Keeping the Faith

True Faith has a new single and it is Pangako. I knew that the song would make it as a single the moment I heard it in the band’s latest album Love Parade. Composed by lead guitarist Allan Elgar, Pangako has the sort of commercial hook that identifies a hit and echoes the sentiments expressed in the band’s past big sellers.

And when the subject is True Faith big sellers you think of Alaala, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, Huwag Na Lang Kaya, Sayang Ang Lahat, Sa Puso Ko and others. The tunes rock but only just a bit and retain the distinct Filipino flavor. Of course there is Medwin Marfil on lead vocals which makes these songs and now also Pangako distinctively True Faith’s.

True Faith is made up of Medwin on lead vocals; Eugene Marfil, acoustic guitar and vocals; Bimbo Yance, bass guitar; Allan, lead guitar; Jake Lumacad, keyboards; and Benedict Esguerra, drums.

Now available from Viva Records, Love Parade by True Faith also has Mountain Wind; Hurray; Tonight; Awitin; Strange Flower featuring Luke Mejares, Carlo Magno of Out Of Body Special and Ryan Armamento of Corporate Lo-Fi; Kaya Mo ‘Yan!; Parada; Run, Lihim; and the first single release ‘Yun Lang featuring Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down.

Watch out for the launch of the album Hello Anxiety by the rock band Salamin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Teatrino in Greenhills. The CD features the single Naked, which was No. 3 on NU107 last week. We will now have a clear idea about the music of Salamin, which has already been described as emo, head-banging hard rock, pop or whatever. The band is made up of Paolo Valenciano on vocals; Sho Hikino, guitars; Mike Bersales, bass; and Eo Marcos, drums.

Speaking of NU 107, I am sure that a lot of listeners now know that DWNU 107, which held high the banner of rock music for 23 years, is now no more. The FM radio station signed off permanently last Nov. 7 after a day filled with tales of NU experiences from guests and DJs. It is so easy to replace radio stations. You just change the name and change the format. But NU is more than that. It kept rock music, including Pinoy rock on the air even when everybody else was saying, there was no sense in doing so.

Of course, there is also the NU Rock Awards. It was not the only one giving recognition to rock artists, it was also one of the most credible awards in the country, as in, you get a trophy and you know you deserve it. What a loss.

Speaking of awards, Juan Pablo Dream was named Best New Artist Group at the recent Aliw Awards. So, the band has been around for five years and has released two albums, Soul Up and Juan Pablo Dream. These guys are not in any way new. Still, I will not argue with the award because it creates awareness about one of the better groups that we have today.

Juan Pablo Dream does soul, mostly Motown. You should hear its version of Light My Fire and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy. The band also does originals like Tibok Ng Puso but always with a soul flavor. The band is made up of Bing Austria, Bianca Holganza and Lotte Villarosa on vocals; Alexander, bass; Au Castro, guitar; Eman Tabujara, sax; Igor Carpio, trumpet; and Adwin Fernando, drums.

Meanwhile, here are the hit Pinoy videos of the moment as tabulated in the weekly Pinoy MYX Countdown. Lakad by Sandwich; What’s Your Poison by Chicosci; Pakiusap Lang by Parokya Ni Edgar; Jeepney Love Story by Yeng Constantino; Wasak Waltz by Ely Buendia and Francis M; Waiter by Eevee; Paano by Letter Day Story; This Kind Of Silence by Typecast; Nandito by General Luna; Can’t Get Enough by Young JV.

I Remember The Girl by Christian Bautista; Kung Wala Ka by Nikki Gil; Disney by Tanya Markova; Landi by Hansom; We Belong Together by Miguel Escueta; Don’t Say You Love Me by Krissy & Ericka; Time Machine by Nyoy Volante; Terminal by Piolo Pascual; Kapag Lasing Malambing by Mayonnaise and Ang Huling Yakap Ng Mundo by Imago.