Bahaghari: Speaking universal issues through reggae
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Bahaghari Band. Standing, Leonard Mabaquiao and Ryan Lloyd Lagon. Sitting (from left) Jerwin Ocate, Alvan Dianala, Phillip Paloma, Roy Balin, Jeomar Gestuvieo, Ian Infante and Frederick Esguerra
The music
Reggae, a music genre developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s is sometimes used in a broad sense to refer types of Jamaican music. It is based on rhythm style; the tempo is slower than ska and rocksteady and is often associated with the Rastafari movement. Rastas influences many prominent reggae musicians in the 70s and 80s.
“We are not Rastas!” Phillip Paloma laughed his famous laugh. Everyone in the group agreed.
“I love taking a bath everyday,” Ryan Lloyd Lagon added which again everyone nodded in conformity.
“You see, everybody can love reggae. It doesn’t necessary that you have to smoke weed just to enjoy the music,” Frederick Esguerra explained.
Reggae song lyrics deal with many subjects, including faith, love, relationships, poverty, injustice and other broad social issues.
Bahaghari wants to speak the universal language of many issues through reggae.
Close encounter with a couple embalmer
Tuesday, September 18, 2007The story
He glanced at the table near him where a cold lifeless body was. There was something in the air inside the room, something he cannot explain. Hair stood at the back of his neck as cold wind enveloped him. He felt someone was watching him. But who could be, he was left alone in the morgue in the middle of the night. He threw one look on his only companion. He was so shocked that no voice escaped from him. Looking back at him was corpse’s eyes, the saddest eyes he ever saw.
She laughed with amusement.
“Fortunately, I don’t have that kind of experience!” Jafe laughed again. “Ask him, mas matagal na siya sa service,” she pointed at the man sitting near her.
“Mas nakakatakot pa ang buhay kaysa sa patay,” Jopith couldn’t help but laughed, too.
We heard stories, creepy ones happened in morgues but for Jopith Echavez and Jafe Alba Echavez, they spent most of their time in a place where most people would not dare stay. A morgue or mortuary is a building or room (as in a hospital) used for the storage of human remains.
“Here in St. Therese Chapels we call it body preparation room,” explained Jopith.
Paghahanap
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
dito ako magsisimula
hindi ko alam saan ako papunta
kahit saan ako dalhin ng buhay
maghihintay ka ba?
pilit kong hahanapin ang sarili sa gitna ng dilim
kahit makita pa ang katotohanan na hindi ako para sa mundo mo….
