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.
