bisdak_zoundz

Birth Control: "New breed of CIT-based rockers"

2006-09-25T01:18:00.000-07:00

Text by Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

CEBU CITY - It came appropriate to have adopted a name relative to reproductive health when Birth Control unexpectedly had for a debut gig an activity relative to the upholding of reproductive health awareness that was spearheaded by members of the student press behind the production of “Technologians”, the official student publication of the Cebu Institute of Technology.

The concert in line with the call to know more about reproductive health at the Ayala Center Cebu with Bisrock band Jimicycle came as a fitting gig for a band sporting on a name that not only offered awareness on health in reproduction, but also both a solution and an option to people with clashing opinions on how to deal with population explosion.

According to Birth Control guitarist Dindo Miranda who is into business management studies major in banking and finance management, it was the first “invitational performance of Birth Control which in a way matched the significance of raising an issue as sensitive as reproductive health and reproductive health rights.”

“Actually, ang 'Birth' is lifted from the first album of Urbandub which is one of a few bands I admire,” says Frederick “Derick” Macaraya, drummer who is also into BSBA with a major in General Business Management.

“Nya ang 'Control' is from a song by California rock band Puddle of Mudd who came up with a debut album in 2001 entitled “Come Clean”. Because they are excellent artists, this had an eventual follow-up through “Life on Display” Enhanced CD. Though I do drums, I admire the collaborative heavy guitar work of Paul Philips and singer Wesley Scantlin, so mao na siya nga Birth Control. Gi-fuse nako,” Derick added.

“Wala gyud ta na’y relationship with issues raised by the commission on population or whatsoever entity lifting up concerns on the impact to society of a ballooning population. It so happened lang nga gi-invite mi to play for an activity nga mora’g natuyo nga birth control maoy solusyon sa isyu,” Derick and the rest of the band members shared with a laugh.

So when asked on how should Birth Control be viewed as another aspiring band on a wagon of Bisrockers, Derick answered they would like to be known as a "new breed of CIT-based rockers" instead of propagators of birth control, as they would want to emphasize not a literal birth like that of human beings, but of music. "Kana bang birth of notes, birth of sounds, mao na siya among gusto nga ma-take notice sa mga listeners. We want our songs to be heard by those who have learned to worship sounds played in the Sugbuano tongue," this is the collective stand of the group.

“Dili sad mi mokanta og Binisaya permi kay we also have written songs in English, but we do hope that support would also flow for original Cebuano compositions rendered in English kay Bisaya ra man sad gihapon ang nikanta. Bale kamao man sad mi mosuwat ug English songs nya nakasugod na pud mi ani, so amo lang i-sustain,” says Eduardo “Audie” Bontia, the band’s bassist, and an Information Technology student at the CIT.

Audie showed me a copy of their Extended Play album which was produced to test if they have an appeal in a music market among fellow students of CIT. The album is dubbed "Fallen Faster" which is the first track of the EP.

Ryan Bernales on vocals, an Electronics and Communications Engineering student, and new member Lydell “Itchoy” Lusañez on guitars complete Birth Control who already demonstrated how good they are as performers when they bagged second place among 12 competing bands in the CIT band competition during the Intramurals celebration of 2004.

This was surpassed when they were adjudged champion in the Battle of the Band event in Punta Princesa dubbed “Next to Shine” with five competing bands including fellow rock-ing Smashers Stonestomp and Republika.

After Birth Control was formed in November of 2003, Fallen Faster saw birth in 2004 with two other English songs "I won’t Let You Go" and "Stay" which are both love songs penned by Audie. The EP mixed by Hans of Backyard Project Studio and engineered by Poldo of Zzubu Music Studio sells for P60 and already comes with a video of Fallen Faster recorded during one of their performances and also of “Nailad”, a song on being duped.

“Sa imong kaanyag/nagdali ko’g dagan/aron makit-an ka/naglakaw sa dalan/pwerteng gwapaha/mora’g artista/nagsuot og saya/pwerteng mubo-a/halos makita na/sa akong kadanghag/ako nailad sa imong kaanyag/knockout akong pitaka/adtong hitabo-a, haskang malasa/wa nako damha/nga magkita pa gyud tang duha/nagkuyog pata nag CR/didto sa Ayala/bayot diay ka…” Nailad made its way over the air lanes at 93.1 Smash FM and became the very reason why Birth Control was noticed on the airwaves.

The pack completed their EP using for inspiration the sounds of Hatebreed (hardcore), Pantera (heavy metal), Deftones (grind core), Chevell (new metal) and Cebu-based bands Urbandub, Faspitch, Missing Filemon, Aggressive Audio, Pointblank and Makadawa who also have similar influences in music styles – grunge, metal and alternative.

Later on, they will serve as front act for other CIT-based bands for the Colors Day celebration at the CIT Quadrangle. On the 25th, Birth Control is main band to play for the Commerce Day event at the CIT gymnasium and on the 26th at the Handuraw Events Café for the Bisrockers Nite affair.

