na nilang decision yun.



Do you believe same thing will happen to you? What are you going to do?

Hindi naman natin masasabi yung future eh. Pero ang magagawa lang namin sa present, kung anong mayroon kami ngayon, pinapangalagaan na lang namin yon. Pero yung future 'di natin masasabi. Baka bukas wala na kami. (And looking at me) baka ikaw bukas ikaw na si Martin Nievera, di ba (laughs).



How would you explain that to your fans and supporters?

Kung talagang naniniwala sila sa amin, maiintindihan nila kung ba't nagkaganon. Tapos, sabihin namin kung ano yung nangyari, tapus depende na sa kanila kung maiintindihan nila o hindi, at least sinabi namin.



If you were to sing one last song, what particular song would you be singing?

(Chorusing) 'This is the End' (laughter). 'Biglaan.' 'Di siguro, buong album na lang.

♫♫♫

PAROKYA NI EDGAR'S WORLD BEHIND GAGS

Just as the day's atmospheric ambiance's getting gloomy and foreboding, the Parokya's impending presence's scourging us hot and zesty at our publishing studio. It's even hotter when these guys getting even with their hectic schedule, so we have to make the most out of the graced moments. It is even far thinkable that they've ungrudgingly meted out their precious time for this event; otherwise they must have enjoyed a good respite for the next guesting. As might be a one-off event, we have to get “fast and furious” with the series of activities that we have; from the pictorial all the way to the interview, autograph signing and snapshots. Truly, this gives us the willies! But the hottest is when I'm into a grilling interview with this rock legend; expressing and exposing their classic antics and witty gags.

And it goes...


From Nothingness To Existence...


The towering pillars of Ateneo De Manila witnessed the academic and intellectual blithe of its constituents since the year that was. It never did exhausted its resources 'till 1993, when these carefree warm blooded men-of-strings showed off. They started as typical high school chums scampering the vastness of Ateneo Campus, when out of their unguarded moments, a musical collegiality was invested among them, brewing to be a legend in Pinoy comical pop-punk alternative music or 'chop suey' music as they call it. The group benefited much from their out of school hang-out jamming, wherein they further sharpened their musical acumen. Their musical inventiveness is shadowed on their parodies or ripping-off of well-known songs.

At the first dawn of the group they were originally composed of five men: Chito Miranda as the lead vocal, Vinci Montaner, Gabriel Chee-Kee and the formers Miko and Jerick. At first, calling themselves Comic Relief, as by namesake they do comical goofs and antics by musical means. The honed musical skills deserved them to be graced with an opening number during one of the Eraserheads concerts. With graceful enthusiasm for the big hit, they decided to add more members. Come Dindin Moreno for drums and Buhawi Meneses for the bass. This performance advocated their formal and present name Parokyan Ni Edgar.

Just after high school, two of their band mates, Jerick and Miko, declined from the group to pursue another interest. Too determined to be discouraged, Darius Semaña was welcomed by the group to fill the void. Since then, Chito Miranda, Vinci Montaner, Gabriel Chee-Kee, Dindin Moreno, Buhawi Meneses and Darius Semaña are the leading musical gentlemen of Parokya Ni Edgar.


Parokya Ni Edgar...Who?

Childhood impression has thought me that Parokya Ni Edgar was Edgar's circle of musical young men and that he serves as a front man. Later knowing that Edgar isn't even a name of any of the group members.

It was said taken from a classroom joke including their subject Noli Me Tangere. “...kagaya no'n naisulat lang ang Parokya Ni Edgar do'n, pero di naman talaga kilala si Edgar,” buffs Chito Miranda. Hearing it further from them, I can sense a classical classroom pranks typical of a Filipino high school boys. He further explains, “...noong time kasi nanabuo yung pangalan, parang natutuwa kami sa pangalang Edgar, gaya ng pangalang Lailani, Beverly [laughs]...yon yung mga trip naming pangalan, gaya ng Giovanni, Arnold...yong Edgar nakakatuwa lang talaga s'ya ng time na yon.” It came out now from an over-all assessment, that from the funny concoction of names, Edgar stands out among them. So it goes to say that! “Nakakatuwa na s'ya (the name Edgar) ng time na yun eh, di na namin sya mababago eh, kailangan na naming dumikit don,” confirms Chito.

