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For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
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Chaotic times equal great music
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ODDLY enough, history has showed that the best music comes from the worst of times.
Consider the Blues – the father of Rock, Soul and R&B.
The blues was actually born out of the pains of slavery. It was the music of the life of slaves usually sang under shades of trees after a heavy day of toiling the seemingly endless fields of 19th century American South.
Technically, these were wailings of obscure slaves put into melody and sang with an almost primordial sense of emotional release. An early form of a musical journal, which in today’s lingo, qualifies as a podcast or a sound blog. According to W.E.B. DuBois, the blues is: “The music of an unhappy people, of the children of disappointment; they tell of death and suffering and unvoiced longing toward a truer world, of misty wanderings and hidden ways.”
The same is true with Jazz – America’s only original art form.
Jazz developed from the French-Creole-black neighborhoods in the city of New Orleans, during a time of social chaos. According to historians, an odious racial segregation law was passed in Louisiana in 1894, which forced the refined Creoles to live on the other side of Canal Street. Though this was a cultural catastrophe for the Creoles, they soon gained musical leadership of the American section. It was the musical sparks that flew on the clashing of these very different cultures in the ensuing decade that ignited the flames of Jazz.
These happenings are discussed in the numerous recordings of Jelly Roll Morton made in 1938 at the Library of Congress in which he is interviewed by folk music expert Alan Lomax. They are the best documents we have of the process that transformed the many non-Jazz musical elements into Jazz.
The same is true with Philippine music. The best of OPM sprang out from the darkest periods in our history. From 1972 to 1982 – the martial law years, Pinoy Folk & Rock blossomed like Morning Glories rising amidst the dark of night. In a time of complete suppression and disregard for basic human rights, artists made sure that if the people’s pleas could not be aired through the normal means, music will make it reverberate up to the very hallways of Malacañang; it sure did.
Juan Dela Cruz, Asin, Maria Cafra, Freddie Aguilar, Coritha, and Heber Bartolome are only some of the artists that single-handedly gave flesh to a new genre of Filipino music that changed the course of Philippine history.
With a mixture of raw, organic sound and protest-tinged lyrics that mostly lean toward the cynical, Pinoy rock ushered in not only a new breed of sound, but also a new blood of Pinoy youngsters who adhere to the ideals of Pepe Smith and the gang. Proclamation 1081 became the real father of Pinoy Rock.
The changes brought about by the EDSA revolution of 1986 provided the perfect backdrop for the next phase of Pinoy musical growth: New Wave & Pinoy Punk. The term ‘New Wave’ itself mirrors the shift of balance that has occurred in Philippine society. Groups like the Dawn, Identitiy Crisis, The Jerks, and Ethnic Faces, who were already underground legends when People Power broke out, provided the new soundtrack for the newborn society.
Last week, president Arroyo issued proclamation 1017 to quell a brewing coup plot against her government. As usual, the streets were thick with the warm bodies of people who are begging for Arroyo to seriously consider stepping down.
Soon after, there were riots between the militant rallyists and the police; there were warrantless arrests, closure of newspapers, and military stand-offs – all too similar to the political situation that made Marcos declare martial law.
No doubt, the dark days are back. But could this be a sign of the birth new kind of great music? It is very possible. Lately, bands have been all over network TV. ABS-CBN feature bands in almost all their shows from their morning shows, variety shows, to their game shows, even soaps and sitcoms.. Only the news programs don’t have rock bands to open their shows. Solo artists are surprisingly co-existing with rock groups and nobody is being put back, which signifies the maturity of the Filipino ear.
Music is perhaps the most emotional of all art forms. It thrives on situations involving heavy feelings. And nothing invokes people’s passions more than the suppression of their basic rights.
Hence, we might get bad governance and ugly street riots because of these recent events, but we are assured that we will get amazing music after all.
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Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
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I HAVE actually struggled with what to write this week. There are just so many things that have happened lately that it’s hard for me to get focused.
Whenever I would start typing, I would come to a point where my mind just seems to go blank---yeah, it’s the dreaded writer’s block. It’s definitely not the best thing in the world especially when there are so many thoughts that have been raging in my mind.
Then I have realized that I only have to look within the confines of myself and I practically have a whole new topic to talk about.
As an afterthought, I have observed that many of us also go through this phase, similar to a “writer’s block mode”. There are certainly a multitude of things that we want to tell others but once faced with that task or situation, we just don’t say it! Perhaps, because we don’t want to let others know what our thoughts and feelings are for fear that others would discover our secret vulnerabilities.
We also fear rejection and embarrassment. With all of these thoughts in mind, we’d rather keep things to ourselves.
My good friend Vky suddenly passed away last week. She was a vibrant and beautiful 35-year-old mother of two little girls. I was tremendously shocked by her death.
