The bagsakan center of buwad mangsi, buwad pinikas, buwad lawlaw, buwad potpot is a living testimony of the bounty of our seas and a reminder that the One God has incessantly sustained these waters. And that these seas have religiously respected needs to appease hunger pangs even by those who have spilled sludge all over them.
Thoughts deemed unfathomable for scriptural undertones were expressed in layman's terms in the "Buwad" song that took the air lanes; its theme on Christian living went past some church gate and took the mainstream.
The saline smell of Buwad whiffed all over the metropolis, and so it came to pass that the song became an anthem of the highly marginalized, those who could afford buwad only on their meal tables - buntag, udto, inig kahapon magsige la'g buwad.
Little did everyone know that the song was not just written to amuse listeners. "Buwad" is a song of thanksgiving to the Supreme for even the small things that could come to a man.
Rogene Macion (bass guitarist), Joshua Ponce (vocalist, composer), Richie Amoin (rhythms guitarist), Emerson Dungog (lead guitarist) and Gregorio Baguio (drummer) of Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City make up Ainos, a Greek word that means "praise God" and also refers to the tallest mountain in Cephallonia, Greece with elevation at the top of the point standing at 1,628 meters (or around 5,350 feet).
"Actually, 'Buwad' may sound novelty. But if you are deep into music, you will understand that 'Buwad' is contemporary gospel music. It is another humble way of repeating to oneself: glass half full, just to remind us to be very grateful for everything that we have," Rogene expressed on behalf of the other members who are all affiliated with the Mactan Christian Community Church.
It was learned that the flock was part of the campus ministry of Babag National High School. It was during their being a school band that they were able to experience on-stage performances mostly for drug awareness campaigns.
Formed in 2001, the group wrote "Buwad" using for guidelines the influences of other successful Christian bands Thousand Foot Krutch, POD (Payable on Death), Blindside, Story of the Year, Hillsong and Metal Praise.
Recently, Ainos' other song "Tsismis" (the culture of gossiping in here and the aftermath tackled) received airplay over 93.1 Smash FM. They are thankful of this development, saying "it is difficult for our type of music to get a wide acceptance that is now being enjoyed by most Bisdak bands, knowing that the definition of Christian music here is still 'kahon.' Wala pa sad mi album.
"We are banking on the strength of Smash to be able to help disseminate our message encouraging a deeper understanding and closer relationship with God, to stay close to God and to always rest in Him-however and whoever one conceives Him to be."
Shoutouts: Ainos will forever be grateful to Jesus Christ, to the Mactan Christian Community Church, to Pastor Vic Abalos, to Nancy Abalos, and Gansiyang Band. E-mail ainosband@yahoo.com. Visit website: www.ainos.tk. For bookings and inquries, call 0920-7362679.