Monday, October 13, 2008 Bayang as herself By Stella A. Estremera
AMID the festivities and parties of Kadayawan sa Dabaw last August, a rapt audience sat, caught between cheering and just listening as Mindanao music artist Bayang Barrios sang, played, and took center stage in the launching of her new album "Biyaya".
It has been some time now since Bayang has gathered her audience here, but that night's performance showed that she's still the Bayang many a Davao music artist-wannabe had wanted to emulate.
Her music tours you through all kinds of emotions, from anger, to joy, to a broken heart, and a concern for the future generation without the shrill "birit" that has become today's warped standard of "excellent" singing.
Her lyrics will make you ponder.
"Hindi ba dapat simple ang buhay bakit parang hindi ako masanay magmahal ng nagmamahal sa akin... umibig ng kaya akong ibigin at magmahal ng marunong magmahal..." (ang susi ng puso)
Her rhythm... a statement from a woman who has found her soul as an artist from Mindanao as she chants "Biyaya" amid the sound of a rainmaker, before segueing into a syncopated jazz, folk, rock rhythm of mixed Tagalog and Bisaya...is very Mindanao.
"Sa pagsubang sa adlaw, manglihok na kita, ang bag-ong panahon niabot na... pagdayeg og pasalamat sa hanging kay sigla, ang ganda ng buhay sabayan na..." (Biyaya)
Bayang's latest album showcases once again her playful and yet soulful and intense musicality with 14 tracks that make the listener sit up, listen, dance, and then slide back down to lounge and appreciate as you envision a better vision of tomorrow.
"Gaano man kabigat ang dinadala, gaano man kahirap ang dinarama sa buhay mo, kaibigan ko... walang pasanin na hindi gumagaan, walang pagsubok na hindi nalalampasan... May bagong umagang parating..." (May Bagong Umaga)
