IT'S because of his humility and character that most people find him so attractive. In spite all the success and fame of the bands he plays in, 28-year-old Sandino "Tatot" Jabonete Libres has his feet firmly on the ground.
Tatot is a one of the guitarists and vocalists of Nairud and a vocalist of the Rise from Oblivion.
Nairud, formerly called Nairud sa Wadab (Durian sa Dabaw), started in 2010. It was one of the 12 finalists for the Mindanao Band Festival Song Writing Competition, organized by the Patrick Music Studio and 88.3 Energy FM Davao.
After Nairud placed second in AMA’s Battle of the Band in 2010, Tatot and the rest of its members — Andrian Cubillas, Earl Laga-ac, Nestor Caballes Jr. and Fidel Vargas — continued to meet, interact and perform in and outside the region.
Tatot describes Nairud as a reggae band formed out of friendship and consistent jams. Since then, it has been performing in bars and concert plug-ins delivering reggae renditions of mainstream hits as well as of their original compositions.
Inspired by their favorite artists such as Joey Ayala, Gary Granada, and the reggae icon Bob Marley, Nairud is a dynamic band that plays not only reggae but also alternative rock. They are more focused on the message of their songs.
Before the Nairud, Tatot said, there was Go for Devotion that broke into the Davao music scene in 2006 and later evolved as the metal powerhouse Rise from Oblivion.
Members of the Rise from Oblivion are Tatot, Gunny Libres, Jastee Wayne Trigo, Maxieray Moniza, and Ikuy de Leon. From post hardcore to metalcore and death metal, the band had a recording at the “Into Entropy Recordings” studio.
Sharing his talents and expertise in music with his bandmates to inspire and move people in their respective lives is a passion that Tatot did not expect will bear a fruit. For him, he was just playing his guitar and expressing his thoughts.
“The music that the Nairud has been playing is the positive side of me and with Rise from Oblivion is the negative side or representation of myself towards the circumstances in life. What I have achieved through these two bands helped nurture me as a better person. Di nako ma-imagine akong sarili na mag-hinilas. Daghan ta makaaway ana (I can't imagine myself becoming boastful. Being so will just create a lot of enemies),” Tatot said.
For Tatot, being talented and good at something is not enough. As an artist, he said, what matters most if being true to self and being humble as this will establish communication and build a strong relationship with others, whether the audience or fellow artists.
“It is about good manners and right conduct regardless what you have achieved in life. Keep your feet on the ground. Continue to connect with people. Grabe na ka toxic usahay sa palibot, di na nato dugang-dugangan pa (The world is toxic as it is, let's not add to the toxicity),” Tatot jested.
The songs composed and/or covered by the Nairud and Rise from Oblivion sends messages about progress, freedom, respect, and love. Its meaningful music is its way of contributing to help the society rise from violence and oppression.
Born on October 8, 1989 in Davao City from Jose Lito Libres and Joebeth Jabonete-Libres, Tatot got his degree on Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) from Philippine Women’s College (PWC).
Tatot won second place in the Association of Private and State Colleges and Universities in Region (APSCUR) 11, Culture and Arts Competition in 2018. He is also a member of Tonk Kwank Reggae Community.
Tatot said his interest in music started when he was in grade school and started playing the ukelele at third grade. His father is a guitarist/vocalist, while his mother was a soloist in Japan.
“I learned to play guitar through my father. It runs in the blood. My siblings do play musical instruments and sing, too. Kami tanan sa family. Usahay mahimo namo ni nga bonding sa family (The whole family is into music, it has often become our means to bond). I cannot imagine life without music,” he said.
But just like anyone else, Tatot also went through hardships. He had a baby at a young age and he stopped studying. Despite all the hardships and criticisms, he continued college and raise his child on his own.
“Grabe nga pagsulay sa kinabuhi (It was a major life challenge). But I am very fortunate and grateful with what I have gone through in life. It made me who I am today; and I am pleased to have this faith, deeper understanding and positive outlook in life,” Tatot said.
Aside from music, he spends time meditating. He wants to improve himself not only as a music artist, but also as a person. He plans to go into business while producing more albums.
For now, Tatot is savoring what he has. He has made peace with his past and is focused on his present and the future. Despite the hectic schedule, he sees to it that he have time for his loved ones’ and for himself.