Orders, inquiries and bookings email birthcontrol_rockband@yahoo.com.ph. Visit www.myspace.com/birthcontrol_rocks. Friendster account is birthcontrol_rockband@yahoo.com.ph.

Shout-outs: Birth Control would like to extend thanks to Maricel Benigay, Cherry, CIT president Mr. Gregorio Escario, CIT SSG president Mr. Jovelon Oracoy, Deo, Angie, Cathy, Teray, Hans of Backyard Project Studio and Poldo of Zzubu Recording Studio, DJ Ram and Bré Ambungan for the unwavering support.

Skim with Zymurgy

2006-09-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

Text by Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

CEBU CITY - Zymurgy took notice of men and women, guys and gals and even children who are all in love with the offshore wind and who head out to sea to “catch their waves” onboard their skimboards (skiffle to Americans, skidboards to Aussies and Kiwis) starting off with an aerial, catching the air off the wave and landing back on the face of the wave.

Rolan “Buknoy” Ong Vaño (lead guitars, vocals), Earl “Kulot” Quiñones (vocals, rhythm), Diosdado “Tuy-od” Baylomo (bass), and Jonathan Louis “Tanxoi” Pelandas (drums) saw those admiring eyes that swoon at a frothy seashore lapped endlessly by the waves; those skimmers who run to pick up the right wave – the very secret of skimming – to be able to make a successful flip or a headstand, an ollie bringing bodies to turnarounds with the skims and skiffles and skidboards and skags (whatchamacallit) glued to soles like iron fillings attracted to a horseshoe magnet.

Zymurgy just loves the subject of skimming – another extreme sports most boys are gaga over at and, in fact, this fondness is very contagious that pushes this paper to back the endeavor for the 2006 Cebu National Skim Open in Lawis Point, Argao for all skim enthusiasts, with competition to happen on August 24 to 26 organized by the municipality of Argao and the Argao Tourism Commission.

The band wrote “Skimbord” and talked of the hardship and failure, and, of course, the joy and reward of the pursuit.

“Skimboard/mao kini ang skimboard/ang uso nga skimboard/ang nindot nga skimboard/sa dagat nagpasikat siya/gipakita niya tanang kaya/dako nga balud gihulat niya/taud-taud mihunat na siya…”

These boys from Cordova (Buknoy from barangay Gabi and Tuy-od from barangay Day-as), and Lutopan (Tanxoi) pointed to Kulot of Talisay as the one responsible for christening the group Zymurgy derived from zymology which is the science of fermentation. Zymology is occasionally called zymurgy that deals with the biochemical processes involved in fermentation, with yeast selection and physiology, and with the practical issues of brewing.

In coming up with four original compositions, the pack used the influences exemplified by former Rivermaya front man Bamboo, post-grunge group Creed - this despite being slammed by music critics for “formulaic sound derivative of famed Seattle grunge Pearl Jam”, and Korn often credited to have created the nu metal genre.

The other two compositions are “Wa ka Yapi” and “Balay-Balay”. The former goes a little something like “wa ka yapi/wa baka kuyapi/sa imong kalaki/hubog ka permi/wa ka yapi/wa baka kuyapi/sa imong kalaki/sa imong kalaki standby ka permi….” which describes how friends would gather around, talk things over beer or spirits, sing to heart’s content, get drunk, and watch oneself go wasted!

Meanwhile, “Balay-Balay” is a recollection of fond memories shared by playmates simulating a household. Housemates would act as either "nanay" or "tatay" as in the case of Buknoy who wrote the song. “Sa atong balay-balay/didto ko unang nagkagusto nimo/sa atong balay-balay/didto ko unang nahigugma nimo,” so did Buknoy find himself falling in love with the girl he paired off as mom when he was to act out as dad.

“Idaran na/tigulang na/ug ako na ang lolo sa atoang balay-balay/ikaw nasab ang lola sa atoang mga apo,” Buknoy went, dreaming of the simple life in his twilight days under the one roof of the “balay-balay” - the simulated household.

After these three compositions, the four again burned brows to blow life to “Pungko-Pungko” often called McDo(ko-duko), a street dining trend here.

Now back to Skimbord, I’m glad that there is Zymurgy with a heart to tackle not only topics on romantic love, but also of a sport as extreme as skimming. This opens a way of figuring out this relationship between the art of skimming on waves and the art of skimming the waters of life. Skimming teaches us that the best time to begin running for a wave is right after the wave breaks. One who is in love with his skag must learn to abide by this rule.

And to skim through life, we must be prepared for the waves and learn to inhale the offshore winds. To deal with our skags, we must keep our weight centered over the board, keeping it pointed towards the ocean. Talking of balancing priorities, schedules, decisions, quality time with friends and family. Toward the ocean. Not against it. Toward the sun. Not against it.

Then when the skimboard meets the waters, the riders’ weight must be on their back foot so the nose of the board does not catch on the water. If this is applied to how we deal with life, we could be neatly gliding up over the waters of challenges instead of plowing through it.

