Makes a trudge with 'Wala ko Magdahum'

Hailed as champion in the "Battle of Bands Showdown" spearheaded by Boss Grill along Mango Avenue in 2004 and adjudged again as champion in the "Upon this Rock" band competition at the Mandaue City Sports Complex last year, Stonestomp takes a galumph to win space over the airwaves via "Wala Ko Magdahum," one of four songs in their Extended Play album.

"Wala Ko Magdahum" was penned by lead guitarist Evert Sestoso. But he said that the experience embedded therein is actually based on the love life of vocalist Morris Aniñon. Evert internalized Morris' emotions, and thus came up with "Ako usa ka tambay nga nahigugma nimo inday kalami sa akong gibati nga kita nagkasinatiay/apan wala ko magdahum nga nabugnaw ka na karon/kalit lang nahanaw paglabay sa panahon."

This song has now received amounts of requests from listeners over 93.1 Smash FM's "YourVoice, YourChoice Tingog Kabataan" program after Stonestomp approached DJ Ram Dizon and submitted a sampler of three songs - "Tigpatuman," "Korikong" and "Wala Ko Magdahum."

Aside from Evert, Stonestomp is composed of Kenneth "K-Noy" Pacubas on rhythms guitar (IT student at Cebu Institute of Technology), Daryll Cerilla on drums (a student at Don Carlos Gothong Memorial High School), John Lester "Lepard" Pardillada on bass (Commerce, CIT) and Aniñon on vocals (Social Work, University of Southern Philippines). Evert is a graduate of Commerce studies at CIT and is working at ETJ Finance Corporation.

Stonestomp which means "to tread heavily" was originally formed during the guys' high school days in 1996. The original members are Mario Baculi (vocals/guitar), Evert (lead guitar), John (bass) and Eric Acebis (drums). The years that followed saw the joining in and the leaving out of band members for various reasons.

Today, Stonestomp kicks hard earth with "Tigpatuman" which is a collaboration of Evert and Morris, a look at the role of law enforcers in our society. Morris blares out: "Kita mo ba ang kasakit ug among mga singgit/ang pahiyum ug katawa luyo sa problema/singot ug dugo nga among gipuhonan/para sa kaugmaon imong giusikan. Tigpatuman sa kalinaw kanunay lang kaming naglantaw/Pasagdan bang mahanaw ang paglaum nga among gihandom. Asa ka karon o igsoon?/Naglibog ka ba ug nabalaka?/Kahadlok mo wagtanga/Ang kahayag imo rang Makita."

The gravity of the subject in the first track is toned down by the humorous atmosphere provided by the third track entitled "Korikong." Written by John "Lepard" Pardillada, the song tackles in a wacky but honest manner the predicament of those afflicted by this skin ailment that prevailed back in the early 80s: "Pagkapait sa akong pagkabutang/Puros katol ang kalawasan/Sige'g kutkot hangtod nga mawagtang/Lami'ng ibag-id sa kalibunan."

Mood swings back to melodramatic with fourth track "Samad" which is not included in the sampler, but which the group would want to promote. Morris writes his sentiment: "Kalipay mo nga makita/Ang dughan puno sa luha/ Ang saad nga nawala/Gi-ampo nga makuha/Ang samad nga imong gibilin/Sa dughan ko lisod wagtangon/Ang samad nga lisod ayuhon/Dalhon ko hangtod sa kamatayon."

Denying rumors he used to be an alleged critic of Bisrock music, Evert also explained to this writer that there is no truth to contentions that he's just riding the so-called bandwagon, as the Bisrock genre is tremendously picking up a following nowadays.

He pointed out that years back, the group already started writing Bisdak songs like "Selosa." However, this song, which was submitted to dyRT in the hope of getting airplay over the program dedicated to "Bisdak underground sounds," was left un-played.

He said, "Pagkatinood lang gyud, dako kaayo nang sayop moingon sila that after experimenting with music genres, I have jumped into the Bisrock bandwagon for its popular support kay diha na nang song namong 'Korikong' summer of 2005 pa. Depensahan lang nako ang attack batok nako na nanaway ko sa Bisrock music kay pagkatinood kon nanaway pa ko, wala ta ko nikanta aning line-up of songs namo ron."

Stonestomp has this list of shoutouts:

Daryll: Una sa tanan pasalamat ko sa Ginoo, sa akong mama, sister, uncle Eddie, uncles, aunties, sa akong mga manghod ug sa akong kauban sa banda, sa SAJP choir, neighbors, labi na sa mga boarders nga dapit sa amoa. Thank you Vann Aznar, Luv2x, sa tanan nga ni suporta namo ug palihug suportahi ninyo ang Bisrock!

Evert: Special thanks to our Creator, Reuel and Evangelene Sestoso for their support, my brothers and the Sestoso clan, my titos and titas, Edson and Kei Go, to DJ Ram and Bré Ambungan of Smash, Stanley, Randy, Jovel (former Stonestomp members). My loved ones Marian and Yanah, Vann Aznar of Urgello and Luv2x, my bandmates, all Bisrockers and Bisrock bands, and Eric Acebis. Please support Bisrock music by tuning in and by sending requests to Smash FM.

Kenneth: I would like to thank our Lord Jesus Christ, my mama and papa, mga igsoon ug sa ilang suporta, BUGS DBC, Sheena Dy, my very special friend, sa tanang taga Talisay ug sa taga Caimito, Mambaling, DJ Ram and Bré, and to all Bisrockers.

John Lester: First of all thanks to our God Almighty, sa akong ginikanan mama Seming ug papa Joel, sa Pardillada family, Pahayahay family, Sabado family, akong bandmates, sa SAJP choir, sa among former members Randy, Jovel ug Jay-jay, ni Luv2x ug ni Vann Aznar, my cousin Princess and Diovanni, ug ni Lesley Jane Unabia, mommy Zoila diha sa Aurora ug lola Lally, my wife Maricar May and my son Mike Andre.

Morris: Thanks to God, mama and papa, akong mga igsoon, Coatong boyz for their support, Khanor and Israel for my new hair, my bandmates, sa taga sitio Toong, Basak, San Nicolas; ug sa mga Bisrocker, mopalit sa among upcoming EP. Hello nilang Chokoi, Choi, Gerald ug Marvin, ug sa mga social work students of USP batch 2005-2006.

Band contact: 0918-4252988 (Evert) and 262-1283/0919-6423675 (Morris). Visit www.myspace.com/stonestomp