A Kapampangan pop album

Is there a Kapampangan friend in your Christmas list? Do not even think of going foodie for him during the holidays. Admit now that it would be very difficult for you to match the culinary delights the province of Pampanga offers. Think fresh paku salad and bilaos of tibok-tibok. So it might be best for you to give him something else instead and I have just listened to a great solution to the problem. This is Paralaya, a Kapampangan Acoustic Pop Album, a collection of new Pampango compositions presented by The Arti Sta. Rita Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with Pampanga’s Best.

Arti Sta. Rita was founded with the aim in view of developing pride in the Kapampangan race and preserving Pampanga’s rich cultural heritage. Its primary goal is to “build strength of character by instilling positive values, discipline, respect, commitment, dedication, perseverance, fellowship and spirituality.” It envisions cultural development as an essential element in bringing about human growth and progress and has made its mission to impart and improve cultural consciousness through appreciation for culture and the arts.

The foundation taps and cultivates the human potential, primarily among the youth in the different arts and provides an outlet for artistic expression. Thanks to help from the provincial government and private entities like the Don Juan Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies of the Holy Angel University, Pampanga’s Best and the Oasis Hotel in Angeles City, scholarships grants are given to deserving members and their talents are showcased through stage presentations and the recording of albums of Kapampangan music.

Leading the way in these areas is the indefatigable Andy Alviz. A farmer and member of the foundation’s board of trustees, Andy is most of the time, the artistic director, record producer, songwriter and choreographer rolled into one. Andy is no stranger to the hectic life of a working artist. He was, after all, the resident choreographer of the musical Miss Saigon in Asia, among other accomplishments and now uses his vast theatrical experience to make Arti Sta. Rita a true repository of Kapampangan talent.

The foundation has already recorded two albums with a mix of folk songs and original compositions. These are Pamanuli and Kapampangan Ku. Reaction to the CDs was so enthusiastic that it was only logical to do another one. Paralaya is the result of that recent effort. Take note of that title, Paralaya, a Kapampangan Acoustic Pop Album. Instead of again mining old and traditional music, producer Andy decided to do an album of all original works arranged in the acoustic pop style.

I believe that Paralaya is Arti Sta. Rita’s way of looking towards the future. Native Kapampangan music need not only be the folk songs. Songwriters like Mon David, Paul Silva, Gie Lansang, Jowell Jomarsus Gatus and Andy himself are perfectly in tune with the times and capable of putting Kapampangan lyrics to pop melodies. And they show how in the songs included. These are Paralaya, Abe Mu Ku, Akasya, Pamanuli, Bulan, Siwala, Tatang, Mayap A Oras, Abe Pakakalale, Aduan and Bayung Bengi Bayong Sinta.

Unfortunately on my part, I cannot make head or tails of these titles. There is also nothing familiar in it like Atin Cu Pung Singsing or O Kaka, O Kaka to provide me with some amount of recognition for the dialect. But good music should not really require lyrics to affect the listener. Whoever listens supplies his own poetry depending on how he reacts to the way the notes are structured. And the way this is done is what distinguishes the great composers from the ordinary.

Now I may not understand anything sang in Paralaya and I may not see any hint of a future Gershwin, as yet, among the songwriters. What I know about the album though is that the melodies are pretty though mostly melancholy. The singing is heartfelt and sweet and the clarity of tones among the performers, admirable. Songs these good should be heard everywhere and I really hope that Paralaya would be able to open new doors for talents not only in Pampanga but also in other regions. Then maybe we will realize that Filipino pop music need not be limited to English or Filipino.