Zymurgy is steaming with its kind of brew over the waves of local indie music. Skim with them at zymurgy_band@yahoogroups.com.

Kadangyan up with "Islas de los Pintados"

2006-09-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

By Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

An emotional Kadangyan swan song left me welling with tears as they announced of their surge into mainstream Manila music during a performance at the Kahayag Café recently.

Obviously, the capital is the niche for opportunities for music artists to be signed up for a major label and this is the direction Kadangyan, dubbed "godfather of ethno-tribal music" here, is heading.

The pack of Baba Mitra, son of the Gran Cordillera; Iligan City-born Jean Marquesto aka John Govinda, Sugbuano siblings Jerome and Rolly Resuera and Rolo Manayon once again glowed with that spellbinding charm as they played for the last time at the Kahayag open platform their gangsa and gong to connect cultures of the rich North and the feisty South through their Earth/World music.

As expected, the farewell performance was awesome as they chanted the hypnotic mantra of infinite love “Babanam” - “O, Bhavanam kaiwalam.”

Recently, I exchanged text messages with John who expressed of the group’s eagerness to penetrate a wider market under the management of Ms. Ann Angala who used to handle Eraserheads, frontliner of the alternative rock explosion in the country’s music industry.

John is just so eager to “come home” to Cebu because he misses the pace of life here, but could not do it yet because of flooding commitments.

“Nindot na unta i-uli diha kay diri mora ta’g naggukod sa panahon permi, but we are booked for the rest of the month,” John’s text message read. Kadangyan is also working on materials for their second album that John said he would reveal full details of through e-mail when he finds time.

He mentioned of their performances at Penguin Café along Remedios street in Malate last September 9, Concert at the Park last September 10, at the Conspiracy along Visayas avenue in Quezon City yesterday which were all very successful as crowds were definitely a mix of regional cultural groups.

“Mao ni nakanindot sa Kadangyan kay we are a mix of Filipino ethnic subgroups. We represent regional cultures that our mix of audience could relate to,” John pointed out.

Later on tonight, they will be at the UP Theatre and on the 15th will play at the Siete Pecados of the Westin Plaza Hotel.

Also, I’m excited to learn they are busy working on the carrier of their second album. The carrier track “Islas de los Pintados” is what I consider the kind of song music enthusiasts should have an ear for because Pinoy music should have been constantly moving towards this direction.

Islas de los Pintados speaks of the ancient Filipinos who appreciate body tattoo as a form of art, and I’m just so glad this could open heightened awareness on body art. Their world music employing indigenous musical instruments and expounding on strong cultural continuity, shrouded by the seemingly ambiance of trance, could lift to a higher level our interest and appreciation to study who the first Filipinos were and the “baybayin” being their old form of writing system.

“What we are propagating is music on what’s truly our own. Content of songs we can truly be proud of, and we have started from here to create consciousness that would give way to the recognition of cultural roots so that we may be able to know who we really are as a people and move from there to deal with our social issues and concerns,” this according to Ifugao-born Baba.

The song bound to flow mainstream is set to point out there’s so much more to external wealth that’s only superficial. Beyond such is richness in knowledge, morals, culture, friends, and philosophy that a Filipino could possess if he only would take pride in recognizing his cultural roots and come to embrace tribal wisdom. (/30)

Circle of Willis:Blessed union of sorts

2006-09-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

CEBU CITY - Another pack of rockers from the Cebu Institute of Technology took center stage for the very first time at Handuraw Events Café last Tuesday night along with Bisdak bands Absolute Failure, KDB (Koolerah and d Digital Buchitoongs), Fervent and Agipo.

The night before that scheduled debut gig at Handuraw for the Orig All Star Event, CIT-based Circle of Willis handed over to me a CD demo of “Reyna Prinsesa” culled from a plethora of influences like fellow Bisdak bands Phylum and The Ambassadors, and 6cyclemind, Rocksteddy, Urbandub, The Calling, Incubus, Saosin, The Used, Story of the Year, and Yellow Card.

The news for them to play for Orig All Star came at such a time they craved for a third gig - for badly wanting it - and a debut gig at the said artists’ haven taken by most Bisdak bands as a jump-off point to other various avenues of expression. You can just imagine the leap they would want to take when I passed on to them the info, circulated through text message, that after submitting themselves to a screening, all systems did work in favor of Circle of Willis.

Taken from a term that the Wikipedia referred to as the cerebral arterial circle, which actually is a circle of arteries that supply blood to the brain, the band explains they would want to be in all avenues possible to be able to reach out to fellow youths of today and supply them with sound reasons to fight back personal issues and concerns, most especially teen angst, through the messages of hope, inner healing, and awakening exemplified in their songs.

Circle of Willis, named after English physician Thomas Willis (1621-1673), would want to challenge every youth to deal challenges and issues squarely and “get a life through music”, as emphasized by band drummer Reno Richard Ramirez, who moved from passionate rapper of an underground hiphoppin’ crowd in Valencia, Bukidnon to the determined Bisdak rocker that he is today.

