Agipo to bring 'Sikwati' to a boil in album launch

Last June 22, 2006, I got a taste of the thick, hot chocolate drink "sikwati" from the unadulterated "cacao tabliza" poured into a figurative mug via a CD sampler that Jorge "Bisoy" Tapales handed over to me along with the granting of an interview.

Seven months after, and here they are - Bisrock band Agipo - Jorge Tapales on vox (also composer) and his best buddy Ronie Bayabos on bass, with Dennis Raphael Moga on drums, Joje Cleofas on rhythms and Algin John Tirol on lead guitars bracing for tomorrow's big night for the launching of their "Sikwati" album in time for their first anniversary as a band.

"Niundang na gyud ko aning banda-banda sa una, but it is Bayabs (referring to best bud Ronie) who constantly encourages me to veer away from quitting. Mao to nga nanawagan mi sa 93.1 Smash FM on the need to recruit a guitarist and drummer para mi ma-porma," recalled Bisoy during an acoustic Wednesday session at the 10-am-to-noontime-Smash-program "BisrocKabataan".

In fact, Joje just hopped in as the newest member the moment I conducted that interview seven months ago. When asked on how they dealt with the call of the times to work with new members, Ronnie and Raphy said they saw that as an opportunity to test the level of their musicality and scale of their tolerance. "Mas maayo nu-on nga total strangers sa mi kay anha namo makita kon magka-wavelength ba gyud mi when it comes to making music. Anha diha makita kon magka-jam ba gyud mi nga dili gud mi parehas sa uban nga magkabarkada, in the essence of the word."

Tomorrow, Agipo is set to pour out the best in their musical works after a vigorous stir with the "batirol" to achieve consistency, from a clay jug that stands for the brown man's simplicity flavored by a chocolate-y richness. This after the band has withstood criticisms and rejection and eventually made it to the list of most-adored-best-loved Bisrock bands of today. In fact, this form of fanaticism has led to the creation of a dance step ala Agipo style. This was developed by some spectators in the past two Smash "Rakrakans" and the November "Tingog Bisaya" concert at the SSS grounds wherein passionate Bisrockistas indulged in the anthem of "sikwati" drinkers - a track that has both gustatory and auditory appeal. As described by DJ Ram Dizon of Smash, "Lahi gyud kay kana nga stepping anha ra na nako makita kon ang Agipo na ang nag-perform." He added with a laugh, "Kana bitaw'ng mag-martsa ang mga tawo unya mora'g gi-fuse sa kanang sinayawan sa Indian. Ang tawag daw ana dance step ala Agipo style."

"I attribute that to our ska influence aside from alternative rock. Danceable man gyud nang ska. And it's also because makita man gud nila nga mosayaw pud ang vocalist so maong maengganyo pud sila manayaw. Kay di ba kana bitaw'ng sa mga song festivals nga magtuy-od lang ang performer, di man sad ganahan mo-kiat ang mga tawo. Na-motivate lang gyud siguro namo sila nga mosabay namo and that led to the creation of the dance step," Bisoy explained.

"Funny gani kaayo kay there were times gyud na makasab-an na ko sa owners sa gadgets especially sa microphone because of the techniques I employ in handling the device (winding cord around his hand, holding mic upsidedown). Kasab-an ko kay magguba daw," shared Bisoy, laughing out loud. "But that is really part of showmanship - a style I have developed as a trademark for Agipo - I would say."

When asked on why he is so fond of writing songs with double meanings when that style is considered "air pollutant" of sorts and that society needs more sensible songs during these troubled times, he answered: "Dili man na nako tuyo nga mabastos ang kanta. Sa huna-huna ra man na mabastos kon ang pagsabot sa tawo bastos. With regards to Sikwati, gituyo na nako pagpares ang mama ug papa kay bakikaw man pareson ang sikwati ni mama ug kuya, di ba?" this lumad nga taga San Fernando reasoned out with a giggle.

So what is there to expect in tomorrow's launching? "The show will start at 7 pm as there will be 13 bands to perform ahead of us like Atsang Pidot, Kabobo, Fervent, Assembly Language, Abscond, What's The Frequency, Station Avenue, Them Bones, Indephums, Gangrene, Missing Filemon, 3Chordschoir and Jaime. Tickets are available at the gate at P80 with either a free slice of the yummy-licious Handuraw pizza or ice-cold beer," Bisoy announced.

The 13-track "Sikwati" album features the works of Agipo, lyrics of which I would want to recommend except "Ensaymada" which I find to be offensive and devoid of sensitivity, sensibility and social responsibility expected from somebody educated. This as I am very much a feminist and I don't want more men to be harassing women with songs in the double meaning fashion. Enough of this crap! And Agipo front man cum lyricist together with his pack should grow up to be the real gents that should help wheel this society to deepen respect for women, recognize their strengths not their being "weakest links" (that is if they do recognize our presence in this double-standard society that we could not have fallen into had we Filipinas only got the choice).

Despite the stale "Ensaymada" heading straight to the bin, Bisoy is still one of only a handful I recognize to have a knack for beautiful Sugbuano lyrics that speak so much of the enlivening culture of poetry here. Bisoy brings the richness of the Bisdak vocab in his "Mutya". Later on in the song "Sikwati", Agipo mentioned that however good the sikwati is to the palate, it should not be taken excessively, as if saying a taste of the good things that life is offering should be taken in moderately. Or else, over-indulgence could put a halt to every good thing shaping before each one of us.

CD contains the track "Batang Nangka" which is our Sugbuano way of saying "torpe" and consistently stays as one of the most requested songs over at Smash since its debut in the second half of last year; the romantic plea in "Pag-sure Oi"; and "Wish Ko Lang" that takes off with "Narda" for an inspiration for its creator, Kamikazee, is one of the potent influences. "Wish Ko Lang" shares in the sentimentality of "Mutya," the other side of comic Agipo. Other cuts include "Kabataan Para sa Bisrak," "Nabitik sa Utot," the Tagalog song "Luha," and the rest written in English - "Missing You," "Brave New World" and "Ode ('til Eternity)."