Concert with a Cause

Like many Filipinos, I love music. To be specific, I love listening to music; God apparently did not bless me with an awesome voice or enough patience to learn a musical instrument. And I'm one of those guys who can appreciate, even like, all kinds of music (well, except classic country). One kind of music that I really have a soft spot for are the Filipino progressive songs of the 1980s. I first listened to them as a high school junior, during rehearsals for a school production of Ritchie Valencia's Juan Obrero. Our drama teacher thought to use Filipino progressive music to match the play's equally progressive content, hence my co-performers and I got to listen to Joey Ayala, Buklod and Gary Granada for the first time. I remember how their songs--Ayala's "Bata Batuta" and Buklod's "Buhay at Bukid," among others--impressed me with their sobering lyrics, stirring melodies and undeniable sincerity. So different from the ones being played on the radio then.

Last Friday, at Rody's open invitation I went to a special gig at the '70s Bistro. How special? Patatag, one of the country's finest progressive musical groups, performed a benefit gig for one of their members. I've been inclined to go: I've heard Rody, one of the group's founding members, recall his experiences with Patatag to the Bloc before, and I've been quite interested to get a hold of their three-CD set (a little pricey, but definitely worth it) that comes with the ticket to the gig. And I am not the only one: so many people came, packing the place. Not just friends, but fans of the group's music as well. Clearly Patatag has developed a devoted following through the years.

Anyone who watched that night knew why the group has so many admirers. Many of those who came to the gig grew up during the early 1980s--the time Patatag was formed--and as expected the group's songs have great nostalgic value for them. For others, including myself, it's really a pleasure to hear their voices blend so well, singing with such conviction and power in one rousing song after another: "Pagbabago." "Dapat Bawiin." "Wala Nang Tao sa Santa Filomena." Rody had a few strong solo numbers (including the very famous "Manggagawa" from Sister Stella L., which the audience loved). So did the very sweet-voiced Susan Fernandez and Patatag's musical father Jess Santiago. If there's a complaint, it's the fact the mini-concert was too short.

Below is a video of the group singing "Wala Nang Tao sa Santa Filomena" at the gig, which I found on YouTube. See how good they were:



I've been listening to Patatag's three albums since last Friday, and as far as I'm concerned I like the first one, titled Nagbabagang Lupa, the best. Perhaps that album's main theme--the unjust and miserable conditions facing our poor farmers, which I feel very sympathetic about--had a hand in my liking it so much, but to offer that as the reason, I feel, doesn't give the songs justice. "Julian Makabayan"? A pleasure to listen. "Nagbabagang Lupa"? Heartrending. "Tano"? Simple but very powerful. "Wala Nang Tao sa Santa Filomena"? Haunting. "Dapat Bawiin"? Stirring. "Butil ng Palay"? Bittersweet, its melody reminding me of lullabies.

Before they ended the gig last Friday, Patatag announced that they'll be having another concert on May 1--Labor Day--next year. I'm sure a lot of people will come--myself included. Their gig last Friday have made me an earnest admirer.

Sing Out "Sister"

Piling-pili lang ang mga pelikulang Pilipino na masasabi kong mga paborito ko. Isa na rito ang Sister Stella L. (1984, Regal Films), na idinerehe ni Mike de Leon at tampok sina Jay Ilagan, Tony Santos Sr., Laurice Guillen at, ang pinakasikat sa kanilang lahat, Vilma Santos. Para sa akin, gustong-gusto ko ang pelikulang ito bilang isang character study ng isang karaniwang madre na unti-unti naging isang di-karaniwang aktibista noong siyang nagsimulang makibaka sa isang grupo ng mga nagwewelgang manggagawa. Gustong-gusto ko rin ang pelikula dahil sa mga awit na nilikha nina Pete Lacaba at Ding Achaoso. Isa na dito ang "Aling Pag-Ibig Pa," na kinanta ni Pat Castillo sa closing credits:

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pag-ibig ko sa iyo, bayan ko?
Sa hirap at ginhawa
Sa ligaya't dalita,
Ako'y kasa-kasama mo.

Kung ang gintong palay ay kumakaway
Katabi mo ako sa bukid, bayan ko.
Kung tigang ang lupa
At 'di ka makaluha
Ako ang magdidilig.

Kung ang bulaklak ay humahalimuyak
Igagawa kita ng kwintas, bayan ko.
Kung magbababanta ang bagyo't sigwa
Ako'y may kubong ligtas.

May pag-ibig pa bang higit na dakila
Sa pag-ibig ko sa iyo, bayan ko?
Wala na nga, wala
Wala na nga, wala
Wala na nga, wala.

Isa pang awit mula sa Sister Stella L. ay ang "Sangandaan." Kinanta din ito ni Pat Castillo sa pelikula. Pero sa YouTube video na ito, si Noel Cabangon naman:

'Di ko maiwasang maalala ang mga kantang ito ngayong araw, sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa ngayon. 'Di ko ring maiwasang maging malungkot: may ibang pag-ibig nang humigit pa sa pag-ibig sa bayan; at ang ating bansa, nananatili pa rin sa sangandaan. Sabi nga ng bida sa katapusan ng pelikula: "Kung hindi tayo kililos, sino ang kililos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?"

Cool Cook

David Cook, American Idol 2008
(Photo by Mario Anzuoni for Reuters)

Wow. Contrary to expectations, America voted for the better David. It voted for what I feel is the best American Idol since Carrie Underwood. So glad. And relieved, actually; the results made up for last night's less-than-stellar show. I mean, using a boxing metaphor to describe the duel of the Davids is appallingly corny, but to hammer it down at every chance it gets? Come on!

No, I don't feel that bad for Archuleta. No doubt, the kid is gifted with a great voice and should have a terrific career ahead of him (as long as his old man doesn't meddle too much). But thanks in part to the hype the show had built up for him, he has become so overrated. He just doesn't excite me as a performer. He doesn't have the electrifying verve, the cool vibe that Cook has.

Nice to see the other finalists again, especially my other favorite, Carly Smithson. In a perfect world, she and Cook should be the Top Two. I feel quite sorry for Amanda Overmeyer: her face, her body language seemed to say: "Fuck, let's get this over with. I'm so not into this crap." I seriously doubt if most of the eliminated contestants will be able to use the exposure they got on the show to jumpstart their career. Too many former Idol wannabes tried, and failed miserably. Carly and Brooke White may have some prospects, but I think Syesha Mercado has the best chance.

The finale was just OK. Good to see Seal there, and Byran Adams, and George Michael. But the obviously aging Donna Summer (her being aided by two guys so she could tread down the steps without tripping is kinda pitiful)? Not really. Ditto with Reynaldo Lapuz. Even the manipulated footage of Gladys Knight singing--what else?--"Midnight Train to Georgia" (didn't she sang this with last season's female finalists, well, last year?). Manipulated, because Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. were put in there instead of the Pips to basically make goofballs of themselves. It's not even funny. I remember thinking while watching this: Why Robert? Why do this? You're much better than this.

So much ink has been spilled, so much spit has been wasted in claiming that this season is the show's best so far. Granted, this one is way better than last year. But the best so far? Yeah right. In my mind, the fifth season--where Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Elliot Yamin, Katharine McPhee and (oh alright) Taylor Hicks were introduced to the world--is still tops. That season has so many unforgettable performances. Yes, Season Seven has its share, but honestly, there's only one song I liked enough to download: Carly's take on Dolly Parton's "Here You Go Again."

Again, very happy with the results. David Cook deserves the title.