Kim Matabalan on vocals, Klint Angelo Perocho on bass, and Reno are all Nursing students who draw inspiration from the functionality of the union of arteries to support life. Meanwhile, songwriter/composer Mark Conte (lead guitarist) and Tam Roque Lucaban (rhythm guitarist) are Civil Engineering and Electronics and Communications Engineering students, respectively. The blessed union of these five also aims to end the senseless row between nursing and engineering students.

“Mao gyud na among tuyo nga ipakita nga sayop ang pagtoong dili pwede magkaduol ang nursing og engineering students kay nahimo naman gud nang storyang gisumsuman ang conflict, then ang nursing di daw pwede isagol sa engineering, and vice versa,” explains Tam.

On November, these lads who all hail from different provinces of Mindanao (Tam of Compostela Valley, Mark and Klint of Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Kim of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte) are to join the College of Nursing-sponsored “Rockquesta” Battle of Bands at the CIT gym, and are expected to launch their Reyna Prinsesa Extended Play album with five other songs – Gipaasa, Wala Na, Forever (‘till I die) and Playgirl – on that occasion.

These are all songs of love in the pop rock genre. Gipaasa is about that desire to let go of a romantic relationship that’s leading both parties nowhere; Wala Na is of the typical desire of a boy to please his girl through vows that oftentimes come to the point of exaggeration; Forever (‘till I die) is the hope to be able to express each other’s special feelings mutually, and Playgirl hits girls just-fooling-around-wanting-to-have-fun.

They have already distributed CDs pegged at P60 to test the viability of the project and to find “pilot” areas where they could best be heard and seen. But the launching is still to happen in November.

Circle of Willis dedicates the project to the giver of talents – God, to friends, loved ones, families, to Phylum, to all Burgahoy Boys, Tropang Rebolusyon, CIT Nursing and Engineering staff, classmates, Tres Mafias, Sir Gumagay, Sir Garcia, to all Bisrockers, to DJ Ram and Bré of Smash FM, Charlton “Tonton” Miparanum of Phylum, and most especially to Vann Aznar of Gangrene, Celso and Boizer and PLEIAD. Also to all clans, Kapabis clan and Adah. Visit friendster account: circleofwillis@yahoo.com.

Reyna Prinsesa
Words and chords by Mark Conte

C G Am F
Asa na man ka karon

C G Am F
Unsay angay nakong buhaton

C G Am F
Di ko kalimtan ang atong mga kagahapon

C G Am F
Ikaw ra gihapon karon ang handumon

Chorus:

C G
O akong gihigugma

Am F
O akong reyna akong prinsesa

C G
Wala’y laing kabaylo

Am F
Tungod kanimo nabag-o kinabuhi ko

C-G-Am-F

II

C G Am F
Nalibog na ko kung unsay buhaton

C G Am FGimingaw na ako kanimo “I miss you so”

C G Am F
Din ko kalimtan ang atong mga kagahapon

C G Am F
Ikaw ra gihapon karon ang handumon

Repeat Chorus
Repeat I
Repeat Chorus

Gipaasa
Words and chords by Mark Conte

I
D A Bm G
Usa ka adlaw ni-text ka nako
D A Bm G
Nangayog sori sa nahitabo
D A
Apan awahi na (apan awahi na)
Bm G D
Kanato ang tanan
A Bm
Nangayog dispensa (nangayog dispensa)
D D-A-Bm-G
Nihangyo nga magbalik ta

II
D A Bm G
Nagplano ka makigkita sa eskina
D A Bm G
Wa ka nitunga imo rang gi-bale wala
D A Bm
Sakit kaayo (sakit kaayo)
G D
Imo kong gipaasa
A Bm
Gipaasa sa wala (gipaasa sa wala)

G D
Unsa’y akong sala

Chorus
A Bm
Ako nagtarong sa atong relasyon
G D
Apan ikaw wa gyud intawon
A
Sige lang ka ug promise
Bm G D
Pero wala gyud natuman bisa’g usa

A-Bm
ha….

G D A-Bm
Maypa magbuwag na ta ha…..
G D
Maypa magbuwag na tang duha

Repeat II
Repeat Chorus
Ad lib
Repeat Chorus

"Tingog Kabataan" deemed to strengthen Republika

2006-09-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

by Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

The stuff that made members of Bisaya rock band Republika stand out from their peers is their love for the national emblem manifested explicitly. Rarely can you find youngbloods today who appreciate the value of the national flag and the Republic for which it stands – state, people, government, sovereignty.

When I warned them they could get into some kind of trouble like me who was noted for sewing onto the cover of my climber’s backpack the national flag with the bold word “Independence” below it which I bought when my mountaineering team had an Independence Day Climb in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, they retorted with an oxymoronic argument that the so-called prohibited act under Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines can, at a case-to-case basis, be tolerated.

