What happens when three riot grrrls with a propensity to tell it like it is, a readiness to get their hands dirty and a penchant for heavy metal decide to put their heads together for a worthy cause? One head-bangin’, fist-throwing, steel-toed, sweat-covered, rock ‘n’ roll revolution. At least that’s what happened when Gabbie de la Rama, Aimee Marcos and Camille Lanuza took their dreams for Pinoy rock music and blared them through 8,000-watt amplifiers, for all of the underground to hear.
Hence Princess Batugan was born, an extension of the Princess Bato Group fiercely devoted to giving young and talented bands the respect and recognition they deserved.
"Batugan was inspired by Camille Lanuza’s earlier management efforts with Monkeyspank, Lady’s Choice and a couple of other bands," says Gabbie de la Rama, General Manager of Batugan and Vice President of Princess Bato Inc. "Since we all liked rakenrol we decided it was something the three of us could do together as friends."
"It all started because we realized that there were no proper reps for some of the up-and-coming bands that we believed in," says Aimee Marcos, president of Princess Bato Inc.
What initially began as a management outfit rapidly evolved as it began to garner more attention from denizens of the local indie rock scene. With Teardrop, Monkeyspank and Severo onboard, the girls didn’t hesitate to stand by and support the bands they thought were "loud, tight, original and with a sh**load of attitude." In a few months’ time, Camille went her separate way and Princess Batugan had extended its roster, not by directly managing other bands, but instead helping them source gigs and inviting them to play at their monthly productions in Cafe SaGuijo. Ciabel Santos, a board member of Princess Bato Inc., stepped in to lend a hand and make some extra noise. As she helped Gabbie and Aimee champion their cause, Batugan’s endeavors began to resonate through the underground with a roaring passion for rock music that many thought died long ago with grunge. Princess Batugan then became something bigger than a collective dream. It scratched with persistence at its chrysalis and emerged as a different animal – beautiful, snarling and untamed by the collective consciousness of the mainstream.
It became what it is now. A movement.
"It’s a good feeling," Gabbie says, "that you’re responsible for making sure these kids do what they like doing, which is playing good music without getting screwed over."
Now, with bands like Salamin, Reklamo, the Sultans of Snap, Matilda, El Mercurio and Naked Tongue on the Batugan roster, Gabbie, Aimee and Ciabel know that their fight for the unsung heroes of Pinoy rock has made a real difference, most especially to themselves. They are often approached by many other bands seeking managers, but unfortunately have to turn them down (for now) on account of their day jobs.
"Every band who plays in the roster has a sound that Batugan genuinely thinks is kick-ass," Gabbie adds. "We don’t care if their music is too hard and we certainly don’t care if they fit into today’s equation of what a rock band is supposed to be. All Batugan cares about is that they’re indie, they play well, they play hard, they’re original and that they’re good people."
"It’s an honor" working with these bands, Aimee says. "We get to listen to the music we want to listen to and at the same time help the bands that need to and should be heard– basta they’re nuts, can have a good time, play great music and truly have a passion for it."
While Princess Batugan has cradled burgeoning rock acts under its wing, it also acts on a sense of social obligation. The time soon came for the girls to take their efforts further. Eager to take the next step and at the same time keep on coloring outside the lines, they clicked their Chucks together and sprinted down the proverbial road less traveled. Why couldn’t they use that same overt, heavy metal passion people exhibited towards indie rock to inspire others to make a difference? So last December, Gabbie, Aimee and Ciabel put on Batugtugan, a production with the help of Red Horse, for the benefit of the Make A Wish Foundation. The event was a means for the girls to use their advocacy for Pinoy rock to create an awareness of social reality among contemporaries.
"What could be more fulfilling than helping people you really believe in and listening to music that you really think is exceptional?" Gabbie says. "The great thing is even big companies, like Red Horse, for example, are all out there, supporting the Pinoy rock scene, which I think is admirable. It’s not about the money, ‘cause there isn’t any to begin with. It’s about having a good time and doing something that helps, that you don’t think is a load of bull deep down inside."
This Friday marks the one-year anniversary of Princess Batugan. Friends, colleagues and partners will be gathering to celebrate the bands that have helped Batugan on its way. Red Horse Beer, Burn magazine and NU 107.5 are partnered with the group for this two-day slam-dancing party in Cafe SaGuijo. Bands from the roster, along with guest bands like Kapatid, The Dorques, Valley of Chrome and Greyhoundz will be performing. All the challenges that Gabbie, Aimee and Ciabel have fearlessly encountered have created a thunderous subculture, a gathering of those who share their love for good old Pinoy rock ‘n’ roll and have high hopes for it to kick its lovely boot-print onto the future.
"We’ve been able to make what is essentially a ‘Western’ concept into something that is purely Pinoy," says Aimee. "Look at Tropical Depression, Fatal Posporos, the E-Heads, Parokya ni Edgar, Urbandub, Narda... There is so much scope and I’m so happy that we’re veering towards being more open-minded about all sorts of different genres. I hope this continues because the more we flex our proverbial music muscle, the more comfortable we will be in educating the rest of the Philippines and playing the music that we want to play."
"There will always be Pinoy rock," Gabbie says. "The kind loved by the general public and Pinoy rock appreciated by those who like delving deeper and further. The latter will thank technology for making the world smaller, bridging nations with just one click. In the future, it will be easier for Pinoy talent to reach a worldwide audience and take its rightful place in the spectrum of rock music worldwide."
And what final words do the girls have to say about celebrating the culmination of this year’s trials and triumphs?
"We’re getting together and celebrating great friendships," says Aimee. "That’s what Batugan is based on."
"You’re all invited," Gabbie says. "We would be honored."