Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Sampaguita the "Queen of Rock & Roll"



SAMPAGUITA IS A CONTINUING SAGA..ALWAYS UNFOLDING. BORN IN JAVA, INDONESIA ON THE 17TH DAY OF 7TH MONTH, THE SEVENTH CHILD IN A BROAD OF SEVEN, SHE COMES TO THESE SHORE WHEN SHE WAS SIX. SHE GREW UP IN THE TUMULTUOUS 60'S AND 70'S. A TIME WHEN THE WORLD SAW THE DAWNING OF A GENERATION WHERE EXPERIMENTATION, ESPECIALLY IN LIFESTYLE AND MUSIC, WAS THE IDEAL.

LIKE ANYONE FROM HER GENERATION, MUSIC TOUCHED THE VARIOUS KEYS IN THE TUNES OF HER LIFE. HOWEVER, SHE PROVED SPECIAL. HER EXOTIC GOOD LOOKS AND INDIVIDUALISM UNWITTINGLY LED HER INTO CIRCLES THAT ENHANCED HER NATURAL ARTISTICS TENDENCIES. SHE WAS A REGULAR TALENT IN THE POPULAR DANCE SHOW "DANCE TIME WITH CHITO" AND ONE OF THE LEAD DANCERS IN ANOTHER SHOW CALLED THE "NINETEENERS". AS A MODEL SHE HAD DONNED OUTFITS FOR THE THEN FIRST LADY IMELDA MARCOS ' BAGONG ANYO PROJECT AND VARIOUS OTHER LOCAL DESIGNERS. AS AN ACTRESS, SHE HAD APPEARED ONSTAGE AS ONE OF THE LEADS FOR THE FIRST PINOY ROCK OPERA TITLED "MAHAL".

THE MAGNETIC PERSONALITY AND INIMITABLE TALENT OF THE PRODIGIOUS YOUTH, AMAZED MAVERICK PRODUCER NILO L. SANTOS OF NILSON PRODUCTIONS WHO THOUGHT IT INTERESTING TO HAVE HER RECORD AN ALBUM. IT TOOK CONSIDERABLE TIME AND TENACITY TO CONVINCE THE RELUCTANT YOUNG WOMAN, BUT AS FATE WOULD HAVE IT ,SAMPAGUITA, THE "ROCKER " WAS DESTINED TO BLOOM.

BY THIS TIME THE PIONEERING EFFORTS OF ROCK STATION DZRJFM TO REV UP THE LOCAL ROCK SCENE WAS CLIMBING TO AN IMMINENT REALIZATION. SAMPAGUITA OF COURSE, LED THE FRAY, EARNING THE CRITICS' NOD IN HER FIRST EVER PERFORMANCE -- ON OPENING SLOT IN A CONCERT TITLED, " NEW MOON ROCK CONCERT". THIS LED TO THE EVENTUAL PAIRING WITH TALENTED GUITARIST-SONGWRITER GARY PEREZ OF THE ROCK BAND ANAK BAYAN. THEIR FIRST HIT, THE CELEBRATORY "BONGAHAN", BECAME HER SIGNATURE PIECE. SOON THE PARTNERSHIP BORE MORE HITS LIKE, " TAO" , "LAGUNA", SAYAWAN", "SA DIYOS LAMANG",... ALL OF WHICH BECAME ANTHEMS FOR THEIR GENERATION.

HER COLORFUL ATTIRE, WHICH BLENDED PSYCHEDELIC AESTHETICS WITH "ROCK AND ROLL" THEATRICS, BROUGHT GLAMOUR TO THE PINOY ROCKERS SCENE. IN FACT, IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MORE VIVID IMAGES OF 70'S PINOY POP CULTURE. AS HERE FAME GREW, THE DEMAND TO SEE HER PERFORM WAS AMPLIFIED. SHE WAS THE CHOICE OPENER FOR INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS WHO CAME TO VISIT THE COUNTRY. THESE INCLUDE, TO NAME A FEW, CHUCK BERRY,BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS,PAUL WILLIAMS, ERIC CLAPTON AND CANNED HEAT. HER ARDUOUS THREE- YEAR STINT AT THE LEGENDARY 100% ROCK CLUB IN SUBIC NAVAL BASE, OLONGAPO PERFORMING FOR AMERICAN SERVICE MEN, FURTHER FORTIFIED HER ROCK QUEEN PERSONA THAT, AFTER THREE DECADES STILL REMAINS.