The argument gained weight though when we talked of progressive groups who profess love of country by pushing certain reforms as a cause and yet left flaglets scattered on the streets and trampled upon by passersby on an ironic National Flag Day celebration last May 28.

“Nationalism lies in our hearts and it is burning, that’s why we chose Republika because we would want to don a symbol of our nationhood and enjoy the essence of freedom, music-wise,” says an opinionated 19-year-old Junry “Choy” Navasquez, the vocalist, who reports to a night school at the Don Sergio Osmeña, Sr. Memorial National High School.

As songwriter, his “Tingog Kabataan” creation was picked to become official theme song of 93.1 Smash FM’s “YourVoice, YourChoice Tingog Kabataan” program aired Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am-11:30 am, dedicated to enthusiasts of Bisaya rock.

“Sayo sa buntag/sa akong pagmata/wa pay hilam-os/gubot pa ang hitsura/ngita’g gitara kay maghimo ug kanta/bahin’s amigo ko nga napakyas sa gugma/
“Ipabuhagay nato ang atong kalipay/Bisan ug daghan ta ug mga pagsuway/
“Tingog kabataan/manindog kitang tanan/tingog kabataan/manglayat tang tanan/tingog kabataan, manglupad kitang tanan/tingog kabataan, manganta tang tanan/
“Bahala’g kasab-an sa among ginikanan/padayon gihapon sa among kabuang/bati nga storya wala lang namo tagda/bahala’g magmahay, Bisrock among kalipay.”

Other than Choy, Republika is comprised of Roldan “Dongki” Arnaiz, 19, on guitars, and an electrical engineering student at the University of Cebu; 16-year-old Jerson “Jigz” Navasquez on drums and who goes to school along with his big bro Choy at the DSOSMNHS, and 21-year-old Emerson “Men” Barasan, the bassist who is into computer studies at the Microsystems International Institute of Technology in Tabunok, Talisay City. For a neophyte, Republika remembers a milestone in their copping 3rd place in a band competition lined up for the 416th founding anniversary of Punta Princesa last February 2. They romped away greatly honored, feeling as if they had snatched the plum from six other challengers they described as “astig, payter pud!”

After that Republika couldn’t quite get a fill of their hunger to play more, as if the only way to quench a thirst is to be on a platform and blare to original compositions before a rocking, pleased crowd.

“Maka-adik gyud ang pakpak sa mga admirers, Ma’m,” claims Choy who gestured a fist pounded onto his left chest, “maong bisan wala mi kadaug sa kadtong Home Radio nga band contest pud along with nine other bands, okay ra. Pag fiesta pud sa Labangon atol sa "Jam-Jam" with three bands ug kadtong sa Minglanilla maskin kontrobersyal sad to gamay, nindot kaayo ang paminaw tawgon ka’g aydol sa mga Bisrockers. Inig naog mo-high five nimo.”

This, he said, keeps them going amid the fact that idealism in this country doesn’t guarantee one of the good life he so dreams of.

Republika also wrote both idealistic and romantic songs like Babaye, Ikaw Lang Gihapon, Kagubot, 14th Day, Di Mausab, Tentasyon, Problema and Tabanog that each embodies the influences of Japz of Rivermaya, emo punk and Pinoy rock, Typecast, Thursday and the character of the At The Drive-In; Zach of Rage Against the Machine, The Used, and Deftones’ Mr. Chino. To get a feel of Republika, catch them every Friday nights at Bakalshed (in front of Salazar Institute of Technology) at 9pm for their live performances. The place can accommodate 50 people.

True that I was taken aback by that flag on Jigz’ sling bag - the flag that remains to be a symbol of our nationhood, so that utmost respect and care should be given to such. Flying alone in the wind up a pole, it brings back the glory of our struggle, not only against invaders, but our question for a just and free society. I just hope sewing onto our backpacks and sling bags the emblem wouldn’t be taken as mortal sin or against our values. For it is no way a form of disrespect, it is our gesture of realigning our endeavors to make a way for one great salute to the remaking of a Strong Republic.

It should be taken as an act of appreciating the value of history upon which we as a people had won some kind of independence, and not of putting our sense of patriotism and nationalism in question.

Despite the reported poor governance here, Republika hopes that their songs could stand as a communal expression that despite the inefficiency of our leaders, such could not tarnish the spirit for which the national emblem has stood for all these years.

And though the exploit of the national flag has been deliberately used in the wrong manner as what happened during some mass protests staged by militant groups, the state of hopelessness that these mass actions would like to project should not overshadow what was atoned for to redeem our sense of independence.

Tingog kabataan, manindog kitang tanan; tingog kabataan, manganta kitang tanan. Ipabuhagay nato ang atong kalipay, bisan ug daghan ta ug mga pagsuway!

"Lola Gwapa" through the eyes of Cridals

2006-09-19T06:06:00.000-07:00

Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in the south district of Cebu first gave them an appropriate venue to hone and use the gift of musicmaking for the glory of God through the Youth Ministry. That blessed chance later spun off to a more crowded venue, bringing their music to another form, as they transpired into a show band.

