27th Sampung Daliri, Atbp.

After hearing Mass two Sundays ago with Sonny and the family’s helper Maymay, I proceeded to Manila. I ate dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken - Harrison Plaza before going to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the usual venue for University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music’s Sampung Mga Daliri, Atbp.

Curiously, the 27^th version of this annual showcase of UST’s musical talents happened on the 27^th of February.

Unlike last year, Odette my wife wasn’t able to come with me to support our eldest son’s participation in the event who sang with the Chorus classes for the second time now as she wasn’t feeling well today.

Like last year, I barely made it to the singing of the national anthem and the concert’s first number, as latecomers were requested not to enter (Ludwig Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture”) while the performers where still playing.

I guess this year’s performance was extra special. As the program went on, it was obvious that the university’s Quadricentennial celebration had played a great influence to the underlying theme for this year’s version, drumming up a deep sense of history, nationalism and school pride.

In this regard, a flurry of traditional melodies flooded our senses with interpretations of “Lulay” by A Molina and Pandangguhan by R. Umali coupled later in the evening with a beautiful Kundiman medley comprised of patriotic songs “Sa Mahal Kong Bayan”, “Ang Aking Bayan”, “Lupang Hinirang” and “Kay Tamis ng Buhay” as conducted by Herminigildo Ranera.

More importantly, a special feature was made on Gerry de Leon’s “Ako’y Isang Tomasino” and a rendition of the original version of the UST Hymn composed by Julio Esteban-Anguita, (the Conservatory’s first Director) came as the concert’s glorious finale.

Interspersed all throughout the program were timeless melodies from operatic, classical, and Broadway favorites. I was quite impressed with the unorthodox performance of 10 young alumni pianists for their take on the grunge band Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Contagion). I went on a “graduation” mood listening to the march and dance from G. Verdi’s “Aida”. Earlier, my imagination ran creatively, trying to visualize the animal characters paraded in Saint Saens’ “Carnival of Animals”.

Personally, I thought this year’s concert did not top last year’s grandeur and rich variety of performances. But then again, very few performances to my mind could top a Les Miserables finale. Understandably, each year’s performance will be a harder act to follow. In a sense, Sampung Daliri has made it more and more difficult to outdo itself as the years go by.

Still, it was a wonderful celebration of music, a brief but reinvigorating respite from the hustle and bustle of our regular urban grind. As these musical celebrations do not come as often as we want them, I’m curious what lies ahead for next year’s version.

"Hot Girl Shreds On Guitar"

I told myself I should write something explosive to start the New Year, 2011.

A couple of weeks ago, by some act of serendipity, I had the chance to view a video of this young girl exceptionally playing the electric guitar.

Entitled “Hot Girl Shreds on Guitar”, the video on MSN featured the musical talent of Juliette Valduriez, playing her guitar rendition of ‘Lost Paradise’ (extended solo version).

Her performance blew my mind!

One viewer commented, “Now this is every musicians dream girl! She's got some real talent.” That she has…that she has.

But don’t take my word for it, check out Juliette at the below mentioned video.

Amazing, right?

Later I came across other cover performances by this fair rock maiden eventually discovering she has an account with YouTube named “JulietteVmusic’s Channel where you could see and hear her other cover performances on the net.

There I learned that Juliette is a 23-year old girl from Paris, France. She joined the YouTube community just April of last year but has obviously been gaining a large fan base since then.

I’m almost a hundred percent sure we’ll hear of bigger things to come Juliette’s way. I pray that she remains modest in her new found and growing musical success.

I end this post with another one of her earlier performances on the net. Enjoy!

Meinl Day: Drum Clinic 2010 with Benny Greb

Meinl Day @ Miriam College

Junior and I arrived late by an hour or so at the auditorium of Miriam College last July 10. We just came from McDonald’s Philcoa where we were supposed to have met a lot earlier but I think he got caught in traffic coming from his Saturday class in the University of Sto. Tomas. I was quite exhausted already from this morning’s heat and traveling to and from Concepcion, Tarlac where CFC brod Omin del Castillo and I attended a post birthday celebration of Sis. Lyn Meloto (wife of Gawad Kalinga founder and CFC Brother Tony Meloto) at a local GK site.