AFTER A SELF-IMPOSED HIBERNATION, SAMPAGUITA CAME OUT STRONGLY AGAIN IN 1989 WITH AN EXPECTED HIT "NOSI BA LASI". ONCE SHE WAS ASKED WHY THERE WAS SUCH A LONG GAP BETWEEN HER ALBUMS, AND SAM'S REPLY WAS SIMPLE; "TO DO AN ALBUM JUST TO REMAIN IN THE SCENE IS NOT MY STYLE. IT IS AN ART FORM AND INSPIRATIONS DON'T COME EASY. FOR ME A SONG WITHOUT A MESSAGE IS JUST "SOUND", JUST LIKE A FLOWER WITH NO SCENT." CURRENTLY SHE IS QUITE CONTENT BEING A MOTHER TO HER THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN..DOLLY, COWBOY AND JACINTA. SHE IS ALSO INTO POTTERY , PAINTING AND A LOT OF OTHER HOBBIES AND CRAFTS. AT THE MOMENT , HER MUSICAL LEGACY IS NOW CARRIED ON THROUGH HER SON COWBOY, A GUITARIST OF INTEREST WHO IS WOWING AUDIENCES ON THE CURRENTLY PINOY ROCK SCENE.

SAMPAGUITA'S CONTRIBUTION TO FILIPINO MUSIC INDUSTRY'S LAVISH TAPESTRY AND PINOY ROCK IN PARTICULAR IS ONE TO BE CHERISHED. SHE IS AN ICON AND A VERITABLE PILLAR THAT THE CURRENT BREED OF MUSICIANS CONTINUES TO LOOK UP TO. AND RIGHTLY SO, FOR PINOY WILL NOT BE WHAT WE KNOW AND ENJOY IT TO BE, HAD SAMPAGUITA NOT TAKEN HER BIRTHRIGHT AS THE ONE AND ONLY "QUEEN OF PINOY ROCK AND ROLL" (this info from her Sampaguita Greatest hits cd ).



ALBUM REVIEW (Manila Times) March 2008

Bagong Banda . . . Awit ni Sampaguita


COMPILATION albums abound: from tributes to the APO Hiking Society and the Eraserheads to the just-released guitar album of various artists. With the local rock scene in full bloom, these collaborative efforts give reason for today’s rockers to learn, pay tribute and interact with their mentors. And besides, it’s a chance for up-and-coming bands to work with their more famous peers and perhaps create a hit song with a remake of a well-loved classic.

Bagong Banda . . . Awit ni Sampaguita features Session Road, Paramita, Sugar Hiccup, Zelle, Fuseboxx, The Amanda, Cherry Cornflakes, Childstar, Chubibo, Paraluman and Rockaby singing classics such as “Tao,” “Laguna,” “Bonggahan,” “Nosi Balasi” and many others.

Bagong Banda . . . Awit ni Sampaguita, released by Ballyhoo records, was created with the full consent and approval of Sampaguita herself. It’s quite the opposite of the recent cover album by Bamboo, We Stand Alone Together, which created much controversy with its unauthorized and uncredited remake of “Probinsyana,” an original composition of the late Edmund Fortuno, legendary drummer of Anak Bayan. With Sampaguita, the young artists not only pay their dues; they win her approval.

But because Sampaguita had the final say on what versions would make the cut (and perhaps because she was too precious with her work), the entire album carefully adheres to the original 1970s classic Pinoy rock sound Sampaguita was known for. As they say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But you won’t find the tantalizing experimentations such as those in the Kami nAPO Muna album where artists reinterpreted the original pop sound into thrash metal, jazz, rock or reggae. What the Sampaguita tribute album captures is the essence of 1970s jeprox rock. Sige lang, babe.