The last time I talked to her was New Year’s Eve. It was just a quick call for we were both in a hurry. I was not able to call her again after that. When I came back to US last week, I have been meaning to call her to thank her for my birthday present. I never got the chance for she died two days after I came back.
What was left with me was the voicemail I got from her telling me that she was praying that my broken heart would soon be mended. There were regrets for not telling her soon enough how much our friendship meant to me but all I can do now is pray for the repose of her soul and for the family she left behind.
With the hectic schedules we all have, it is truly hard to sit down and make proper conversation. The conversations we seem to have nowadays are hurried and harassed. We sometimes talk back with meaningless grunts and we often answer each other’s queries with mumbled monosyllables.In addition, we all seem to be wearing masks to hide our feelings.
I have thought of the people who lost their lives in the twin tragedies that beset the Philippines recently, the Ultra stampede and the Leyte mudslide, and most of them women and children. In an instant, their lives were snuffed out. Which led me to wonder if they ever said things that they wanted to say to their loved ones?
Did they hear the things they wanted to hear from the people around them? Were the only spoken words they heard in their lifetime were words of hurt, misery and rejection? Or if they ever heard words of acknowledgement,compliments and love?
We all know that life is unpredictable. We can never really tell what tomorrow brings us.
These are reasons enough to let the significant people in our lives know how much we cherish and treasure them. No matter how busy our lives get, it only takes a minute of our time to say those precious words.
My sister’s friend Ate Amor once said how she wished that she spent more time with her mother and told her how much she was grateful for her. I told her that her mom already knew it, she answered me back, saying, that it is still best to let them know through words.
My father is fighting the Big C as of this writing. If you know me on a personal basis, you would know how much I adore him. That is why it is difficult for me to talk to him or even talk about him without breaking down. My coming home to the Philippines recently was such an emotional journey.
Sometimes, it is easier to just let my mother tell him the things I wanted to say. But I have come to realize that this is actually the best time to talk to him.
He should be hearing these words now. For someone like me that is a known chatterbox, these are the rare times I am speechless. For now, I just let my heart dictate what I should say.
I want my father to know that I will never stop thanking God for him. I believe my siblings Cora, Vicky and Rodel feel the same way too. I am knee-deep with my prayers that God will grant him more years. He is part of all that I have become. Wherever my wings will take me, my Tatay and Nanay will always be my nest---my home.
We seldom say I love you or let our family and friends know how much they mean to us and when we do, it is already late, either the chance has passed or the person we love is gone forever.
So when you are given the opportunity to tell someone you love them, say it and mean it from the bottom of your heart. Don’t hold back... It is now or never.
Thess Bacsal is a writer and lives in California. For your life and love problems, email her at filexpress@aol.com.
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Ted Reyes is a musician, composer, record producer and journalist based in NYC. If you have any comments you can visit his website at www.tedreyes.com or email him at tedreyes@mac.com
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MANILA --- Kristine Hermosa reveals she no longer lives with her family. She has transferred to her own unit in a plush condominium in Quezon City. She doesn’t disclose if Diether Ocampo lives with her. She admits though that their romance is fine.
She also says that her family might finally decide to leave for Canada where they plan to migrate. She had plans before to join them but she has changed her mind.
She relates, “Kung natuloy kaming umalis noon, balak ko sanang tapusin ang aking pag-aaral sa Canada. But I realized now that I need not go to Canada to study. Puwede kong gawin ‘yan dito. What I need is time lang.”
She is currently starring in the teleserye, “Gulong ng Palad,” which is doing very well in the ratings. She was surprised with reports that she has been replaced by Bea Alonzo as Jericho Rosales’ leading lady in the movie, “Pacquiao,” a movie based on the life and love of international boxing champ, Manny Pacquiao. She clears that she was never offered the role. (MNS)
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MANILA --- Her first album with GMA Records, ‘Forever Jolina,’ hit gold so she’s now back with her next album, ‘Tuloy Pa Rin ang Awit.’ Why did she choose that title? ‘That means I might be 27 now but, after so many years in showbiz, tuloy pa rin ang singing career ko, which is my first love,’ she says.
The music scene is currently dominated by rock bands. What is the chance of her album capturing public attention? “I’m optimistic na may market pa rin for the songs that I do. For this album, I got new collaborators and producers. For the first time, I also chose all the songs myself, including one that’s special for me, ‘Gusto.’”
The song is special because her boyfriend, Atty. Bebong Munoz who’s based in the US, personally asked a friend at the Ateneo to write the song for her.
“Bagay sa long-distance relationship namin ang song and he asked me to include it in my album.” We’ve heard the song and it’s really good. A lot of people whose loved ones are OFW’s toiling abroad will be able to relate to its meaningful lyrics.