We arrived during the lively and very instructive open forum

I really didn’t expect much, thinking I would just be spending the time to rest. I didn’t know the guy Meinl brought in to lead the drum clinic. But Junior raved about this drummer’s remarkable talent and really looked forward in attending this clinic.

You know what? Junior was right. This guy is a heck of a drum player! Giving more time to a very lively open forum, he was wittingly very entertaining to an inquisitive crowd.

For those like me who knew more about comedian Benny Hill than Benny Greb, I did a little research on the guy on the internet. Like what he said during the open forum, he started playing the drums at a very early age, at age six then took lessons at the age of 12. Born on June 13, 1980 in Augsburg, Germany, he later took on a diverse variety of music playing rock, jazz, funk, new wave, reggae and even classical music with a number of other accomplished musicians.

Obviously a strong endorser of Meinl cymbals and percussion instruments, he has in fact developed a number of hi-hats and other types of cymbals for that German brand. Greb also promotes Sonor drums, Remo drum heads and Pro-Mark drum sticks (which Junior also likes!).

The participants spill out from the auditorium

Lyric, a local chain of music stores carry the Meinl brand

After the drum clinic, it was good that we were able to get a head start outside the auditorium to queue for Greb’s signature.

Junior gets to have Greb sign a number of Meinl product paraphernalia

Rare photos of two prolific drummers

Of course Junior was overjoyed about the whole event. Me? I’m happy to have learned more about drumming’s technical side – that it’s just not simply hitting the drums and cymbals with your sticks. It is both an art and a science.

One statement that Benny Greb said about drummers continues to ring in my head. He said something like, “We’re lucky bastards…we’re allowed to do this (play the drums)!”

I simply have to agree. Even music enthusiasts with a low threshold for the drums’ relative loudness (to some, bordering on noise) would well appreciate the creative beauty of Greb’s music.

2007 video from a 2005 album of the same title

To know more about Benny Greb and his brand of music, check out his official website @ http://www.bennygreb.de/

26th Sampung Mga Daliri, Atbp. (A 10 Piano Concert)

Fernando Jr. just turned 18 last Feb. 25.

A few days later, he was singing in front of hundreds of people at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater.

It wasn’t exactly a solo concert or major recital for my eldest son. But who’s complaining? So what if it was a minor itsy bitsy teeny weenie role as part of a 500 plus ensemble of music students, alumni and faculty of the University of Sto. Tomas’ Conservatory of Music. The fact remained he sang to a multitude of music patrons at the country’s premier cultural venue, the prestigious CCP. It was a humble achievement, but a noteworthy feat nonetheless.

Started in 1984 by the late National Artist Ernani Cuenco, last February 28 marked the 26th presentation of “Sampung Mga Daliri, Atbp.” by the UST Conservatory of Music. As in previous editions, it mainly featured music played on ten pianos alongside performances of various musical groups of the Conservatory such as the Percussion Ensemble, the Rondalla Ensemble, the Guitar Ensemble, the Jazz Band, Pop’Era Chorus, Coro Tomasino, the Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, the Wind Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra and the Chorus classes of the Conservatory.

The audience was entertained with renditions of classical, contemporary and native music which included masterpieces from Albeniz, Liszt, Katchaturian, Gershwin, Rodgers, Hammerstein, Schoenberg and home grown talents Ryan Cayabyab and Nonong Pedero.

Odette and I entered the concert hall a few minutes late, spending quite a long time at the ticket line. The balcony’s steep design was quite disconcerting at first; leaving you with a feeling you’d fall off to the lodge seats below. We moved to seats with a better view beside the ledge itself. The unsettling feeling a bit subsided as time went along, but one really had to be careful in those high places. I regret leaving behind my binoculars as faces couldn’t easily be recognizable at that distance. On the other hand, the manual camera I remembered to bring wasn’t allowed inside the theater during the concert so I had to leave it at the security desk. Tough luck. So all the pictures I took had to be post concert ones.