The group's fame seems unstoppable that time, prompting them to come-up with a band badge – which is now the famed Parokya Ni Edgar.


More than a Decade of Parokya Ni Edgar and still counting...

Ten years or fourteen years to be exact is overwhelming for a band that still moving fast and steady along musical highways with uncompromisable performances upstage. How far did they go is evident upon multifarious awards they've cached in. All was kindled by a once in a big blue moon opportunity. “Nong tumugtog kami for Eraserheads, i-ninvite kami ng (school) na maging front act. Tapos nakita kami ng may-ari ng Club Dredd and ginawa kaming regular sa Club Dredd. Kaya yun talaga yong naging major break namin,” explains Chito.

Though they were just, to consider, new kids on the block of the then explosive parties of alternative rock acts such as Eraserheads, Color it Red, Tropical Depression, Nirvana, Soundgarden and the like, the group too soon took the pleasure of gratifying the crowds the way they do. They use to maintain catchy musical style whipped with local colors and without much ado on lines and delivery, making it a layman's jingle.

A recording contract commence their entrance to the formal flow of the music industry. The late Bella Tan, managing director of Universal Records, was instrumental in putting them on major recording levels. Up even to the extent of winning the band's loyalty. How was she for them? Chito with a sense of gratitude, answered, “Siya yung nagtiwala na mag-invest sa amin for the first album. Kaya hangang ngayon, after (ten albums) doon parin kami kasi kahit wala na si mam Bella, our loyalty stands with her.”

Since then, Parokya, with an amicable rapport with a recording company, an exceptional musical style, and considerable numbers of faithful “parishioners,” do the magic of more than a decade of prolific existence.


Laurels...

One article expressed, “...and to think that they became so without even trying.” Or it might be the other way around, whatever it took them elsewhere in the momentum of their career, one thing is worth noting for, they're no more than just new kids on the block or a bunch of comical skin deep, but celebrated champions with respective laurels on their foreheads.

The awards and recognitions they've stored in is never just silly ordinary comical gags now, though they might mean it upstage. The debut album Khangkhungkherenitz is a big splash victorious with Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum and Triple Platinum Record Awards with more than 120,000 units sold by February 8, 1997. Nominated by AWIT Awards as Album Of The Year, Best Performance By A Group, Best Performance By A New Group, Best Rock Performance and Music Video Of The Year. What more? A series of NU Rock Awards, such as Best New Artist, Best Live Act. A couple of nominations for Buloy as Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Best Album Packaging. DWLS winner for New OPM Artist Of The Year.

Just getting better with their consecutive album, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy prestigious with Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum and Triple Platinum Record Awards with sales more than 120,000 units. Not much, they've brought home generous amounts of MTV Awards such Southeast Asia Viewer's Choice Award for Harana, Video Of The Year and Favorite Group Video. AWIT Awards consistent with Best Novelty Recording for Don't Touch My Berdie, Best TV Theme Song for Okat Tokat, Nominees for Music Video Of The Year for Harana and Best Instrumental Performance for Buhawi Meneses for Aqua Song.

The album Gulong, Itlog, Gulong gets even with the same overwhelming awards and recognitions. Winners of Gold, Platinum, Double Platinum and Triple Platinum Record Awards as of July 9, 2000. Victors for series of MTV Philippine Music Video Awards for Best Group Video for Inuman Na and Picha Pie. Nominee for Best Song for Inuman Na and Video Of The Year for Inuman Na and Picha Pie. NU Rock Awards for Band/Artist Of The Year (1999 and 2000), Best Bassist for Buhawi Meneses. Nominated Song Of The Year, Best Basist, Best Drummer and Best Vocalist. Winner as Most Popular Group of the 2000 Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Foundation. RX93 winner as OPM Artist Of The Year and Song Of The Year for Halaga. Charted number 1 for 8 consecutive weeks at the NU107 Midnight Countdown for the song Halaga. Number 1 on MTV Philippines Diyes Countdown.

