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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

CALENDARIONG BICOL

An Calendariong Bicol dating Almanaque Calendariong Bicol (1921-1953) sarong magasin na pinalagda ni Casimiro Perfecto asin pinag-imprenta sa saiyang imprentahan na Libreria y Imprenta Mariana.

Katuyuhan kaining magtaong bareta asin mga prognostico sa aro-aldaw na gibo-gibo kan mga paraoma asin mga kagharong. Ini nag'ako man nin mga rawitdawit asin mga osipon sa pagpakusog kan literaturang Bikol.

Mayormente an publikasyon na ini kaarogan kan si Almanaque Panayanhon na tinogdas ni Mariano Perfecto sa Mandurriao, Iloilo kan taon 1906.

Pakagadan ni Casimiro Perfecto kan Enero 10, 1953, ipinadagos an publikasyon kaini kan Cecilio Press na rogaring kadtong dainang Gaudencio Cecilio. Si Cecilio trabahador dati kan Imprenta Mariana. An mga bantogan na parasurat sa Bikol siring ka Manuel Salazar asin Luis Dato asin dakul pang iba nagaarambag digdi kan saindang mga artikulo.

Nag-ayaw pa nin abot mga taon 1980 na pinaluwas an Kalendariong Bikol maski ngani totoo an inarogan kaining publikasyon na Almanaque Panayanhon sige pa an pagluwas sagkod ngonyan duman sa Iloilo.

Source: 
 http://bcl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendariong_Bicol

IBALONG FESTIVAL

An Ibalong Festival sarong pagromdom asin pagrokyaw kan mga pangyaring gugurang igdi sa Kabikolan siring kan ipinamalas sa istorya kan epikong Ibalong. An tampok sa selebrasyon iyo an pagpadayaw sa tinampo nin mga sayaw, drama asin mga awit nagmumustra kan ralaban kan mga heroe sa epiko na sinda Handyong, Baltog asin Bantong asin kun pano ninda nadaog asin nasupil sa Oryol, Rabot buda an mga tandayagan na hayop arog ki Tandayag, asin mga opon na nagraratak sa mga tanoman kan mga Bikolnon.

Makolor an selebrasyon, kun anon-anong pasamno sa lawas an sinusulot sa mga maraborab na kolor sa pagpahiling nin kaogmahan kan banwaan sararo sa pagtubod asin sa ginikanan.

An selebrasyon sarong semana na gayo. Napoon sa Oktobre 25 abot 31 kan taon. Pano ini nin mga iba-iba pang aktibidad siring sa Pagpasale kan mga manlaenlaen na lutong bikolnon, Patagalan sa pagkaon ki maharang na sili, pagpa-ayon sa mga isports, pagpatinda kan mga produktong Bikol siring sa handikrafs, kontes sa Pagarayonan nin mga Daraga.

An selebrasyon pinapahiling man an katibayan, an orag sabi kaiyan, an kaisogan sa tahaw nin anoman na kalamidad, bagyo man, linog, baha o pagputok kan magayon na Ma'yong asin padagos an paghhingoa na daing pagluya nin boot.

An pagrokyaw kan Ibalong Festival tongod sa Oktobre 25 abot Oktobre 31 taon-taon. Ginigibo ini sa syudad kan Legazpi.

‘IBALONG’—the Bicolano epic as spectacle

 By Amadís Ma. Guerrero
Philippine Daily Inquirer 3:28 am | Saturday, January 5th, 2013 

The epic of Bicolandia, “Ibalong,” is a mélange of fantastic stories with three heroes—Baltog, Handyong and Bantong—who got to battle against the elements, one-eyed monsters, giant flying sharks, crocodiles as big as boats, and other such fearful creatures. 

Perhaps the greatest hero of Ibalong, the old name of Bicol, was Handyong, who went on to build a town in an area called Ligmanan. Handyong was a wise leader, and his town flourished. The people planted rice which they named after the chieftain. Under his rule, masters and slaves were treated equally. 

It is the story of Handyong which the forthcoming production of Tanghalang Pilipino, “Ibalong,” a dance-drama-musical, will focus on, bringing together stellar talents from the performing arts. 

The stage adaptation is by Rody Vera, with music by Carol Bello and her Encantada band, and choreography by Alden Lugnasan. Production design is by Leeroy New, and Katsch Catoy is lighting designer. Tuxqs Rutaquio directs. 

“Ibalong” goes on stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Aurelio V. Tolentino Theater for three weekends from Feb. 8-March 3, 8 p.m. on Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays. 

IN REHEARSAL, Handyong (Remus Villanueva) girds for battle.  PHOTO BY AMADÍS MA. GUERRERO

 

EPITOME OF PRIDE

Handyong will be played by goodlooking and hunky Remus J. Villanueva, 26, who joined TP’s Actors Company only last year and is a mass communication graduate from San Beda College-Alabang. This is his first starring role. 

The alternate is another talented hunk, Myke Salomon, who was a hit in Peta’s “Care Divas” and Atlantis Productions’ “Aida.” 

For Villanueva, Handyong as interpreted by Vera “is actually the epitome of pride when it comes to ruling Ibalong. He wants to take charge and conquer. Rody wants to impart something else, different from other productions, not just the hero but kung anong natutunan ni Handyong (what Handyong learned). The play is very timely.” 

Director Tuxqs Rutaquio. PHOTO BY AMADÍS MA. GUERRERO

The other major characters are Oryol (Jenine Desiderio of “Miss Saigon” fame) a serpent who, like the sirens in The Odyssey, uses her beautiful voice to captivate men; Gugurang (May Bayot), God of the Heavens; Aswang (Jonathan Tadioan), God of the Underworld and the father of Oyrol; and Rabot (Marco Viaña), a blind serpent whose stare can turn you to stone. 

Rabot and Oyrol were an item, but somehow the match did not materialize. 

Delphine Buencamino is understudy to Desiderio. 

YOUNGER TACK

“Ibalong is not known to all so we are making it more marketable to young people,” observes Rutaquio. “We settled more on the mythical features and the costumes will invite more audiences. So it is a spectacle, with stunts and costumes that are visually appealing.” 

The music is neoethnic with a tinge of rock, but also “may pagka-spiritual ang attack ni Carol, especially for Oyrol,” the director says. The halimaws (monsters), with their headdresses made of resin, serve as the Greek chorus, and the arias are chant-like. 

“We are also focusing on the environment, on how we are destroying the forests,” Rutaquio adds.

At the end Handyong dies, so as to eradicate all the halimaws. He who had created a civilization and wanted to conquer the heavens is struck by lightning and expires. It is a sacrifice on his part, to give way to his son Makusog (Cheeno Macaraig). And so the legacy continues. 

The triumphant coda is a vision of Daraga Magayon (the beautiful) rising, leading to a change in the landscape of the region and the creation of majestic Mt. Mayon. And the real saga of Bicolandia will begin.

Source: 

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/83995/ibalong-the-bicolano-epic-as-spectacle

HANDIONG AT DARAGANG MAGAYON