I was specifically impressed with the interpretations of the guitar classical piece “Sevilla” from “Suite Espanola”, the jazzy interpretation of “Summertime”, the melodious “My Favorite Things”, the creative inclusion of up tempo beat modern songs in Pop’era breakers (which included the Korean girl band hit song ‘Nobody’). I felt quite nostalgic hearing a rendition of Pedero’s “Saranggola ni Pepe” evoking a time when life was a whole lot simpler and seen through the eyes of childlike innocence.

This year’s grand finale was the best part of course. A medley of songs from Schoenberg’s Broadway hit “Les Miserables” was sang by a composite group of Conservatory alumni, faculty, chorus classes and ensembles accompanied by the delightful music of UST’s Symphony Orchestra and 10 pianists from the piano department. Junior was a member of one of those Chorus classes. A minor part. Again I say it was a humble achievement, but a noteworthy feat nonetheless.

CCP’s Main Lobby





Proud parents of a budding music major

“Do you hear the people sing…?” I think I did.

Speaking on behalf of the UST Conservatory of Music, Dean Raul Sunico, wrote in his message that they hope the event “will bring music closer to the people” as well as offer “performing opportunities and inspiration” to many of their participants. From what I saw and heard, I believe the concert did just that.

By the looks of it, the event is only the first of a long array of school related performances for my son. As Junior hones his skills as a music student majoring in percussion, I have high hopes for his musical future.

God of Silence: Bukas Palad Music Ministry’s 2005 CD album

“The God of Silence calls us to journey to His heart.

To rest in His embrace.

To stop.

To be still.

To listen, and to hear the beauty of His quiet voice that brings us peace.”

Bukas Palad

Every so often you hear a song or a set of songs in just one album that really touches your heart. In local liturgical music, other than the Jesuit Music Ministry, songs by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry have time and again struck a chord in me.

Even after a string of well loved worship songs compiled in two volumes of their “Best of Bukas Palad” in 1999, they continued to sing and render new inspiring songs for the Lord. In 2005, they released God of Silence, a CD album that featured 15 songs “inspired by psalms, prayers, and stories of real people who have experienced the faithful love of Christ deeply and intimately.”

Bukas Palad wishes that their songs bring about solace and consolation to all those who are weary and seek rest. They pray that as we find hope and healing for ourselves that we keep in mind that the God we discover in silence is the same Lord who leads our “broken world and history.” They hope that finding God’s peace and love may also give us the fortitude and power to proclaim His good news of justice and truth to those who continue to live in the darkness.

On this post, I decided to highlight a dear song from the CD album with the same title.

Dedicated to the Carmelite sisters, words and music were crafted by gifted Jesuit composer Manoling Francisco, S.J. and interpreted by soloists Candice Cabutihan and Lou Grant Tan.

May you also seek and find the God of silence as I did. As we quiet down we soon realize He is not far away. The Holy Spirit moves within us and resides in the hearts of His people…there He awaits your coming.

----------------------------------------------------------

GOD OF SILENCE

The God of silence beckons me

To journey to my heart, where He awaits.

O Lord I hear You calling tenderly,

To You I come to gaze at the beauty of Your face I cannot see.

To rest in Your embrace I cannot feel,

To dwell in Your love, hurting but sweet,

To be with You, to glimpse eternity.

REFRAIN God of night, fount of all my delight,

Show Your light, that my heart, like Yours, burn bright.

Be still, the torment of the night

Shall not encumber you, if you believe.

My child, this darkness isn’t emptiness,

For here I mold your heart into My image, painfully you long to see.

The self you yearn to be, but fear to know,

The world from which you flee, in Me find home.

All these I give you, if you remain in Me.

CONTERPOINT I am ever here. My child, you need not fear.

The dark will set you free and bring your heart to Me.

CODA The God of silence beckons me

To journey to my heart where He awaits me.

------------------------------------------------------------

Himig Heswita Music Ministry: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place

Refrain

How lovely is your dwelling place

O Lord, mighty God, Lord of all.

