Music that Enriches from 'Mandiriwa' Joey Ayala

TICKETS to concerts of famous, foreign musical acts are pricey (if not overpriced) for many reasons. There's the grand stage set-up with pyrotechnics and lighting effects, the different costume changes, the many back-up dancers/singers, the state-of-the-art musical instruments and sound engineers, and all the other logistics. Most importantly, there's the much-awaited idols, like Madonna, Coldplay, Britney Spears, Chris Botti and Sting, etc. All had VIP tickets ranging from P20,000 to P60,000.

This is the formula of a sold-out and entertaining concert in westernized, colonized Philippines.

But what about a concert in an intimate venue where guests can cozily enjoy music (while sipping beer, yeah). A concert stripped down of all elaborate designs, props and back-ups. A concert featuring ethnic instruments that are part of our culture. A concert revealing our identity as Filipinos through indigenous music and ingenious lyrics.

This, on the other hand, is the formula of Joey Ayala's "Mandiriwa" concert held last September 18 at the Music Museum.

Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad composed of percussionist and vocalists Malou Matute and Tapati, drummer Rene “Chong” Tengasantos, and bassist and vocalist Onie Badiang. 

This author got to experience it for P1,900—a price so small if compared to the enrichment, and yes of course entertainment, that the concert offered. Produced by Vandals on the Wall and Gabi na Naman Productions, the concert also featured Ayala's original group Ang Bagong Lumad composed of percussionist and vocalists Malou Matute and Tapati, drummer Rene “Chong” Tengasantos, and bassist and vocalist Onie Badiang, as well as guest performers Bayang Barrios, Gloc-9, Dong Abay, Bullet Dumas and Juan Miguel Severo.

With Bayang Barrios, an original member of Ang Bagong Lumad.

Considered as a living legend in the Philippine music industry, Ayala proved this in more ways than one.

In Billboard.ph concert review, editor Francis Reyes explained it best, "The public at large knows him mostly for being an ‘environmental ethnic folk’ artist embodied in the reggae-flavored 'Karaniwang Tao,' the dramatic 'Agila,' the dark propulsive-hegalong-driven 'Ania Na,' and the heart-wrenching 'Walang Hanggang Paalam' and 'Dumaan Ako,' but as his fans know well, his stylistic range also authoritatively includes jazz ('Maglakad'), and rock’n’roll ('Barangay Kombo' and 'Padayon')."

Said songs, along with other originals by Ang Bagong Lumad and duets/collaborations with the guests, were rendered masterfully live for the night. With close to 20 titles performed, the concert encompassed Ayala's two-decade career as an artist.

He said it was 25 years ago when Ang Bagong Lumad debuted at the very same venue barefoot. That night, they wore shoes. No wonder the rapport between him and the four band members—five if we add fellow original member Barrios whose participation kept extending—was undeniable.

Performing "Pasasalamat" with Bullet Dumas.

If rapport described Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad, respect, on the other hand, defined his performances with the guests. First up was Dumas who chose to do a duet "Pasasalamat" with Ayala instead of singing his own. Then came Gloc-9 who was praised by Ayala for his proficiency in Filipino language. He rapped to the tune Ayala's "Ania Na."

Severo, a popular spoken word artist, made a loud and vivid statement with his newly penned poem, "Poot." Provoked by the current extra-judicial killings in the country, the spoken word performance was accompanied with Ayala’s "Ikaw na ang May Baril," coincidentally, composed during Martial Law.

Finally, Dong Abay, former frontman of Yano, performed in his usual gait, "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo." Visual artist Boy Dominguez, also appeared on stage to lend his talent on the harmonica.

As for the Mandiriwa (from the root word diwa or consciousness) himself, Ayala made the concert more meaningful with his wealth of wisdom. In between numbers, he shared the stories of his songs, often relating them to present times but ever so careful about making politically incorrect jokes. (Ayala grew up in Duterte-strong Davao.)

