We're Taking Our Time

Haaay sarap. Light and easy Sunday morning after a gruelling week. Lazing around while watching those full-length dubbed Chinese movies. Sitting by the bed where Dad is sleeping, trying to guess if he'd spring up anytime soon. Mom cooking nilagang baka downstairs, the enticing smell of delicately cooked meat drifting to our noses. Playing 12" Frank Sinatra alternately with 7" Voltes Five theme on the phonograph. But wait, am I talking about memories of Sunday many many years ago, all tucked safely in some secure and stable gyri of my brain? Poignant....

This is how Sunday of yore sounds to us. What is it like to you? Tell us.

GOJIMMYGO - Sunday Morning
ORANGE STREET - Awake
BAMBOO - Rootical Boom
THE PIETASTERS - Mellow Mood
THE SELECTER - Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA - Hole In One

Updates? Yes, they're coming sooner than you think. Here are some pictures while you wait. First photo shows MV the She-devil and her pal Ron; second photo shows Aji Adriano (WUDS, Beatdown Boombox) in his pose that has long guaranteed him Pinoy Punk immortality, courtesy of Trash Radio Manila's good friend, Ish. All taken during last week's Skalloween.

...And The WUDS Celebrate Their Silver Anniversary The Day After

Roughly three years ago, I was in the park: I chose a seat situated near the stage, and waited for the band to start playing. Three years have passed since then, shards of poignant memories piercing my consciousness.

For many compelling reasons, I can never forget that year. It was 2005.

Sunday, July 13, 2008. I was at the stone bench, which was nestled in the middle of the open-air auditorium of Rizal Park, waiting for the same band to play. Snippets from the award-winning independent movie Iskwaterpangk directed by Khavn De La Cruz were being shown in the background as the crowd waited for the program to start.

A few minutes after 6pm, music started to drift and fill the air. Then the words rang, each line evoking scenes of childhood.

"Kilala kita,
Ang champoy, ang sampaloc,
Ang pader ng St. Scholastica noong 1969...."

It was the voice of Bobby Balingit, singing about memories of the sea and home in The WUDS' "Time Space Warp", the ethereal feel of the song provided in part by their musician friends Ukay. Pinoy punk band The WUDS, whose music transcended the bounds of punk music with time, celebrated their 25th anniversary by playing at The Concert at the Park. With Bobby was Aji Adriano who kept the pace along with Dennis Fabunan, who played bass.

For an hour or so, the crowd was treated to songs both new and old, touching mostly on the band's favorite theme, economic and political issues. I was specifically struck by "Marianett", a song about a 12-year old girl who committed suicide because of poverty and how Bobby made a parallelism of the girl and the marionette, which is a string-controlled puppet.

Some songs previously recorded by Bobby's side project, Juan Isip, were also in the repertoire, like "Saranggola sa Gabi" (which did not appear in the programme), and the haunting "Ti Recuerdi, Joe?" The set ended with two vintage WUDS songs: "At Nakalimutan Ang Diyos" and "Inosente Lang Ang Nagtataka", before the band enumerated their list of acknowledgements via a prolonged jam with Ukay.

And, like three years ago, I walked out of the auditorium marveling at the beauty of Bobby's lyrics, but this time wondering how his words seem to sound sadder and sadder with the passing of time.

Trash Radio Manila Live At Underground Radio

It was surreal ... but strange things happen this side of town, this time of the year, at the weirdest moments of the day.

The strangest fact of all is that Trash Radio Manila was actually aired in a REAL radio station, thanks to Underground Radio 105.9, courtesy of an invite from The WUDS' Aji Adriano. This phenomenon took place just hours ago, in a program called Music Is My Girlfriend, a 3-hour album-oriented show hosted by DJs Rolly Stone and Mr. Kite every Monday from 9 to 12 midnight. You can check out their site here for future programs.

Adding to the string of strange occurrences is the presence of multi-band guitarist Albert Ascona, who selflessly renders his service to 330 bands, and still counting. Albert provided some songs in the said special.

To the guys of Music Is My Girlfriend, thank you, it's been a pleasure.

Moving pictures: The two guys of Music Is My Girlfriend, Aji Adriano, Albert Ascona striking a videoke pose.