Even the lonely sparrow

finds a home for her brood

and the swallow a nest for herself

where she may lay her young;

in your altars my king and my God.

(Repeat refrain)

Blessed are they whose dwelling

is your own, Lord of peace.

Blest are they refreshed

by springs and by rain

when dryness daunts and scathes

Behold my shield, my King and my God.

(Repeat refrain)

I would forsake

a thousand other days anywhere

If I could spend one day in your courts,

belong to you alone.

My strength are you alone.

My glory, my King and my God.

(Repeat refrain)

How lovely Your dwelling place,

Oh Lord mighty God,

Lord of all.

Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said that music was the universal language of mankind. If that holds true, then the Himig Heswita Music Ministry uses this medium very well for the Lord.

It was around 1995 that I first read and eventually heard the voices of the religious that composed this Jesuit ministry.

Led by then Jesuit Brother (now a full pledged priest) Manoling Francisco, they have taken great inspiration from the works of another remarkable liturgical composer from a preceding era, E.P. Hontiveros, S.J. in creating worship songs for the contemporary generation.

The song above is a classic example of their earlier works. Based on Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place” was written by Arnel dC Aquino, S.J., a Tenor 1 member of the group. I think the vocal solo of the song’s original version was rendered by Bass 2 member RB Hizon, S.J.

The song is very personal to me. How many times during my life’s darkest days have I found peace and solace in God’s loving presence and abode. And it’s not far away in some mystic temple or hidden Shangri-la. As Arnel Aquino S.J. rightly puts it, “the world is God’s dwelling place.” Likewise he adds, “we are God’s dwelling place.”

Fr. Aquino further states:

“Our loving God is in the world which He creates and sustains in fantastic beauty. In the ripeness of seasons, God Himself enters human time and human history in the person of His Son, Jesus in whom He dwells in Spirit. God always longs to be with us. How then can we ever doubt that this God who constantly longs to be with us can therefore make each of us His very dwelling place?”

How many times like Fr. Aquino have I found myself listening or singing the abovementioned song deeply touched and on the verge of tears. He reveals moments he too is filled with emotion as other people also are, in singing his compositions “with such resonance and expression and tenderness all their own.” He wonders how could this be…how music created by others can become another person’s very own? I agree with his conclusion that ultimately, because the Lord resides in us, it is He who beautifully sings to us and everyone who cares to listen or sing along. Through the song, it is the Lord who speaks to us…who sings to us…”to make it your own.”

The CD jacket of their first compilation album inscribed the following description of the ministry’s members:

“Young men preparing for the priesthood who, somewhere in their prayers, stumbled into God in a way they never did before. And, for one brief moment, everything they saw - the beaming face of a child, a sudden rain, an empty chair, a stranger’s wrinkled hands - suddenly shimmered with God. In such a moment, what else can one do but break into song?”

Faced with the reality of God’s loving presence, how else indeed…

I share in their wish that as we listen to the beauty of their ministry’s songs which envelop their prayers, may it also guide you “to stumble into your God.”

Earth Day Jam 2008 Rocks!

The best things in life are free.

That includes annual Earth Day Jam street concerts held in Quezon City.

My two older kids and I didn’t want to pass on another one of these cool and momentous yearly events so Junior and Sonny Boy joined me in the office later in the afternoon of April 25. Later that night, we attended the Earth Day Jam concert at the Tomas Morato Ave.

On its eight edition, the annual Earth Day Jam celebrated International Earth Day This year, the festive event featured no less than 23 of the country’s top bands and individual performers who converged and made music in an effort to raise awareness and support for conservation and protection of our environment.

When we arrived on T. Morato, a sea of humanity covered half the length of this popular lane for its food and entertainment row of establishments.

We agree with Greenpeace – Pass the Renewable Energy Bill…NOW !!!

The activity was in cooperation with the Quezon City Government and several governmental and non-governmental organizations. Some had booths with information materials on different environmental issues and how one may get actively involved in such advocacies.

The music marathon started with explosive Jazz, Samba and Bossa from groups like the Philippine Latin-Jazz Orchestra, The Company, Samba band Guarana and Bossa Nova diva, Sitti.