He asked the audience if they believe in climate change, noting “If you look up, you will know what is beneath you.” Say, if there are no more Philippine Eagles on the sky, then there are no more forests in the mountains.

On faith, he contemplated that "God is everything, (yet) God is nothing." On passion, he encouraged everyone to do what they enjoy (not the other way around), and if lucky enough, earn from it like he does. On nationhood, he went on to promote a nation of play. 

"Joey Ayala, for President!" he humored everyone who very well knew that he's much better enriching Filipinos through music.

Respect! After a collaboration with Gloc-9.

Spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo debuts his new poem "Poot" at the concert.

Two legends in one stage, Dong Abay and Joey Ayala.

Guess what, they obliged the audience and performed two more songs.  

A Taste of Sweet Success at Don Papa Rum’s ‘Sugarlandia’

A PROUDLY Filipino alcohol label, Don Papa Rum marked its fifth anniversary this September by paying homage to its roots, the Island of Negros.

It was a fitting celebration to the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines indeed as Pineapple Lab was transformed into a festive Sugarlandia. It was also a taste of sweet success for Don Papa Rum, which is not only available here in the country but also in 21 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and South Africa.

Here’s the many happening as guests immersed in a world of flavors, aromas, sights, sounds, and movements of Sugarlandia:

First, guests were transformed into creatures of Sugarlandia through a mask making activity as they personalized and embellished masks that represent Sugarlandia fauna.

The mask-making activity unleashed everyone’s creativity.

This transformation was forged by “The Ritual,” a drink for the wholeheartedly independent curated by the Don Papa mixologists, Enzo Lim and Kathryn Eckstein. These libations left guests with the rich taste of Sugarlandia.

Don Papa Rum mixologists Enzo Lim and Kathryn Eckstein.

The movement of Sugarlandia was expressed by the dance performances of Fundacion Central Flamenco, inspired by the animals and creatures found from within the land. The sounds were provided by the performances of one-man-band Hoochie Coochie Mikkie and Mario Serrano.

Performances by Fundacion Central Flamenco, Hoochie Coochie Mikkie and Mario Serrano.

Don Papa paid tribute to the winners and finalists of the Don Papa Art Competition featured in a wall of fame exhibition.

Works of winning artists are featured at the event.

Whilst the Don Papa tree is an interactive installation symbolizing continuous growth and expansion while remaining rooted to its origins

The Don Papa tree.

“We are quite happy with all the support and enthusiasm Don Papa has received since we launched in 2012. We are grateful for all the attention that has been given to the brand. The introduction of Sugarlandia is meant to give our followers, old and new, a richer brand experience to drink in.” said Stephen Carroll, founder of Chat Noir Co. Inc. makers of Don Papa Rum.

Stephen Carroll, founder of Chat Noir Co. Inc. makers of Don Papa Rum.

The event concluded with the announcement of their upcoming initiatives for rest the year. Among the exciting events is the release of Don Papa Rum’s latest offering, the Rare Cask and the 3rd Annual Don Papa Art Competition 2017. Alongside these initiatives is the first ever Don Papa Cocktail Competition in the Philippines.

Guests have two new special gift packs and the Don Papa 10-year-old for the holidays.

Named after Negro's revolutionary and sugarcane farmer in the Spanish era,
the spirit of Don Papa Isio lives. 

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©DON PAPA RUM)

Named after a Desaparecido, New CCP Festival Brings Issues of Today to Stage

'Bata, Banta, Bantay, Tayo, Tayog, Bantayog' by the PHSA Student Ensemble

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has staged Pista Rizalina, its newest arts festival tackling current social, political and cultural issues. 