The album, Edgar, Edgar Musikahan comes with Gold Record Award with 20,000 units sold by April of 2002. MTV Philippines Video Music Awards for Best Song for Swimming Beach, Music Achievement Award and MTV Asia Awards for Favorite Artist – Philippines.

The album Bigotilyo earns as Favorite Artist – Philippines of the 2004 MTV Asia Awards. Such so with the album Jingle Balls (Silent Night, Holy Cow!) which comes with Gold Record Awards with 20,000 units sold by December 20, 1998. Nominee for Best Christmas Recording for Namamasko Po by AWIT Awards 1999.

With these flattering accumulation of awards and recognitions, the group's never done yet. Miles more to go and much more to expect, as they themselves are deadly expectant for more “manna” from heaven to fall. (for more updates and info visit www.parokyaband.com)


Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas

Hearing of “Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas” directly connotes “Pambansang Kamao Ng Pilipinas” which comes with the same token but in slightly different means. Manny Pacquiao may punch-out with him Filipino's pride and idealism to a win. Parokya Ni Edgar strums and sings with the lay people's down to earth experiences.

Common sentiments tells us that the Parokya's witty gags and funny spoofs orchestrates with the Filipino's naturally happy nature despite tribulations. Like when Chito Miranda talks of the song Madapaka, “isang .awiting inspirational:..tungkol sa pagtanggap ng problema bilang biyaya mula sa Diyos. Hindi ka titingala kapag wala ka sa baba...kailangan din kung minsan madapa...” As Filipinos are always hopeful for blessings amidst a seemingly hopeless social conditions.

Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas is a title given them consequent to their album Halina Sa Parokya. The album features just the songs Filipino youths ever faves, namely, First Day Funk, Mang Jose, Papa Cologne, Order Taker, Bagsakan and so on. Besides the album was advocated by the Department of Tourism as part and parcel of their campaign for further vivification of various tourist destinations and festivities. And still, the album's visual aspect shows both popular foreign children TV show Sesame Street and with its local equivalent Batibot. Thus, inferring Parokya Ni Edgar as Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas.


Bits from the Pieces

Besides being known as men of silly pranks and antics, the Parokya showcases satirical songs and covers of famous songs. It keeps us dangling on the mid-air guessing for what do they mean for their album labels Khangkhungkherenitz, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy or who's that hired superhero in the song Mang Jose. And we took the pleasure to be clarified a bit. Holding firm the Recorder, I posited from them the ever exotic debut album label Khangkhungkherenitz. Chito clarifies, “it's a Korean Chocolate!” How about this, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, he once again clarified, “isang lang syang club sa Iloilo.” Well, I guess that's clear-cut!

“...six different individuals kami eh, and you can't expect each and every one to be just like you, so dapat i-restpect mo talaga yong individuality saka differences ng bawat isa. Mahalin mo kong ano man yon and be open minded.” - Chito

Silvertoes is I guess strange paralleled to the actual song lines. Well, Chito explains, “...yung silvertoes yun yung different level after, di ba may gold my bronze, kapag ibang level na, yun na yung 'toes'...pag medyo dilikado na ang nagawa mo, nakapatay ka na, yan na yung goldtoes [laughs]...pag platinumtoes na, si God na bahala sa 'yo [laughs].” Well said guys, the catchphrase is 'ibang level na to' could be intuitively implied to the song silvertoes, where a showy and a not so beautiful las is depicted and overly ridiculed.