People excitedly waited as great bands came one after another

Expectedly, the crowd went wild as the pop-rock groups started performing one after the other. We listened to the rocking sounds of Barbie Almalbis, Imago, , Moonstar ’88, True Faith, Radio Active Sago Project, Kjwan, Up Dharma Down and Zelle. “Earthday jam” veterans such as Lou Bonnevie (who spearheaded the concert), rockers from Razorback, plus Noel Cabangon with his band and world-funk-ethno group Pinikpikan were all back at this musical event with an environmental cause. Other bands present were Brownman Revival, Juan Pablo Dream, Reggae Mistress, Sinosikat, and South Border. I think the concert reached its climactic points during the performances of three major bands - Callalily, Rivermaya and Sandwich.

More importantly, the concert provided a venue for both musicians and members of the audience to learn ways in concretizing concern for the environment. In between performances, musicians shared how in their little own ways they help protect the environment. Some cited waste segregation, recycling, reductions in energy spending and one group advocated for the use of alternative fuels.

Most of the audience stayed on through the night and early morning hours

At some point in time we went to Chowking at Timog Avenue to eat. By repositioning ourselves, we were able to go around the backstage area and get a closer view of the musicians. We were able to talk and have a picture with Zelle’s singer Jeazell Grutas. Jeazell’s gutsy vocals can be hauntingly heard in the band’s phenomenal hit, “Sabihin”.

Junior and Sonny pose with a real live rocker - Jeazell Grutas, vocalist /

acoustic guitar player of Zelle

I think it was around 4 a.m. when my two sons and I called it a “day”. Nine hours had passed so quickly and the concert still wasn’t finished when we left. I had to get some shut eye in preparation for the big pastoral formation activity my wife and I was involved during that weekend. We were members of the service team and participants at the same time.

I needed sleep and rest for my aching legs and feet. But all the tiredness was worth it. As it’s always inspiring to know that a lot more people including musicians care for the environment, willing to share their time and talents not for profit but for a worthy cause.

To these environmental musicians – may your tribe increase!

Junior performs at the Victory Heights Subdivision Battle of the Bands

Anathema Band rocks the night away in Victory Heights Subdivision

My eldest son has pure musical talent.

A lot of other young people have the same talents, some probably even better. But what set him apart from many of these gifted individuals is his ability to remain humble in his craft, constantly thankful to the Lord and the eagerness to share his skills with friends or anyone who simply wants to learn.

On the evening of December 8, Junior played the bass guitar with members of a band called Anathema at a place called Victory Heights Subdivision in the northern most part of Caloocan City. Dubbed “Unang Hakbang Tugtugan Tungo Sa Pagkakaisa (First Step: A Musical Concert Towards Unity) Battle of the Bands”, a group called Friends of Victory Heights organized this activity in cooperation with the Sangguniang Barangay of Barangay 180 Zone 16 of the said city. It seemed to have been part of the area’s celebration of the religious Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Prior to this date, Junior for the past few days has been helping the band members prepare for this event.

Sonny Boy and I came to watch to their band play. The activity held at the subdivision’s covered basketball court appeared to have been very successful judging by the droves of people who also came to watch the ten or so bands play it out for the honor of being pronounced as the event’s top band.

Band members are joined by friends and supporters

Junior’s band didn’t win any prize this time. But I believe their performance was at least one of the top five from the bands that performed that night. For the band members of Anathema, this was their first gig. Playing well without major hitches before a crowd of hundreds of people was reward enough. The good thing is that they all gained further experience in playing music and that they all enjoyed doing it!

Anathema is composed of:

Niňa Coronel – Vocals, Bass guitar
Fernando Mendoza, Jr. – Vocals, Bass and Rhythm guitars
Jason De Jesus – Lead guitars
Eimiel Toledo – Drums

Mariposa wins three awards in MCS Battle of the Bands 2007

Mariposa performs during this year’s Battle of the Bands

“Veni, vidi, vici.”