Ongoing until September 24 at CCP’s different venues namely Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater), Bulwagang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater) and the Manila Film Center, read more about it below:

“Billed Pista Rizalina: A Festival of Arts and Ideas, the event selects a particular artistic expression as the main platform and engages it with a topic of urgency, relevance or potentially high engagement with the public.  Possible intersections are explored such as theater and empathy (pagmamalasakit), contemporary music and gender equality, dance and social media, digital arts and truth telling, among other aspects. Pista Rizalina brings together artists and thought leaders in conversation with the public to map out the terrain of issues and stimulate a public discourse in the most participative, accessible and creative way.

The festival is named after Rizalina Ilagan, a young activist who was arrested by unidentified men in July 1977 during the Marcos regime. Pista Rizalina aims to call attention to the universal, collective trauma brought about by arbitrary arrest, disappearance and the negation of rights.

Likewise, the Pista is a platform to highlight the current administration’s national policy of developing the cultural value of “pagmamalasakit”, or empathy, (Ambisyon 2020, Philippine Development Plan). It hopes to break the silence and fear surrounding enforced disappearances and the violation of rights. It attempts to rekindle the stories of those traumatized by political repression and engage these issues with next generation audiences to recuperate what has been lost/disappeared.

Besides engaging the theater arts as a platform with issues concerning human rights and empathy, it also features a Festival of Art Works, Public Conversation, Interactive exhibit and Flash performances.  Other events include a guest kulintangan ensemble and the Aga Mayo Butocan, master kulintang player, to name some.

National Artsit for Visual Arts F. Sionil Jose's 'Pragres' will be directed by JK Anicoche and will feature the PHSA Student Ensemble

Nine plays will be presented at Pista Rizalina. These are National Artist for Visual Arts F. Sionil Jose’s “Pragres” directed by JK Anicoche and featuring the PHSA Student Ensemble, Ruel Aguila’s “Maliw” directed by Chris Millado with Bembol Roco, Sheryl Lara, and Lhorvie Nuevo, Nicolas Pichay’s “Isang Araw sa Karnabal” directed by Chris Millado with Paolo O’Hara, Skyzx Labastilla and Lhorvie Nuevo, Juana Change’s “Tao Po” directed by Ed Lacson, Jr. featuring Mae Paner, Rody Vera’s “Indigo Child” directed by Jose Estrella featuring Skyzx Labastilla, Chris Millado’s “Buwan at Baril in EÞ Major” directed by Andoy Ranay featuring JC Santos and Angeli Bayani, Bonifacio Ilagan’s “Pagsambang Bayan The Musical” directed by Joel Lamangan, Nicanor Tiongson’s “Aurelio Sedisyoso” (a season production of Tanghalang Pilipino), and “Bata, Banta, Bantay, Tayo, Tayog, Bantayog” by the PHSA Student Ensemble.

Other activities expected are a live streaming of the community reenactment of the Escalante Massacre to be mounted by the Escalante community and the Negros Theater League, Film Screenings of Aureaus Solito’s “Pisay”, Joel Lamangan’s “Sigwa”, Chito Roño's "Dekada ‘70", Mike de Leon's "Sister Stella L.", Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil's "Indigo Child", the GMA documentaries entitled “Busal”, “Alaala” and “Ilaw ng Marawi”; Livestream Talkbacks with the playwrights, directors, cast of the plays, thought leaders and audiences as well as with directors, writers and cast of the films.”

'Aurelio Sedisyoso,' a season production of Tanghalang Pilipino)

Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets. For more information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3706.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCP)

VIRTUAL TOUR: Beautiful, Mystical Mount Makiling

Photo Courtesy of Alex Delos Santos

STRADDLING the provinces of Laguna and Batangas, Mt. Makiling is among the most renowned mountains of Luzon because of its unspoiled beauty—believed to be protected by its deity, Maria Makiling. 

The folklore of the Diwata of Makiling has been passed from generations upon generations of Filipino families. Even our National Hero Jose Rizal, who was born in Laguna province, penned a story about Maria, a most beautiful maiden to have set foot on earth.

