Act astounding (and resounding)

With a resurgence of the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in the country, the 112th Independence Day celebration became the weekend attraction at the SM City Cebu Event Center.

The list of activities was highlighted by a late afternoon mini-concert, featuring the best of Original Pilipino Music.

Since I have much of an ear for something Filipino, I pushed aside my other writing assignments to make room for the event, and even had my son in tow so we could have some quality time together with OPM at the background.

I have a very strong adjective for that in Filipino: Atat na atat.

Most of the OPM hits I had collected through the years are in the reel form so when the cassette tape player got burned out, these have already been kept in a carton waiting to be donated to a willing museum.

And because radio playlists rarely put again on air lanes the songs of Gary Granada, Florante, Banyuhay, The Brothers Valdez – Leo and Basil; ASIN, Sampaguita and the more sensible side of the Juan de la Cruz Band, I found the opportunity to hear some live rendition a priority last Saturday.

Actually, the mini-concert started earlier than expected. Good thing as that meant wrapping up early also and having the extra time to move around stalls to check food, wares or goodies and other services.

But goodness! When the so-called entertainers climbed up onstage, what did we audience see and hear? Lady performer in black boots and bulge-hugging tube outfit that reaches a little lower than the groins, metallic belt around her hips and heavy with the rest of the blings. The other so-called musicians were in their casual outfits which made me wonder whether they indeed put a premium on the big day or were just pushed onstage to play for the crowd, which explained the mismatch of their RnB look to the songs they crooned.

Okay, here’s the fair treat. Vocal prowess and song choices, consider them an A. Despite clearly having a hard time following through the phrasing of ASIN’s Balita or Itanong Mo sa Mga Bata, they have pulled through fairly. What I didn’t get though was that it took time for them to understand that they were speaking in English too long; people on two rows of seats in front of me began leaving the venue. “Hasola, sige Iningles uy,” an elderly man grumbled.

I fought the urge to stand too. I know it’s not good and not proper to be leaving the venue in the middle of a performance. Besides, I didn’t come for the band; I rushed to SM because of the “afternoon of Pinoy songs” that this paper printed based on an advisory/statement.

The remaining songs popularized by Freddie Aguilar and ASIN somehow quenched my thirst for the songs that have found their niche when I was a bit younger. And I would thank SM City Cebu management for coming up with such an event. But still, it would be a lot sensible to be playing and listening to OPM songs at home. It’s so corny to hear performers say “dapat proud ta’s atong kaugalingong language, sa atong pagka-Pinoy” when they themselves shun donning a terno or the camisa de chino (that’s if they are not comfortable with the barong). Why does it take an effort to say “kaugalingong pinulongan or kaugalingong sinultihan?” in lieu of “kaugalingong language?”

And did I hear them say “selebrasyon sa atong independence? Kanang freedom ba?” Was “kagawasan or kaugalingnan” more appropriate for the celebration? These are very basic terms that a Cebuano should learn; one doesn’t need to be a poet to include these in his vocabulary. This is part and parcel of our Pinoy make-up—that is if it truly comes from our heart that we take pride in being Cebuano.

Nationalism is like a song; it takes a patriot to fill in the bars devoid of emotions for it to have a life of its own and to thrive. If it can’t be done properly, then no sense in pushing for it because that makes the next things corny, pretentious and superficial.

It’s a good thing though that the afternoon didn’t go to waste as prior to the mini-concert, the Snap Boiz who made it to the semifinals of the “Pilipinas Got Talent” search rendered a backbreaking, whoomping, popping, and exhilarating exhibition of their hiphop act in Manila.

The pack from Talisay City is known for their dirty looks but squeaky clean performances—death-defying tumbles and headspins.

Knowing that their efforts were also a show of support to Jovit Baldovino whose mother is from Dalaguete was more heartwarming than ever. The effort bleeds something that’s truly Filipino: Our concern for the welfare of others. Again, I have a very strong adjective for that: Dagaya tas pagpakabana!

We all know hiphop is no Pinoy subculture. However, the Snap Boiz act makes the snakehips and b-boying even louder than our “etchos” claim to be “very proud of our being a Filipino.”