|
Monday, September 20, 2004
Davao's own songs from 'Kaliweteng Gitarista'
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
MANY people did not only raise their eyebrows but even hairlines upon learning that the kaliweteng gitarista (left-handed guitarist) of Davao City was coming out with an album again.
Some even said that Popong Landero, a reggae and cultural artist based in the city, is just so bland. They said that Popong is like vanilla. Tasteless. Boring. Ever expected.
But of course Popong knows that he could not please everyone but his own kind of followers who were not at all bored when he launched his latest album at the Matina Town Square's Kampo Bar in time for the celebration of Davao's annual Kadayawan Festival. They were the environmentalists, peace workers and advocates, leftists, feminists, human rights workers, students and some foreigners. They were those who worshipped his music. Making every lyrics of the songs like a part of themselves. Their own.
In fact, his followers were begging for more from Popong who performed some of his signature songs--originals and covers of international artists Bob Marley and Sting.
And as if the crowd was not enough to say that Popong was more than above the mediocre line, a local journalist confessed just how she was moved by the 11 songs in Popong's latest album called Bahaghari Tayo (We are a rainbow).
Bahaghari Tayo contains songs that Popong considers "very Davao" as it illustrates to the listeners the colors and various flavors of Davao as a region complete with multi-cultural dressing and filling.
Bahaghari Tayo, also the title of his single, which won the grand prize of Huni sa Davao (Davao's sound) Theme Song Writing Competition 2004, was inspired by the admirable and encouraging strength as what Dabawenyos had shown after the Davao airport and wharf bombings.
"After the bombings, I was inspired to write the song but in a very positive way. I was thinking of a song to uplift the spirits of the people," Popong said.
The usual tendency of the people faced by a challenging situation is to lose hope and Bahaghari Tayo urges the listeners to be united like a rainbow and be free from the knots of the distressing and horrible situation.
"It was one of the saddest experiences of Davao and it almost stopped all of us from living. Bahaghari Tayo's message is that life has to go on no matter how hard and difficult the obstacles are. Life's like that and we should not be defeated by the obstacles," Popong said.
"The more we unite forces and spirits the more that we can hurdle the trials and of course the more that we become successful... and we can fight as one, shine as one, live life as one like a rainbow," Popong added.
Popong, an engineering graduate, was also the co-founder of the music group Masang Himig. In 1978, his first single "Kaliweteng Gitarista" hit the airwaves here. Popong also founded the Prisoners of the Worldbank (POW) and was also one of the original members of Bagong Lumad.
In 2000, he founded his own band Popong Landero Org (PLO), whose music is drawn from folk, ethnic, rock, and reggae influences.
Popong's previous albums include Ayayayayay (1987), Laylay sa Sidlakan (1993), Kamay Ni Laan (1996), Impact 2000 (1998) and Seleksyon (2002). Bahaghari Tayo is Popong's 6th album. For his followers and some friends, Popong's songs evolved around the circles and somehow the texture changed tremendously throughout the years. His songs for the last two years, a fan said, became a little noisy and more denser that before.
"I can feel that Popong's music changed a lot. The messages are clearer and easier to grasp now than before. I can sense more soul and spirit," the fan said. Other songs included in the album are Awit sa Gugma (Love Song), used during the Hiyas sa Kadayawan Finals in 2000; Tayo'y Dabawenyo, the official hymn of Davao City government, and Duyan, Duyan Ilog-Davao, a song about Davao River conservation.
The album, recorded at the Polyfusion Recording Studio, is under the Dinabaw Music Series label.
(September 20, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