Listening to Session Road rock “Nosi Balasi,” you know they’ve been covering the song long before the idea for this album came about. Paramita, better known for sophisticated angst, shines with a balls-out cover of “Bonggahan.” Fuseboxx transforms “Easy Pare” into progressive rock. Sugar Hiccup shines with soaring vocals and violins in their rendition of the sublime “Tao.”

Buy Bagong Banda . . . Awit ni Sampaguita. Let it be your introduction into 1970s classic Pinoy rock. Then buy the originals of Sampaguita, Juan dela Cruz, and Asin.
--Rome Jorge

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Joey Ayala 16 Love songs.


Habang pinapakingan ko ang ang album Ni Joey Ayala 16 love songs. Hindi maiwasan na ihambing ang dating nakasanayan ng mga tao na tunog ni Joey Ayala At ang Bagong Lumad sa ngayon na solo artist na siya. Me kaibahan man pero andoon pa rin ang tunog na masasabi mong ito si Joey Ayala. Napakaganda ng mga awitin at makahulugan ang mga mensahe ng bawat kanta sa album na ito na tungkol sa pag-ibig. Maraming artist na tumulong at nagbigay ng kanilang talento na lalong nagpaganda sa kabuuan ng album . Isa na rito si Onie Badiang veteran Bagong Lumad, on bass,Multi talented Cynthia Alexander Ayala - na kapatid ni Joey. Francis Reyes ( the Dawn)sa gitara, Rene "chong" Tengasantos, Drummer ng bayan, George Benetiz, Ronnie Quesada at iba pa. Sa mga fans na gustong bumili ng luma at bagong cd just click the official website.

Note; Bagong lumad Bayang Barrios solo Artist, Onie badiang ka launch lang ng unang album at ang drummer si Noe Tio ay sumakabilang buhay noong Pebrero 9, 2008.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

PAYO LAMANG

Note: This was written year 1994.

Ang tao nga naman
Pag nasa kasikatan
Nalimutan na ang pinangalingan
Pati kaibigan, kahit sino inaapakan

Ito'y payo lamang
Bumaba ka sa kinalalagyan
Lahat ng bagay ay may hanganan
Ang pagsisi ay nasa hulihan

Kaibigan ito'y tandaan
Pagkakataon ay alagaan
Minsan lang ito dadaan
Huwag maging /masyadong mayabang

Maganda ang buhay
huwag bayaang mawalay
Dahil lamang sa tinatamasang tagumpay

Kaibigan ito'y tandaan
Kahit magandang bagay
Pag somusobra
Ay magiging masama

Materyal at salapi
Ay madaling hanapin
Nguni't ang karangalan
Ay hindi kayang bilhin

Kaibigan ito'y payo lamang.

Monday, August 18, 2008

HINAING NG KATUTUBO (DATU IMBA 1993)

MINSAN AY HINDI KO MAUBOS MAISIP
KAHIT ANDITO KA SA SARILING BAYAN
KAHIT IKAW AY ISANG KATUTUBO
ANG TURING AY ESTANGHERO/IBANG TAO

KAHIT NA IKAW ANG NAGMAMAY-ARI
NG LUPANG MINANA PA SA MGA NINUNO
AY BASTA NA LANG LAPASTANGANIN
NG MGA TAONG MAPAGSAMANTALA

BAKIT? TANONG NAMING KATUTUBO
TANONG NA MATAGAL NA
TANONG NA NAGHAHANAP NG KASAGUTAN
BAKIT? TANONG NAMING KATUTUBO
TANONG NA MADALI KUNG PAPANSININ LAMANG

KUNG SINO PA ANG MAY YAMAN AT KAALAMAN
SILA PA ANG SAKIM/GANID
SINSAMANTALA ANG PAGIGING MANGMANG
ANG PAGIGING KATUTUBO
AT ANG WALANG SAPAT NA KAKAYAHAN
UPANG IPAGLABAN ANG KARAPATAN

IILAN LANG KAMING LAHI
NA NAMUMUHAY NG SARILING AMIN
NA MALAYO SA KABIHASNAN
NA NAG-AALAGA NG KALIKASAN

NGUNT'T PILIT NA WINAWASAK
NG MGA TAONG WALANG PAKUNDANGAN
PILIT NA INAABOT NG MGA TAONG
PURO PAGPAPAYAMAN ANG ALAM.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Pinoy Rock Music and Youtube....