Is it true they will face the altar soon? “Ay, hindi pa. We’re taking our time since we’re still both busy with our respective careers. May bago pa kong show, ‘Bongga Ka Star,’ 5 p.m. Sunday on QTV-11. He also has a new career as a consultant in Minnesota.”
We ask Jolina’s mom if their family approves of Bebong? “Oh yes,” she says. “He’s a very decent and responsible man so we have no objections. Pero wala pa sila talaga balak pakasal.”
The album’s carrier single is “Maybe It’s You” and it has an inventive music video directed by Avid Liongoren, with Jolina’s terrier dog, Cosmo, a gift from Bebong, making a special appearance in it. As the MTV ends, Jolina kisses it and it turns into her leading man. It’s now heard as the theme song of the hit Asianovela, “My Name Is Kim Sam Soon,” a hilarious romantic comedy.
Other good cuts in the album are “Better Off This Way,” “Akin,” “Kapag Ako’y Nagmahal,” “You Belong to My Heart,” “Napamahal Ka Na” and “Let Me Be the One.” (MNS)
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MANILA --- Rica Peralejo says she’s happy for both Bernard Palanca and Meryll Soriano, who confessed on national TV that they are in love.
Rica was the girlfriend of Bernard for four years. They separated more than a year ago. It was a mutual break up, according to Rica.
She admits that there was an effort on Bernard’s part to win her back. She tried to weigh her options but in the end, she decided that they are better off as friends.
She also opens that Meryll called her to tell her that she was falling for Bernard. “But actually, there was no need for her to do that. Although I appreciate her gesture,” explains Rica.
Some people close to Rica says that she herself has a new boyfriend now. Our sources, though, can’t tell whether it’s Rico Blanco of Rivermaya or the band’s drummer. (MNS)
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MANILA --- DAWN Zulueta has lost 20 lbs. since she gave birth to her son, Jacobo Antonio, called Jacob or Jake, and she’s now back before the camera reprising her role as Ynang Reyna in the new ‘Encantadia, Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas’ that replaces ‘Etheria’.
So how is it to be a mom? “Masarap na mahirap,” she says. “I breastfed for almost two months and that time, every three hours, I have to wake up to feed him. But I love it, kahit kulang ako sa tulog. He was born prematurely. December pa dapat ang delivery ko but he came out on October 19. Seven and a half months lang siya, so he had to stay at the neonatal clinic for three weeks before we brought him home. Now, mataba na, 13 lbs. na. We just brought him home to Davao at first time ko siyang naiwan doon.”
She continues, “I’m staying here in Manila for five days. Aside from taping ‘Encantadia’ kasi, I also attended the wedding of Aiko Melendez. We’re close kasi we’ve played sisters twice na, in Regal’s ‘Buhay Mo Buhay Ko’ and Viva’s ‘Filipinas.’ I can’t sleep nga here kasi nasanay na kong katabi ko lagi ang baby ko.”
So she and husband Anton intend to have their son grow up in Davao? “Oh yes. Talagang tagaroon naman ang family nila. But he’d be coming to Manila once a month to visit his pediatrician. Ngayon pa lang, we’re already looking for a good school for him. May Ateneo de Davao but I was told they’re more than 40 in a class. I want a school na mas maaasikaso ‘yung bata.”
So what happens to her in the new “Encantadia?” “I come back from Devas to warn the Diwatas and I meet my apo, Cassandra, played by Ella Guevarra. Other than that, wala na akong alam as they are very secretive about the new twists in the plot. They just tell me what I’m supposed to do kapag nasa sa set na ako.”
Director Mark Reyes says the new “Encantadia” will open with the characters who forayed into the past in “Etheria” back into the present. “Everyone is rejoicing with the birth of the new child of Ybrahim (Dingdong Dantes) and Alena (Karylle), the king and queen of Kingdom Sapiro. The three sisters Pirena (Sunshine Dizon), Amihan (Iza Calzado) and Danaya (Diana Zubiri) join the celebration.” He adds, “That’s where Dawn will return to warn them about the dangers lurking in the future. We’ll make the new ‘Encantadia’ bigger than the first one because there’s a proposal to turn it into a movie for international release. Also, there’s negotiation with Warner Bros. to release past episodes on DVD as there’s a demand from its loyal followers who want to see it again.”
Direk Mark took us around the new sets built for the show and the most impressive is the 64-feet long colorful ship built to be used by a new character, Azulan, played by Jay-R, who plays a pirate, the leader of the Punjabwe tribe who has unique powers. With him are the Jaboom Twins playing Luntian and Violeta, plus a new puppet character, Dilawan, and a jolly fat pirate, Rosas, played by stage actress Marnie Lapuz. Don’t miss these new characters whose names are based on the colors of the rainbow in “Encantadia, Pag-ibig Hanggang Wakas,” weeknights after “Extra Challenge” on GMA Telebabad. (MNS)
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