Mariposa, the high school band where my eldest son plays the drums, again captured the hearts and admiration of many Carmelians during this year’s Battle of the Bands (BOB) competition last Nov. 9 held at the Mater Carmeli School.

The BOB was the culminating activity of their school’s 21st Foundation Day celebration. Last year, Mariposa ran away with the special Students’ Choice Award. This year as high school juniors, they won the same award again plus two more – Best Original Composition and 2nd Runner up among the 10 competing finalists.

They were so blessed that the total accumulated cash prize that those three awards carried was substantially even more than what the 1st prize winners received!

The band sings the reggae sounding "Dreams"- their original composition entry

The band receives their 1st award from the School Directress Sr. Emily Corazon H. Bacani, C.M.

The band receives the 2nd award

….and their 3rd award for the night!

Some of the band members' proud parents pose for posterity



Parents of Mark Ven Quiambao gave us a dinner treat at Andok’s Restaurant

Like last year and the years before that, I’m most thankful for the fact that Junior has never, ever forgotten how they have reached the success they now celebrate.

And that is simply by God’s grace.

We are all thankful for their God given talents. May they continue to harness such talents for the greater glory of God and the service of their fellowmen!

The Bloomfields’ youngest fan

Faith Mendoza at 2 years and 5 months is Bloomfields' youngest fan

August 5 – That was the day it all began…I mean that’s when all this ranting and raving started.

I bought the Bloomfields first CD album in the SM Fairview. They were scheduled to sing later that afternoon but my family had to go already so we didn’t get the chance to listen to them live.

But from the first time my youngest and only daughter Faith heard the band’s song tracks, nothing has really been the same at home.

Faith particularly adores track 8, Bloomfields’ carrier single “Wala Nang Iba”. It’s also my personal favorite. Faith however brings new sense to the words “favorite song” and what it means to be a fan to new heights!

Day in, day out, she just wants to listen and sing and dance to the tune of track 8! It’s no exaggeration, as soon as she wakes up in the morning to the time she falls asleep in the evening, as I arrive home from work she never fails to cry out, “Papa, eight, eight!” She grabs hold of my hand and directs me to our VCD player prompting me to play track 8 of the CD she dearly holds in her hands. Amazingly, she knows all the band members' names (and faces) by heart and utters them as easily as she recites the alphabet - "Lakan (Keyboards), Louie (Bass), Pepe (Guitars), Rocky (Drums)... JJ(Guitars)!!"

She dances and sings to the tune of her favoriter track -

No. 8 ("Wala Nang Iba")

“Papa, eight, eight!” I let her listen to the other tracks hoping she also appreciates the other well arranged songs revived by the Bloomfields many from the sixties, from Bacharach to the early rock and roll bands like the Beach Boys and my all time favorite pop rock band, the Beatles. Their versions of local songs “Ale” and “Iskul Bukol” are also noteworthy. She eventually likes all of them but somehow “Wala Nang Iba” has a special place in her heart.

Without a doubt, the Bloomfields had brought something fresh to the table. In a musical landscape where local mediocre rock bands are dime a dozen and wannabees flounder, the band decides to go against the grain of conventional wisdom and played songs their daddies sang and tunes their moms danced to. The result is a healthy mix of the old and the new. Not just a cheesy revival of songs but a novel introduction to timeless classics.

No wonder their fan base seems to be from ages 2 to 92.

Certified No.1 fan!

I’m sure Faith would get over her ‘obsession’ with the Bloomfields sooner or later. Just don’t ask what year.

For now, my 2 year old daughter is their youngest and most loyal fan!

Amen to that!

Eto Na Apo Sila...Ulit! (The Apo Hiking Society)

The Apo Hiking Society.....during their younger years

I said it once I’ll say it again. “I generally view musical revivals with scorn and suspicion. For one, I don’t like artists who are not creative enough to make a name for themselves but merely ride on the popularity and success of well known names and songs. Secondly, a number of these revivals simply don’t live up to the standards the original songs and their artists have established.”

But last year’s tribute to the Apo Hiking Society by some of the country’s hottest bands was something I couldn’t simply ignore.