In the last two years, Cridals that belong to Batch 2 of the rockin’ Smashers list, has put best foot forward to place over the air lanes their so-called homage to elderly women that remain graceful, cheerful and beautiful, despite the ages accumulated, in the song “Lola Gwapa”.

“Lola Gwapa is inspired by a gathering of elderly women-relatives who were recounting memories of their heydays. Lingaw kaayo sila paminawon, maong nakahuna-huna mi nga isuwat ang ilang jovial mood, the way magstorya sila nga nag-reminisce sa ilang kabatan-un, mora gyud sila’g mga dalaga pa,” says Aldrin “Aldrot” Bacalso, vox, who penned the song in collaboration with drummer Clifford "Epoy" Palad.

February this year, the gathering of the elderly happened on Aldrin's birthday celebration, he said, and while he was with his bandmates, they worked on the song “Lola Gwapa” that captured the jolly spirit of the women as they recalled cherished moments shared that went with the passing of the years but, like the proverbial phoenix, experience some kind of resurrection.

“Lola Gwapa” rendered in pop rock style goes a little something like: “Ni-estambay ko sa eskina/nangita ko og amiga/nga akong kasandigan sa problema/nakita ko ang imong lola/nag-sige lang og pakatawa/feel nya dalaga pa siya../Lola gwapa/panahon pa sa kwarenta/lola gwapa/dili kapugngan kung siya’y morampa.”

Cridals which represents the first and second letters of each members’ names - Rodrigo “Digy” Navarro (bass) and Farrel “Ringo” Tabaloc (guitar) aside from Clifford and Aldrin - also came up with Talikod-genic, an observation made on misbehavin’ males that most times end up as laughing stocks.

“Usa kaadlaw niana/nagkasabot kaming duha/nga manuroy kami sa plaza/kay mangita ug seksing dalaga/gwapa kaayo kung magtalikod/taas iyang buhok/long-legged pa gyud/talikod-genic diay…OA kaayo…/sa among pagduol…nailad kami sa iyang peke nga byuti.”

As soon as the recording was over at Vann’s Recording Studio in Urgello, the group submitted the demo CD for “Lola Gwapa” at 93.1 Smash FM recently. After a week, the effort paid off as the song took its debut on the airwaves. Euphoric, Cridals moved to complete other songs like the abovementioned Talikod-genic, and Leron Sinta which is a compilation of chants children recite in most of their games. Also, Cridals came up with songs in English like “Stars”, an introspective look into the connection of stars and this borrowed existence; and a love song entitled “Take Me” based on the emotions of Clifford, all delivered in various styles exemplified by their favorite bands Simple Plan, Nickelback, Incubus, Creed and novelty music icons YoMax (Yoyoy Villame and Max Surban).

Cridals hopes to launch the album “Stars” by December and would dedicate the product to God above all, their friends, their loved ones, the Youth Ministry, to Jen (Ringo’s crush), Philou, Carmela, the Tabaloc family especially Baby-D; the Navarro family, Bacalso family, Janray “Bungot” Bacalso and to Aldrin’s love Bedat, Richard Binagatan, Dongdong; Jerad Band, neighbors and youth of Pardo, Palad and Mabalas family, DJ Ram and Bré Ambungan of 93.1 Smash FM, and Gangrene most especially Vann Aznar. For more info, email: cridals_theband@yahoo.com.

