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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

MARTIR NG CAMARINES NORTE

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REGGAE and "KUNDIMAN" - ABRAHAM DEFEO of MUDFLOW BAND

 Abraham Defeo - Vocalist & Songwriter ng bandang MUDFLOW, ang kumanta ng SARONG BANNGI in Reggae version.

SANTO DOMINGO, Albay, Philippines - While rock and bubblegum music are still the rage, a young band in this town chose to experiment with an old Bicolano song that kids would be hard put to remember.

Fusing reggae and kundiman, the band Mudflow overhauled the folk classic “Sarung Banggi” (“One Evening”) and turned it into an unlikely pop hit.

“Sarung Banggi” was written by Potenciano Gregorio Sr. (1880-1939), a native of Lib-og town, now known as Sto. Domingo -- the place where the band was formed.


CREATED AWARENESS
The attempt to update a traditional Bicolano folk song through the infectious beat of reggae was Mudflow’s way of encouraging its peers to rediscover their own cultural heritage.

The modernized “Sarung Banggi” succeeded in creating an awareness when it was included by Manila FM radio station Jam 88.3 in its music compilation album, “Doobie Nights” (Galaxy Records), released in 2006.

The song tells of a man who was roused from sleep one night by what he thought was a songbird. Realizing it was not a dream, the man rose and soon discovered it was his lover’s voice that had awakened him.

“We picked that song because it’s our town’s heritage song. As Bicolanos, we wanted to promote our own culture through music,” said Mudflow vocalist and main songwriter Abraham Defeo, 23.


BRIDGED GAP
Defeo added that the remake has bridged a generation gap, with young and old equally appreciating it during the band’s gigs.

The other members of the five-man group are drummer Ray Gerard Marquez, 23; bassist Fidel Balin Jr., 25; lead guitarist Fidel Balin III, 22; and guitarist Mark Andrew Ortiz, 20.

Mudflow got its name while the guys were on their way to Legazpi City, from a road sign alerting travelers to overflowing water from the gullies of Mayon Volcano. The sign read: “Warning: Mudflow ahead.”

In 2002, Mudflow won in the regional Battle of the Bands held annually at the Magayon Festival. The band released its first independent, self-titled album the following year. It had eight songs, four of which were originals.

The album was recorded and reproduced using a desktop computer.

For P5,000 Mudflow churned out 100 copies burned on compact discs. The guys sold the CD for P120 each.

Several tracks, including the now-famous “Sarung Banggi” remake, have gained regular airplay on local radio stations in the Bicol region.


MORE THAN MUSIC
The band members insist reggae is more than music.

“It is idealism conveyed through music,” Defeo said. “It is performed for a cause.”

One of Mudlow’s original compositions, “Paraisong Panaginip,” discusses environmental degradation.

Another song, “Ay Naku Po,” is about young people dealing with pressure.

Mudflow lamented insufficient support or recognition extended to fledgling bands in the provinces.
“We have a lot of serious and talented musicians here but their potentials do not fully develop due to lack of equipment,” said bassist Fidel Balin Jr.


MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Defeo recounted that Mudflow once had to decline a Manila-based director’s offer to make a video for “Sarung Banggi” because equipment rental alone would have cost them P50,000.

He noted that it’s hard for a full-time musician to provide for a family, and so many have left the country to pursue careers abroad.

Mudflow does not buy the idea of working as well-paid musicians overseas.

Balin explained: “Even if we try, we won’t be able to play together for sure, since it is the practice of recruitment agencies to screen musicians and form new bands from among the ones that they like.”

Mudflow clings to the hope of entering the mainstream Filipino music industry and still popularize music that reflects the unique culture they represent.

(Daily Inquirer

JAYSON FERNANDEZ - former frontman of RIVERMAYA

JAYSON FERNANDEZ, dating frontman ng bandang RIVERMAYA ay isang half-Greek half-Filipino mula sa Manguisoc, Camarines Norte.
 
 Former Rivermaya frontman Jason Fernandez was just 18 years old when he won the Bagong Liwanag: The Search for the New Rivermaya Vocalist, and joined the third evolution of the famed band. Jason left the band last year and formed his own band Sta. Maria. Jason Fernandez is being managed by Orion Entertainment.

After more than one year, Jason, together with his band, is all set to release his debut album entitled “PANIMULA” under Ivory Music & Video Inc. The album is set for release on the 3rd week of November.

According to Jason, this album marks another “Panimula” for him. “I have been working on this album for the past year, and I am very proud with how everything turned out” says Jason. “The wait is definitely worth it. The album follows my journey as a musician.”

When asked what the public can expect from the album, Jason quips that its sound will show his musical influences including his former band Rivermaya.
“It is undeniable that Rivermaya and its music made me evolve not just as a musician but also as a human being. The group has taught me a lot and this album will prove that,” says Jason. “I will forever be grateful to Rivermaya for the opportunity and the lessons that they have imparted to me.”

The album contains songs about hope, lost love, life, and inspirations.

FULL TRACKLISTING:
PANIMULA
MARIA (first single)
 KARERA
PANAGINIP
KAYA MO BA AKONG MAHALIN?
SUNDANG
BULONG NG KALABAN