To many Filipinos the “Apo Hiking Society” was and still is a significant cultural icon of Original Pilipino Music or OPM. I couldn’t imagine the groovy 70’s during my primary education and my high school days of the early 80’s without their music.

Pinoy musical icons of the 70's and the 80's

Ask anyone from my generation and they’ll probably tell you the same thing. I mean, who never sang “Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan” when they were kids especially during the rainy season or danced to its beat during the annual school field demos. Who never sang “Mahirap Talagang Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba” when smitten over another guy’s girl friend? Who never serenaded their loved ones with classics like “Panalangin” or “You Gave a Me Reason” or pleaded with the seemingly undecided woman of your dreams with the words of the song “Ewan”?

The group's ala Beatles 'Abbey Road' record album cover

with former manager Butch Dans

Trivia: Driving the brown car in the background was balladeer Marco Sison.

The group - ten years together

Trivia: This was the cover of the album that had the most number of APO hits!

After decades of performing, still wacky as ever

Well in 2006, many of these familiar APO tunes of my childhood were revived, remade and reinvigorated with a distinct rock and roll twist. On the top of my list is the heavy metal version of “Doo Bidoo” by Kamikazee, “Batang-bata ka pa” as interpreted by Sugarfree, and the retro adaptation of “Yakap sa Dilim” by Orange and Lemons. Also noteworthy are the renditions of Imago (“Ewan”) and the nearly identical to the APO version singing of “Awit ng Barkada” by the Itchyworms.

The album which reportedly turned gold less than a week after its release was a phenomenal artistic and commercial success.

Guess what? This year, they were at it again. Roughly a year after the release of the “Kami nAPO Muna”, Universal Records in collaboration with Myx Channel came out with a second tribute album featuring a different of set APO songs not found in the first one.

Though I think the first would be a very hard act to follow, the second album entitled “Kami nAPO Muna Ulit”, could still stand alone on its own. Return performances of Kamikazee, Imago, Itchyworms, Spongecola, Parokya Ni Edgar, Shamrock, Mcoy Fundales of Orange and Lemons, Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich was mixed with renditions from equally well known bands like True Faith, the Radioactive Sago Project, the Bloomfields, Silent Sanctuary, Hilera, Up Dharma Down, and Dicta License plus cuts made by new bands like The Spaceflower Show, Scrambled Eggs, Paramita, Concrete Sam and Chillitees.

While I didn’t quite connect with the new versions of American Junk (one of my all time APO favorites) or Syotang Pa-Class (I didn’t like the old version much either) and some of the less known APO songs, I had a blast with a good majority of what this album had to offer. I thought Silent Sanctuary had a very good interpretation of “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” especially with their violin and cello infusions. Same with the saxophones of the Space Flower Show and retro new wave voice of Mcoy Fundales with the song “Salawikain” and the kick ass guitars and drums for “Tuloy ang Ikot Ng Mundo” by Dicta License, “Princesa” by Itchyworms and Armi Millare’s (of Up Dharma Down) cool vocals in “Kaibigan”.

Though Chris Padilla of Hilera’s vocals could have done a little bit more justice to the song “Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota Ng Iba”, I found the band’s overall rendition was good enough to merit doing a cover of one of my most favorite APO songs.

The Bloomfields’ “Love Is For Singing” was in a class of its own! This was a case of a perfect match between the band and the song. Apo’s original of this song wasn’t really part of the favorites’ list but the revival version sure is!

Apo Hiking Society.....in their senior years.....

...and still making good music together!

From a group originally called the Jose Rizal Bullet Proof Vest Company, Apo Hiking Society members Danny Javier, Boboy Garovillo and Jim Paredes have indeed gone a long, long way in providing direction and strength to what is now called as Original Pilipino Music or OPM. Furthermore, if this brand of home grown music as reenergized by today’s hottest and upcoming local bands can bring the young and the old to enjoy music together like it has for me and my kids, it’s something worth listening to and blogging about.

On your 38th year as the Apo Hiking Society, I salute you and everyone who had been part of your continuing musical legacy!

May you continue to create beautiful and inspiring music together!