One rock overload

MANILA, Philippines - Having been around the industry for almost 160 years, Tanduay has witnessed the power of music to define, shape and inspire culture. Prompted by that realization, the brand decided to team up with the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) industry to be a powerful medium intent on building the Filipino spirit by way of nurturing its cultural identity. The result is a partnership that has been radically altering the landscape of the local music industry.

Among Tanduay’s countless advocacies is the Tanduay First Five, an annual music tour that features a line-up of the country’s top rock bands. This year, Tanduay toured 15 areas and drew audiences of almost 30,000 in each venue — bringing together people from all walks of life with varied tastes, in the name of music.

The country’s leading rhum-maker holds the OPM banner high and proud as it hosts this year’s highly-anticipated Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 7. It is set to culminate today at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds, after regional legs of the rockfest were held in Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo last Oct. 11 and 18, respectively.

Evidently on a roll, Tanduay is set to make music history once again as it presents a bigger and bolder rockfest — bringing together 30 of the biggest bands from decades past all the way to the present.

During a recent press conference held at the MBC Building in Pasay City, vice chairman of the National Committee on Music and OPM icon, Joey Ayala expressed his gratitude to Tanduay for playing an active role in supporting the country’s cultural development. He said that in this day and age of digital downloads, it’s very important for musicians to have live shows. “At sa tingin ko, iyan ang isa sa mga pinakamalaking kontribusyon ng Tanduay sa komunidad ng musika.”

Now on its seventh installment, this year’s rockfest carries the theme “panata,” which symbolizes the vow between Tanduay, the bands and Filipinos all over the country to all take on the responsibility of promoting OPM music.

Dinah Remolacio, executive director of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, shared, “Tanduay has been consistently supportive of OPM and our projects. In fact, when we held the OPM Fair, which aimed to help performers and musicians with hospitalization and medical benefits, the funds came from Tanduay. Secondly, it was only Tanduay who made an event such as this possible. Gathering countless of bands in one age is not an easy feat, but they made it possible. On behalf of our organization, we would like to thank Tanduay for doing this in the service of the Filipino artists.”

With the rockfest serving as a yearly culmination of Tanduay’s efforts, the event is set to bring forth exhilarating and never-before-seen surprises and highly-memorable performances.

To the delight of music lovers, the event only requires them to purchase two bottles of Tanduay Five Years 750 ml. and one bottle of Tanduay Light 750 ml. in order to get VIP tickets. On the other hand, buying one bottle of either Tanduay Five Years 750 ml. or Tanduay Light 750 ml. will give one a general admission pass.

Led by the Tanduay First Five, namely Wolfgang, Rico Blanco, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee and Sponge Cola, the line-up will feature rock luminaries and new crowd favorites — Alamid, Siakol, The Youth, Color It Red, The Dawn, True Faith, Gloc 9, Session Road, Up Dharma Down, Ebe Dancel, Barbie Almalbis, Sandwich, Franco, Typecast, Chicosci, General Luna, Six Cycle Mind, Kitchie Nadal, Neocolors, Abra and Frank Magalona.

When asked about what he thinks of the current state of OPM, Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar stressed, “Hindi kami naniniwalang nagkaroon ng downhill phase ang OPM dahil tuloy-tuloy lamang kami sa pagtugtog. The shows are much bigger and more companies are investing in bands.”

As for what fans can expect in this year’s installment, Basti Artadi of Wolfgang quipped, “We can’t say much because it’s a surprise. But one thing’s for sure, every year is different, there’s always something new.”

Indeed, there is not stopping Tanduay in proving that OPM is more alive than ever.  Gladys Basinillo, GM of Carat Philippines, said, “We walk the talk and we are consistent. We will continue promoting OPM through Tanduay’s world-class products and the country’s world-class talents.”