Mt. Makiling is thus filled with tales of encounters with Maria. It is told that she appears before those with a golden heart, or sometimes, playfully teases those who does not believe in her. It is also believed that she unleashes fury through storms to those who dare harm her mountain its natural inhabitants.

In real life, Mt. Makiling is a protected Forest Reserve and an Asean Heritage Park spanning 4,244 hectares. It is under the jurisdiction of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, and is managed by Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME). Through MCME, research, conservation and sustainable efforts are enacted in the forest reserve.

Mt. Makiling is shrouded with both mysticism and natural beauty

All this has shrouded the mountain with both mysticism and natural beauty, enchanting veteran mountaineers and newbie outdoor enthusiasts alike. Without doubt, Mt. Makiling has become one of Southern Luzon's most hiked mountains.

But do not underestimate the mountain. Towering at 1,090 meters above sea level (MASL), it is classified as major hike with difficulty rating of 5/9, particularly the traverse from Sto. Tomas in Batangas to Los Baños in Laguna. Dubbed Maktrav (Makiling traverse), the trail was established as early as the 1990s. And according to veteran climbers, Maktrav was originally 7/9 but after decades of climbing, it has gotten actually easier.

This author contests this because in August, Traveling Journo Ph together with my outdoor and outreach group Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Ph Mountaineers held a fundraising climb at Mt. Makiling. And the mountain is no easy feat especially to amateur and newbie hikers.

To give you vivid details, here is a virtual tour of the beautiful and mystical Mt. Makiling:

RAK at the jump-off point in Sitio Jordan in Brgy. San Miguel where we register and meet with our accredited guides. 

Since the mountain is covered by a rainforest, it is infested with blood-sucking leeches called "limatik" in the local dialect. 

Mt. Makiling will begin easy for warm up until you are met with slopes, which will get more and more frequent throughout the climb. 

Get tangled as roots and branches are strewn all over. 

And on we trudge. 

Mushrooms in different sizes, forms and colors abound the mountain. 

Proper phasing that's fit for the entire group and rest stops are important to maintain everyone's energy throughout the hike. 

You know it's getting higher. 

We were able to take advantage of this majestic balete before rains started falling down.  

Somewhere along the trail a marker indicates your exact location and elevation. 

Just before Melkas Ridge, an opening in the trail will show this canopy with a fallen tree resulting to this almost heart-shaped looking whole. 

Gearing for Melkas Ridge. Some of our members are brave enough to sit on a rock on the edge of the cliff. But just look at that view? Shows how thickly forested Mt. Makiling still is. The gloomy day's clouds add a mystifying effect.   

The much-awaited Haring Bato of Melkas Ridge, which presents hikers
with rope segments and metal ladders on steep portions. 

The topmost part of the ridge is so beautiful you'll wish it's the summit already. But not yet. 

We return inside the mountain and are greeted with a mossy forest. It was green everywhere. 

Even the topmost branches are reached by ferns covering the canopy even more. 

Finally it's summit--without view but we make do. After all, we summitted! Photo ops for the record! 

We start descent without choice and it got more muddy and slippery. I had stowed my camera by then because this author is more challenged going down than up. Haha! 

You'll know you've gotten closer the base when the soil and the fauna get drier. The Agila Base has not been photographed by our entire group because we busied ourselves resting and munching on merienda. We need the refreshments and rest because we were to hit kilometers more of pavement. 

The long road to the University of the Philippines-Los Banos exit (or jump-off point if you won't traverse). We were exhausted at this point but we did not take the available habal (motorbike) rides offered by locals because! Just because. We were rewarded with interesting views of century old and massive trees, the rainbow tree (which were not so colorful that time), and the Laguna Bay. 

TJPh lauds RAK for this successful fundraising hike, which was led by some veteran members of the group as well as the amateur ones. Extra kudos goes to the participants who embarked on their first-ever major climb at Mt. Makiling. Together, we hiked as one.

So are you excited to discover Mt. Makiling yourself?

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ/ ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ©ALEX DELOS SANTOS)

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