No politics for musicians: Just Rocking for the Vote

CEBU, Philippines - Whether the Rock to Vote concert held in Cebu last week was political in nature or not, music bands Hale and Moonstar 88 didn’t care less.

It was “Rock to Vote.” Hence, they came to rock and play music to inspire youths to register for the forthcoming 2010 elections.

Apart from Hale and Moonstar 88, other national bands like Itchyworms and Rivermaya were in Cebu last week to headline the Rock to Vote Concert held at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

As to questions whether subliminal political campaigns were included in the concert, the bands answered that they are “hands off.”

“We’re not here to campaign for any candidate. We’re just coming in to drive and inspire youths to register,” said Moonstar 88 lead vocalist Maychelle Baay during a presscon at Pino Restaurant in Lahug.

Hale’s Champ Liu Pio, for his part, said that he doesn’t feel used at all.

“As long it doesn’t come out from my mouth, I don’t feel used. Iboto nyo sila kung gusto niyo sila, but we’re focusing more on the registering and voting [of fellow youths],” he added.

It was also clarified that they were not responsible for the mounting of the concert. They were featured musicians, who were given an honorarium, but not talent fee.

Endorsing the cause through music

More than just playing music for the love of it, these artists feel that music can have a strong influence on the youth. Music can be used to bring in more youths to register and vote.

“We want to make the youths realize their power this coming elections. We want to make people understand their right to vote. Mas lalong walang mangyayari kung hindi tayo kikilos,” Champ said.

Maychelle said it’s their second time to partner with the Rock to Vote concert and it has always been a pleasure for them to be part of such an undertaking.

“We believe in the cause. We want the youths to use their right to suffrage,” she said.

Furthermore, both Champ and Maychelle shared their views on what kind of candidate should the youths be voting for.

Hale stands for a candidate who is “God-fearing, has good intentions enough to lead the country and has good set of skills for the political arena.”

Meanwhile, Maychelle who is a huge fan of US President Barrack Obama wants our politicians to be like him who is “an agent of change, [who has] unconventional thinking and [who] can start a huge movement to make an impact.”

Well, politically-driven or not, music continues to have a big influence on the youth. And for musicians like Hale and Moonstar 88, they’re happy to do their share in encouraging more youths not just to rock it out, but also to register to vote and exercise the right as a citizen of this country.