Plight of the Buchitoongs

2006-09-18T01:47:00.000-07:00

By Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

Whew! Just got off from my one-week hiatus in the Caraga region of Northern Mindanao, and I did miss you guys who have been reading us since we embarked on band features in January. When I left for Nasipit, I missed the spark of the Visayas launch of ABS-CBN's “Pinoy Dream Academy” at the Capitol grounds because I had to make sure my mother and I would be onboard the boat an hour before expected time of departure. And though I could only see from afar the flares of fireworks, I was one with you in pushing the recognition of six of our local talents who took center stage to prove the worth of every Bisdak talent. Salamat kaayo og dako sa inyong suporta, sa tanang pagmahal nga inyong gipakita alang sa mga Bisaya.
Am again on my foot as chronicler of the struggles and victories of our Bisdak bands and I am so glad I’m almost through with the first batch featuring Kabobo, Blood of the Stone, Scrambled Eggs, The Ambassadors, Indephums, Aggressive Audio, Glass of Dirt, Avlish, Phylum, Medias, Mantequilla, Flirt, Makadawa, Raskafarian, Gangrene, All Traffic, Stonestomp, Levi Maboram, Yield, Puppy-Eyed Kirtmen, Republika, Zymurgy, Pasakanin, Ossified, Agipo, Page One, Assembly Language and Birth Control (whattah smorgasbord!). Of course I still have to deal with the possibility of getting my hands on Butuan-based Skiplost because the band deserves recognition too. And that there are the supporters of Ire, New Anthem, Timeslot, Spañul, Castle Freak, and Domestic Grass looking up to the shining moments of these bands.
Newayz, no jitters rockers! You will all have the opportunity to bask under the kleiglights of respect and recognition being part of the list of Smashers recommended by propagator of “Bisaya Sounds Unique” – DJ Ram Dizon – due to host a 15-band concert ala Woodstock at the Vimcumtu-ALU Compound by the end of this month for the anniversary of dyLA-AM, 909 kHz on your dial.
Due to availability for interview, I recently hopped on to batch II featuring Lapu-Lapu City’s “KDB” otherwise known as Koolerah and d’ Digital Buchitoongs comprising Regene “Ejing” Vilvestre, 21, on guitars, of barangay Gun-ob, an Electrical Engineering student at the University of Cebu main campus; 25-year-old bassist Archel Ian Arriesgado, a resident of barangay Sangi who majors in Drafting at CSCST; Ronald Fernandez, vocals, 23, University of Cebu in Lapu-Lapu/Mandaue, taking up Associate in Computer Technology and who is also from Sangi; and Rey “Reguns” Godinez, drums, 23, of PHILSCA and is into Aircraft Maintenance Technology studies.
Their story they revealed is a compilation of so-called jinxes that took them closer to the realization of their aspirations, each time, instead of being shrouded with the veil of disappointment. “Wa’y malas aning grupoha,” has already become the band’s catchphrase to cut off an imaginary chain that seemingly binds them to jinxes/curses.
“Dili na kaayo mi tantong demalas ron kay okay na ang dagan sa among pagpanukar unlike sa among previous gig nga dili mo-support ang taga sound systems kay saba daw ang mga rockista,” recalls the group with an expression that borders between a laugh and a sigh.
Recently, the group performed with Republika and Indephums to the revelry of a crowd of about a hundred for the University of San Carlos-JPIA acquaintance party at the Tambuli Beach Resort, blaring out with the rib-tickling “Estong” brew that was popularized after a vigorous stirring of the concoction of punk, emo, ska, reggae, and grunge influences.
“Hayag ang buwan/ug dili ngitngit ang dalan/ngano bang mahadlok ka man/nga parehas man tang talawan/parehas tang kusog managan/wa ka bay nadunggan/wa ka ba’y nasabtan/bisan og gamay lang/naglabing kahadlok/nanubra ang botbot/pangutan-on di ba isog/puti diayg it**g/sukmati di umangkon/sobra ka bakakon/Estong butboton/talawan di moangkon/Estong butboton/masuko og sungogon/Estong botboton/talawan ra ba gyud intawn.”

Maybe the best ingredient why Estong (Butboton) clicked is that there are just too many airheads and dorks around that we could relate to how we had our Golgothas in dealing with them. The song is just a subtle way of saying, “enuff of your crap, bozos!” and “scrammm, jerks!!!”
Meanwhile, “Small World” assimilates romantic lines into the other side of the coin – the sentimentality of KDB. “Nakahinumdom ka paba/kadtong nagkuyog tang duha/nanglakaw sa eskina/atong giapas si Jessa/akong gisulti ang tanan/nga gibati ko kanimo/apan niingon ka “pasensya na gihigugma ko siya”/ Akong gidawat ang tanan/bisan sakit sa akong dughan/magpaabot nga malooy ka/ning kabos nga nahigugma kanimo…”

“Come on, guys, tell me what in the world do koolerah and buchitoongs stand for?” Can’t help, but I wheedled for an answer. I understand the previous has something to do with an epidemic that involves a disorder of the digestive system, but the latter? And they chorused: “Wala lang. Reflection lang na’s pagka-cool og pagka-sipat sa mga taga KDB. Play-up lang sa mga words. Happy lang gihapon paminawon maskin nagkalisud-lisud og nagkamalas-malas.”
But past is the “jinx-y story” of the group. Lately, they were able to perform at the Handuraw Events Café for the Orig All Star event set to happen every Tuesday. The opportunity is a sought relief from all those days of craving to be able to pass auditions; talents sifted through the proverbial eye of a needle by musician Zarah Smith who manages the artists’ haven.
Finally, KDB also had a slice of the Handuraw pie that those musicians who went before them had a serving of, when they performed for Zarah’s album launching last August 18. After that, they trooped to Casili Hills in Mandaue City for an invitational performance by a community organization. Then on the 19th for the acquaintance party of the Engineering department of the University of Cebu.
On September 15, the Buchitoongs are expected to give away free CDs to friends who would grace the release of their KDB Extended Play album. After all that’s been said and done, the life they spent in band-ing didn’t deal with the gall of misfortune. It was all part of the determined climb to grab a space on the airwaves, which is what the Buchitoongs are destined for.
Email koolerah@yahoo.com.ph or you can stream the KDB music at purevolume.com. Surf photographs of their recent gigs at koolerah@yahoo.com.ph on their Friendster site.
Shoutouts: Thank you for the support of Ossified. Thanks to the skaters of 7Hall, to Reguns’ band “Observe”, fellow bands in Opon like Flirt, Zarah of Handuraw, Ram and Bré of Smash FM, Billy, Anthony Chua of BSU, mascot of Felbert, to parents, friends, relatives, and those who believe in the Buchitoongs. KDB is just so grateful! Mwahz!

