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!
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.“...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
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.”
♫♫♫
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