How Alamat takes pride in being Filipino

Do not mistake Alamat for a K-pop group albeit our very own Pinoy sing-rap-dance boy group dresses up in the same way as Korean boy bands do, including the hairstyle.

The big difference lies in how the members of Alamat namely, Tomas, Jao, Taneo, R-Ji, Mo and Alas take pride in being Filipino. Their songs are written with multilingual lyrics and their dance steps promote Filipino culture on purpose.

Alamat, managed by Viva Artists Agency, is the only Filipino boy group, whose members come from different parts of the country. Tomas is from Bicol; Taneo, Kalinga; Mo, Zambales; Jao, Pampanga; R-Ji, Borongan Eastern Samar; and Alas, Davao City. They were selected via Pwede: The National Boyband Search held two years ago.

The boys sing and rap not just in Tagalog but also in their respective dialects — Bicolano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Waray and Bisaya.

After training for nine months, Alamat was formally launched on Feb. 14, 2021 with its debut single titled kbye, which the members wrote themselves. Its lyrics are a mix of Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Waray-Waray, Hiligaynon and Bisaya. And if you listen closely, it would be easy to notice the combination of sounds from a racked gong chime instrument known as kulintang, normally played in the southern islands of the Philippines, and the tapping and sliding of bamboo poles on the ground and against each other like the distinct sound in the traditional folk dance Tinikling.

“According to our management and especially our creative director, Jason Paul Laxamana, part of the goal (of the group) is to represent the Philippines in our music. By taking us in as representatives of different provinces, we can promote the diverse Filipino culture,” offered Jao on the concept behind Alamat, formed by Viva and Ninuno Media.

Apart from their music, the boys of Alamat also continue to wow their audiences, especially their fans dubbed as Magiliw, with their outfits designed with rich cultural references without them looking too stiff. For instance, their costumes can be likened to streetwear yet complemented with festive colors that represent the colorful tradition of Philippine fiestas. Other prominent elements in their outfits include tattoos of ancient Visayan warriors, Kalinga weaves, Yakan weaves, Masskara festival, among others.

Get to know more about Alamat through an interview with yours truly for Batalk Channel’s The Interviewer Presents on YouTube. Below are excerpts.

Ano ang pangarap n’yo? Saan n’yo gusto pumunta?

Tomas: Pangarap po namin makapag-perform hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa ibang bansa at pakinggan ‘yung music namin kahit sa pinaka liblib na lugar ng Pilipinas.

Take me to an ordinary day of Alamat. How do you spend your day?

Tomas: We wake up at 8 a.m. for breakfast. Then, we will do our workout from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Our lunchtime is from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Then, we take a rest before we start preparing for our 1 p.m. dance class. So, alternate ‘yung dance class and voice lessons.

Each one possesses a different personality. How do you survive one another?

Taneo: Normally, you would think that since we come from different provinces, different cultures, you would think that we would have a lot of conflicts among us. Actually, that’s an advantage for us because we get to learn what we don’t know. Like me, I haven’t been exposed to a different culture before and this way, I kinda learn and seemingly, it rubs on me how their ways are. Lahat kami ganun until we get to a point na gamay na namin ang isa’t-isa.

What is your goal as members of Alamat?

Taneo: For our fellow Filipinos to really appreciate P-pop.

How are you going to do that?

Jao: We’re working hard to experiment and to create a sound that will make Filipinos resonate more on it, which is P-pop.

Is your sound different?

Jao: Going there, I guess. P-pop is a young genre, so we’re still exploring a lot of genres and taking foreign influences but as it progresses, napansin ko, since from the start, we’re getting more inspiration from our own culture and the dances.

What separates you from the others?

Jao: Perhaps, our multilingual diversity.

Aside from the multilingual quality of Alamat, what else can you offer which other groups do not?

Taneo: If I can add, probably, our ability to incorporate traditional Filipino elements and placing big importance on that, placing value on that, and really incorporating it (in) our music videos.

How do you translate itong pinag-uusapan natin? ‘Yung pagiging multilingual nasa lyrics, pero when it comes to dance steps, can you do it?

Taneo: Yes. Our choreographies are mostly inspired by traditional Filipino dances like for kasmala (another single), for instance, our dance movements were inspired by the dance called Pattong from my province Kalinga. And then, we also have the Eagle dance in kbye. (Alas’ hometown is Davao City, home to the majestic Philippine Eagle.)

How do you manage your personal lives?

R-Ji: I am focused on my career because I want to help my family first. Sa personal life naman, parang go with the flow kung ano ‘yung mangyayari. If, for example, there’s this girl, then love has to wait because it’s not easy for me to manage love and career.

What if you fail?

Tomas: For me, if I fail, then I need to get up and try again. We cannot let failure turn into defeat. Learning to handle failure well can increase our chance of future success.

Alas, hanggang saan kabahagi ng buhay mo ang Alamat?

Alas: As long as I can, because it’s been my long-time dream to be given this kind of opportunity. And now that I am here, I will do everything to the best of my ability. I’ve failed many times before, mga 100,000 na yata kung bibilangin. But I’m still here because I don’t let failure stop me from trying.

Kung may prayer ka, ano ‘yun?

R-Ji: Na maging successful ang Alamat at tumatak sa tao ang music namin. For Alamat to achieve success and for our music to leave a mark on people.

(To watch the full interview, visit the Boy Abunda Talk Channel on YouTube.)