When Youtube started a few years ago, I did not pay attention even though everybody was talking about it. The reason for not doing it is because of my being so negative about showing your private life to millions of viewers. Little did I know that there was a lot of opportunities that I missed. So, I decided to give it a try. I started uploading Classic Filipino Folk/Rock Music. My collections of songs and albums are from different artist and bands. I am amazed with the positive reactions of Filipinos from all walks of life all over the globe. People started to request songs, some even so overwhelmed that it makes them cry, for several reasons, songs that they grew up with, songs that remind them of their loved ones, songs that their parents used to listen that they can now appreciate after all those years etc. What surprised me is the respond from the young, new generations, their appreciation of the Classic Filipino(pinoy) Folk/Rock Music. Now I am hooked on it, it's like 24/7 for me. Not bad after all. Thanks to "YOUTUBE" people have the chance to listen to their all time favorite music from all over the world just a click away.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Coritha, Sampaguita and the rest of Filipino folk/rock musicians.


A lot of fans have been asking where is Coritha? Is she going to make music like she used to? Coritha singer/songwriter,the voice behind the popular hit songs like, Si Lolo Jose who is based on the life of real Lolo Jose, Sierra Madre, Oras Na, just to name a few.
How about Sampaguita the queen of Rock & Roll? Fans are hungry to hear the sounds and music that became part of their lives.
Nonoy Pillora Jr. the barritone voice of Grupong ASIN. It's been years that we didn't hear any news from him after Cesar "Saro" Banares died. Although , Lolita Carbon and Pendong Aban still active making music.But Nonoy has just faded in the limelight. The faithful fans are hoping that someday they will be together again and continue to write and make music.
Until now, like the rest of our very own Pinoy Musikero they are still inspiring a lot of Filipinos all over the world. What surprised me is the young generations who learned to appreciate this kind of music, not only the sounds but the message of the song.
I am not a good writer, I am trying to make this as simple as my mind and heart dictates. I want to share this with all Pinoy fans that these great musicians are still making music, live and breath music in different ways with their own perspective.

I gathered some of these links and official websites for all the fans of Filipino Classic Pinoy Folk/Rock Music. (I couldn't find any links or info for Resty Fabunan, Maria Cafra or Florante.) Ipagpatuloy po natin ang pagtangkilik sa sariling Musika.

Official Google Reader Blog: Brand new Google Reader for iPhone

Official Google Reader Blog: Brand new Google Reader for iPhone

Saturday, January 5, 2008

'YAN ANG PILIPINO

Note: I wrote this as I was inspired while traveling from different countries. Given a chance that we are indeed good and full of talents, that poverty is not a hindrance.

Sa aking paglalakbay.
Sa Iba't ibang sulok ng mundo
Iba't ibang tao ang nakikilala ko
Nakikita ko ang kaibahan nating Pilipino

Kahit anong trabaho ay sinasabak
Kahit anong hirap ay hinaharap
Pag nagka-ipon ipon
Ugaling Pilipino ay iyong mahahanap

Tawanan, Kuwentuhan
Malimutan na ang problema
Kahit anong tribu, basta Pilipino
Tsismisan, kumustahan
Kahit hindi magkakilala
Kahit saang bansa
'Yan ang Pilipino, 'Yan ang Pilipino

Pagdating sa musika
Tayo ang nagunguna
Amerika,Europa ,Gitnang Silangan, Asya at iba pa
(Ang) Pilipino ay iyong makikita

Tayo ay mayroong angking talino
Kahit anong laro hindi sumusuko
Kahit saang dako hindi patatalo
'Yan ang Pilipino, 'Yan ang Pilipino


Kahit gaano kabigat ang dinadala
Makuha pa ring tumawa at makisaya
Basta't magkasama, kahit hindi magkakilala
Basta't magkasama, kahit hindi magkapamilya
'Yan ang Pilipino, hindi maipagkaila

Pag may nangangailangan
Kahit nasa malayo tayo'y maaasahan
'Yan ang bayanihan
"Yan ang Pilipino, kahit saan