Aegis in a holiday mood - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby Gil

The Yuletide Season is almost over but we still have a few days to keep the Christmas spirit going and hopefully alive throughout the coming years. And one way of doing this is to keep playing music that inspires and encourages giving and loving. One of the new releases in this category is Paskung-Pasko by Aegis, the group behind the big sellers Halik, Luha, Sinta, Sino, Basang-Basa Sa Ulan, Mahal Na Mahal Kita and others.

One of the country’s most successful bands today, Aegis is known for its blend of jukebox ballads and Pinoy rock-pop. It takes a break from its usual plaintive love songs about love found, lost and living forever, with this album of 10 Filipino Christmas originals written by the group’s usual composer Jackou Abenoja and Eva Vivar. I wonder if this one is the same Eva Vivar who was a teen-aged singer and actress way back in the early ’70s. If she is, I wonder why she chose to allow her songs to be recorded only now. If she is not the same Eva, then we have a promising songwriter making the auspicious debut with Aegis’ Paskung-Pasko.

The Eva Vivar songs in the album are the two carrier singles, the bittersweet Sana’y Kapiling Ka Ngayong Pasko and the lilting tune about that most awaited December event, the Christmas Bonus plus Paskong Wala Ka. She collaborates with Abenoja in the title track Paskung-Pasko, Pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan, Araw-araw Gawing Pasko, Kahulugan ng Pasko and Pasko. Abenoja’s sole solo effort is the album’s opening track, Christmas is Here Again. Although these are Christmas songs, take note that all the cuts retain the usual Aegis love song formula calculated to turn the album into another big hit for the group.

The predominantly female Aegis is made up of sisters Juliet and Mercy Sunot with those distinctively Aegis vocals, Lotlot Lawan on bass guitar, Stella Galindo on keyboards, Vilma Goloviogo on drums and the only male member Rey Abenoja on lead guitar. After some years performing abroad, the group finally got its big break in the local music scene when it signed with Alpha Records. Aegis made its debut two years ago with the very successful album Halik. This was followed by the sophomore release Mahal Na Mahal Kita early this year. And recently Paskung-Pasko, which is the third album released by Aegis.

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The religious fervor in Filipino music, which resulted in several hit albums these past 12 months continues to burn brightly with these new releases. One is the special edition Platinum Collection of the Servant of All series. The title refers to the Servant of All albums which have all gone Platinum, Double Platinum or more saleswise. Retailing for only P600, the three-volume set includes the hugely successful Servant of All, Mother of All and Christmas for All albums which are made up of inspirational music and prayers featuring big name singers and other celebrities.

A collection that will surely be treasured for years and years, this is a must for your own library and truly great for last minute gift-giving. Among the songs included in the Servant of All series are the original version of Tanging Yaman by Basil Valdez, Sharon Cuneta’s Silent Night, Mary, Most Holy, Mother of All by Regine Velasquez Donna Cruz’ rendition of the Jubilee Song, Maria by Bert Nievera, Marco Sison and Lloyd Umali, Ave Maria by Eugene Villaluz, Ikaw Lamang by Christopher de Leon, Amazing Grace by Lani Misalucha, Morning Has Broken by Zsa Zsa Padilla, Mama by the Wiseguys, Gloria in Exelcsis Deo by the UP Singing Ambassadors and many others.

Also available in the market is The Great Jubilee Album which is Alpha Records’ contribution to last year’s Jubilee celebration. This one features Aegis singing its big hit Hesus and Sino Ako, plus versions of Tanging Yaman by Rica Peralejo, Sumasamba, Sumasamo by the Cecillian Choir of EDSA Shrine, Awit ng Dakilang Jubileo, the Tagalog translation of the Jubilee Song by Paula Peralejo, O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine and Tell the World of His Love by Melija; One Little Candle by Nina Girado, Ang Panginoon Ang Aking Pastol and the Jubilee Song by Din-Din Llarena plus acoustic and music minus one versions of some of the cuts in the album.