The next revelation might even be nobler than you just have known. I next asked them of the mystery behind Mang Jose. “Si Mang Jose janitor dati sa school namin, pero tingin talaga namin sa kanya superhero in a literary sense na talagang para syang isang bayani,” said Chito. Mang Jose is a school utility and acquaintance like no others that even pushed them to hone a song for him. Chito continued, “...no'ng mga grade one kami nakikita namin s'ya, nasasabi namin, bayani 'to, ito ang tunay na Pilipinong bayani.” It seems that of all superheroes Mang Jose goes off a bit different when then he ask for a pay-off later? “...pero lagi kaming hinihingian ng pera, kaya superhero na naniningil,” goes Chito.

“We're not doing music, we're listening to music.” - Chito

With all the fruits and pieces or albums they've made, I happened to ask them which one is their favorate. Chito, the groups spokesman answered, “syempre lahat gusto namin...pero yung unang album, kasi yun ang una eh. Kumbaga iba yung feeling ng pagtiningnan mo, dito ka nagsimula, ito yung unang dahilan kung ba't kayo napansin at kinatuwaan ng mga tao.”

May I know who's Papa Cologne is?
“Si Papa Cologne, ang alamat nyan ay law inforcer sya, lagi nyang sinasabi papa cologne kita...”[laughs]


IN YOUR OWN OPINION

What is music for you?
“Work...enjoyment. Ganon kasaya ng buhay namin, work namin ang music, kumbaga our world revolves around music. We're not doing music we're listening to music.”

How does music works in your life?
“Ang galing nga eh, kasi hanap-buhay namin ang music eh, instead of doing anything else...work, music is work. Ito yong kailangan naming gawin, and we enjoy doing it. It's a manna from heaven, the gift from God, the blessing of the Almighty...”[giggles].

How do you see bands of these days?
“...ayos naman, kasi pinapalaganap nila ang musikang Pilipino at tinatangkilik nila at tinutulungan nilang tangkilikin ng mga kabataang Pilipino ang mga musika na gawa ng mga kapwa nila mga Pilipino. So, kinatutuwa namin na lumabas sila sa eksina ngayon.”

Any foreign bands you associate yourselves with?
“Ummmh, Taxi...Rollingstones. Sa tingin ko (Chito) Red Hot Chili Peppers, kasi para silang magkakaibigan lang din mula high school eh. Parang kami, nagsimula lang magkakabarkada. Tapus maraming di hamak na mas magagaling sa kanila, pero yung kasiyahan nila sa stage yon ang mahirap pantayan.”

What is the hardest part in doing music?
“...mga ganito, pictorial, interview kasi wala naman to'ng diretsong may kinalaman sa paggawa ng music, it's for promo, it's for business. So ito na yong pinaka hassle, like TV apperances...yun, ito na yung pinaka hassle. Pero, di kami nagrereklamo, kasi ang dali-daling magpapicturial eh, ang dali-daling magpa-interview.”(we're just luck though!)

How do you rate you LIVE performances as of the present? Say (1-10)
“...siguro mga 78 [laughs]. Two, sa tingin ko (Chito) two, sablay-sablay talaga eh! Pero may mga nine din naman tayo pare, minsan may nine, minsan may two...” [laughs].


UP AND CLOSER

What's the first thing we should know about Parokya Ni Edgar?
“Ummh, norm...that we are normal people [laugh]. Di kami superstar, di kami celebrity...pero pag nakilala nyo kami para lang kaming mga lumang kapit bahay nyo...mga tipong bastos [laughs]...mga ganong tipong bagsak. Mga magugulo pero di nang gugulo.”


What's the noblest element you've learned so far from more than a decade of existence?
“Yung pinakanatutunan ko (Chito), yung pakikisama at pagkakaibigan at pagtanggap sa bawat isa at pag-respect sa differences ng bawat isa. Kasi six different individuals kami eh, and you can't expect each and every one to be just like you, so dapat i-restpect mo talaga yong individuality saka differences ng bawat isa. Mahalin mo kong ano man yun and be open minded.”