2006-09-17T02:41:00.000-07:00

Birth Control: Mga rockista sa CIT
Tinagik ni Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros

Natakdo ang pagsagop sa Birth Control og pangalan nga may kalabutan sa dugukan sa reproductive health tungod kay ang wala nila damhang debut gig alang man sa usa ka kalihukan nga nagduso sa reproductive health awareness nga gibatbat usab ang mga pamaagi sa pagkunhod sa gidaghanon sa tsansang manganak (birth control) ug mga solusyon kon mga sarang kapilian alang sa pagpugong sa padayong pagbutod sa populasyon.

Ang maong concert nga gipangunahan sa mga sakop sa prensa sa “Technologians”, ang opisyal nga pamantalaan sa mga tinun-an sa Cebu Institute of Technology, nagpasiugda sa maong kalihukan diha sa Ayala Center Cebu ug gikontrata isip maglilingaw ang bandang Birth Control.

Matud pa sa gitarista nga si Dindo Miranda nga “invitational performance to sa Birth Control which in a way matched the significance of raising an issue as sensitive as reproductive health and reproductive health rights.”
“Actually, ang Birth lifted na from the first album of Urbandub which is one of a few bands I admire,” sumpay ni Frederick “Derick” Macaraya, ang tigdakol-dakol, nga nagtungha sa CIT sa kursong BSBA major in General Business Management.

“Nya ang Control gikan na’s kanta sa California rock band Puddle of Mudd. Though I do drums, I admire the collaborative heavy guitar work of Paul Philips and singer Wesley Scantlin, so mao na siya nga Birth Control. Gi-fuse nako,” pasabot ni Derick.

Sa pangutana kon sa unsang paagiha gusto nilang mahinumduman isip kabahin sa nagkabagang duot sa mga Bisdak nga rockers, sila midason nga “we want to be known as a new breed of CIT-based rockers” imbis mga tigpamaba sa birth control, kay ang ilang buot kahatagan ug gibug-aton mao man ang pagkahimugso sa mga huni o melodiya, pulong o mga berso nga pangamahanan sa dakong gugma sa pagpanukar, dili ang literal nga pagpanganak."Kana bang birth of notes, birth of sounds, mao na siya among gusto nga ma-take notice sa mga listeners. We want our songs to be heard by those who have learned to worship sounds played in the Sugbuano tongue," mao kini ang hinugpong nga baruganan sa Birth Control.

“Hinoon, dili sad mi mokanta og Binisaya permi kay we also have written songs in English, but we do hope that support would also flow for original Cebuano compositions rendered in English kay Bisaya ra man sad gihapon ang nikanta. Bale kamao man sad mi mosuwat ug English songs nya nakasugod na pud mi ani, so amo lang i-sustain,” matud pang Eduardo “Audie” Bontia, ang bahista, nga usa usab ka tinun-an sa Information Technology diha sa CIT.

Gipakita ni Audie ang usa ka kopya sa ilang Extended Play album nga gigama isip pagsulay sa gitawag og “appeal” niini ngadto sa usa ka music market dinha’s nataran sa CIT. Ang album nga giulohan og “Fallen Faster” nga mao usab ang ulohan sa ilang first track sa EP gipang-apod-apod nila sa ilang mga kaubang mga estudyante. Ug sila nalipay sa gipakitang kahinangop sa ilang kaubang mga tinun-an sa ilang mga panikay-sikay.

Si Ryan Bernales sa vocals, usa ka tinun-an sa Electronics and Communications Engineering, ug ang bag-ong kaplag nga si Lydell “Itchoy” Lusañez sa gitara maoy mihingpit sa bandang Birth Control nga mipakita na sa ilang katakos isip mga rockista. Nalangkat na nila ang ikaduhang pwesto batok dose ka mga banda diha sa CIT sa usa ka tigi atol sa kasaulogan sa Intramurals niadtong 2004.

Nalabwan pa kining maong kadungganan sa dihang sila ang milarot sa unang pwesto sa “Next to Shine” Battle of the Band diha sa Punta Princesa kaatbang ang lima ka mga banda, lakip niini ang mga Bisrockista ug Smashers nga Stonestomp ug Republika.

Human mahulma niadtong Nobyembre 2003 ang Birth Control, nahimugso ang Fallen Faster niadtong 2004 nga may duha ka kanta nga Iningles – ang “I Won’t Let You Go” ug “Stay” nga gitagik ni Audie. Mapalit kini sa tag-P60 ang kopya ug may bonus kining video sa ilang Fallen Faster performance ug ang “Nailad” nga mao ang gipatukar karon sa 93.1 Smash FM. (/30)