What do you think is the greatest legacy you could impart to your fellow artists?
“Ahh, inspirasyon siguro. Gusto namin ma-inspire yung mga kabataan na kahit walang musical talent, kahit wala kayong musical skills basta na-eenjoy nyo yung ginagawa nyo, puede n'yo itagoyod yung banda n'yo at saka yung music n'yo. Sana magsimula sila ng banda nila, makita nila na lahat ng banda may pinag simulan and walang start na mas humble sa Pagstart ng Parokya.”

Given the chance to last for more years, what are those foreseen career goals of the band, or would you just keep the beat?
“More music, mas marami pang magaganda't, matitino at nakakatawang kanta, yun lang. Saka pera...peace on earth [laughs]...makapagpasaya pa rin, makapagpatawa pa rin ng mga tao para masaya pa rin sila.”

What is the underlying secret of that lasting relationship among you, considering the long time that you've been together and your still a solid group?
“Aaah, respeto...at aah, plastikan [laugh] pagkain...pera [laugh]. [More serious now] Kumbaga sa pagkakasundo namin, kahit anong gawin namin, kahit magkagalit-galit kami, alam na namin na ganon lang talaga, tapus natanggap na namin na mahal na namin ang isat-isa [laughs]. Pagkakaibigan lang talaga eh, there's nowhere else to go, except ganito mag sama-sama.

Chito is said to be the man behind the groups success and unity, how did you do this after all?
(Chito, humbly defensive) “Wala, I'm not the man behind. Lahat kami tulong-tulong, hindi ko 'to maitataguyod mag-isa, kumbaga kailangan talaga each effort and each individual is equally important. Kaya hindi nila pweding ibigay sa akin yung credit na ako yung man behind that.”

You've been obviously flooded with lots of success, what is success for you?
“Uummh, success...i-sasuck mo s'ya [laughs]. Success siguro is yong achievement namin na by doing nothing, na di masyado namin siniseryoso yung trabaho namin, at umabot kami ng ganito katagal. Kahit na mas maraming mas magagaling sa amin, kinatutuwa namin na we still take time to listen to our music, para sa akin (Chito) yon na yong success. Ang respect to your fellow musicians.

How about failure?
“Individual, personal failures lang yan eh. Kung may nagawa kaming sablay it's not failure, it's just another chance to learn. Pag individuals ganon din, sometimes we feel ourselves of being hot tempered or of being guilty of any other sin, but failure is failure when you quit. But if you fail and then you get up, yon ang success. It's just considered as another obstacle.

Your fans say your “crazy,” on the other way around, have you got “crazy” fans too?
“Wala, wala eh...walang crazy fans, meron lang overly enthusiastic.”

More personal, guys what are you virtues?...as well as vices?
“Ah, wala clean living lang. Ah, basta kumbaga balance lang yan eh! It's always a Yin and Yang, kumbaga alagaan mo yong sarili mo and try everything once also. As long as nasa gitna ka, wag ka naman tudo malinis, wag ka naman tudo bisyo. Know your limits. Learn to pull-back kong sumusubra at the same time learn to give yourself some slack pag ano, masyado ng masikip yong tali mo sa sarili mo.”

If you were to perform the very last time, what would be your “swansong?”
“Beautiful Girl [laugh]...di pagpapatayin na ako (Chito) kakanta na ako ng dasal na kanta, Adios patria adorada...[giggle]. Siguro Butchiki para masay yong pagkamatay ko...”[laugh]. We are the world siguro...[and everybody goes singing We Are The World].

And the finally at your end guys?
“Salamat sa lahat ng mga tumatangkilik sa musikang Pinoy. Sa mga magazines na tumutulong sa paglaganap ng OPM music at nagpapasalamat kami sa inyo at sa mga fans na tumatangkilik sa magasing ito (Pinoy Song Magazine) at sa mga bandang Pilipino. Asahan nyo na ta-try namin ang best namin at magsilbing insperasyon sa mga magsisimulang magbanda at susubukan din namin ang patuloy na paggawa ng makukulit at the same time makabuluhang mga kanta.”

♫♫♫