Notes from the underground: So what if FrancisM died?

by Terence Krishna V. Lopez



So what if Francis M died? So what if he died at a very young age of 44? Aren’t there too many people dying who are so much younger than he is?

But he is Francis M and that is the thing, exactly.

He is larger than life. He is the king of Philippine Rap. From him, hip-hop became cool. His youthful energy is contagious even from the small screen.

So what if he died?

It is a loss not only to the industry that has limited supply of genuine talents, especially those that go on to become superstars, with their feet remaining firmly on the ground, at all times.

FrancisM’s death is a loss to this generation, my generation that has limited supply of genuine inspiration.

Francis M is a nationalist who is not afraid to shout out loud about his rebellions against this establishment and the world’s. Or if that is an exaggeration, Francis M at the very least bravely showed through his lyrics the social realities, the class contradictions, the real situation.

So what if he died in the time of GMA, global crisis and a generation losing itself into the fantasies of the superficial world of television, internet and all other media?

Along with him dies some levels of hope and inspiration.

Because he is FrancisM. He is an icon of youth, if not fully of art and peace and nationalism.

Then again, his death now puts him into the ranks of gods.
Think jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison.


(Photos by Eric Fernandez and Ken Tamayo)

Notes From the Underground

Contributed by Tey



Well, it's been a while since this site has been upadated. So, celebrate!

Then again, this post will lack all that you guys are waiting to read as this is the Bohol Underground Music blog therefore it must be filled with that.

I just thought of writing some little post that could be relevant now. Could be. It depends on who will be reading.

So, shoot me.

Last Friday, the rally in Manila led by the revived youth movement showed how la manille's underground music is still very much at it. Aside from the legendary chickoy pura and the jerks, other bands performed to show their disgust on the administration, especially against GMA. Well yes it was to call for the ouster of Gloria.

Well, music is indeed [everyone who knows music from their hearts will agree]beyond entertainment. as an art form, it plays a big part in shaping, re-shaping and changing the society.

Since time immemorial art did play that part well.

I am just thinking, what about a concert for truth or justice or a concert against gloria here in our own beautiful bohol?

We don't lack talented musicians. And intelligent, socially-aware ones. Or do we?

Shoot me again.

------------------------------------
"No Fairmit, No Rally"
Barbie Almbabis, together with other local bands, plays her hits during the 4th night of last year's UP Diliman's annual fair.

Events: Rocksteddy Rocks Tagbi

Words by Terence Krishna Lopez, Photos by Ryan Macalandag



It was a rainy Friday afternoon. I was trapped in the mall and was starting to feel like a mallrat and I hated it. With just one stick of red ziggy at hand, I hurried to the top floor of BQ mall and smoked. To my surprise, there they were! On stage, sound-checking and yes, they were performing that night!

Sometimes, the rain gives pleasant surprises. So I immediately SMSd Ryan to meet up with for the concert. I gotta have company!

As usual, Ryan was, fashionably, late. He had reasons, of course. Or excuses.

And again, as usual, there was a front act. It was a good act though, the band called System Tools. They played Eric Clapton and Jason Mraz and other good ones, giving these rather popular songs new textures and interpretation as a whole. Systems Tools is promising and as Ryan would tell me later that night, they really are genuine musicians. The only disappointment is their name really. System Tools? Enough said.



After more than an hour, some drizzles and some booze direct from plastic cups and some good puffing of the ziggies, it was time to rock hard! And rock hard I did with the music of one of the country's more popular punk-rock/alternative Manila-based bands that gave us the impossibly unforgettable theme of the ABS-CBN series Super Inggo. I'm kidding. Of course they gave us other hits such as Magpakailanman (or, was this really a hit?) and the remakes of APO originals Blue Jeans and No Touch.

Well, my point is, they did a wonderful rak en rol feel that night and believe it or not, I was there, right in front of the stage, dancing, jumping, cheering, shouting. Along with -- too bad -- young squatter-punks (Ryan's words not mine) who did not stop asking me about the names of the band members particularly, the long-haired guitarist Joven.

After few songs, the show had to end, as usual. But not without giving the audience what they wanted (ahh, some wiggling, girating, and half-nakedness).





Teddy was, definitely a knock-down performer, pleasing everyone in the crowd with his greenness and down-to-earth attitude towards everybody else.

I didn't feel sorry, Rocksteddy did rock! (some of) the audience rocked harder! I wanted to rock the hardest but damn, in an ocean of adolescents, I chose not to.



Who cares about the songs? Who cares about the originality? Who cares about musicality? In rak en rol moments like that one, all that mattered was the performance and for me, a good reason to stay late out of the house.


(For more photos from this set, click here.)

Articles: The sweet case of Suitcase 101

by Terence Krishna Lopez

Any Boholano who knows Suitcase 101 can’t help but feel a sense of pride. But those who have seen them grow into what they are now should feel more sense of pride though.

Why not, when these guys composed of Arvin Avergonzado (drums), Venjo Busalla (bass guitars) Alva Duaban (lead guitars) and Adrian Bayron (vocals) definitely has gone a long way, shedding much of their show-band weights, covers days, performing their own compositions, showing the public that they are ready and are ought to be taken seriously.

At least, that’s what I saw when I watched them perform in their victory concert last week along with other local bands who were there to perform and congratulate them.

The band won this year’s Globe Kantabataan, a nation-wide competition for young bands, bringing honor to the province and a spark of hope to the local music scene.

As of press time, the group is in Manila for their first music video, a leg of gigs and other wonderful things as the winner of the competition.

In an interview via internet, the band’s head of operations Justice “Kikoy” Busalla extends the band’s gratitude to the Boholanos for supporting them all throughout the competition. The band also thanks the local bands who stood beside them all the way.

Passion and Dedication
Last week, in a thanksgiving concert party, more than ten local bands of different musicality and genre performed and gave their congratulations to the Suitcase 101, with their groundbreaking performances.

But of course, Suitcase 101 also gave a wonderful performance. In fact, it was a very good performance. The band did hold its own in a room full of up and coming musicians in the province and in fact, for someone who has been following the band, it was a surprisingly wonderful performance. The band did improve so much.
And for them, it is their passion for music that inspires them to becoming a great band. Being into what they are doing, regardless of the different musical influences and the dedication of each member, according to Kikoy is what keeps suitcase 101 standing in the row of bands bound to greatness.

Ray of light for the local scene
With the local scene, the band believes there is a bright hope for the musicians. In fact some of the bands have already earned a considerable audience with their names becoming more popular such as Brownbuds and Estranghero.

Suitcase 101 is proud to say that Boholanos are very talented musicians and that indeed there is a future for the local music scene.

Right, and also, if the local music scene gains enough support from all spectrum and from institutions who are supposed to look into it that the artistry and the talent of its artists are taken good care of.

Finally, Suitcase 101 invites the Boholanos to watch their video on the MYX channel, a proof that the Boholano youth can do productive things. Of course.
Along with their huge victory concert party on December 8 here in the city, the band is doing their rounds of gigs in Manila and today, in Dumaguete City.

Suitcase 101 is enjoying a sweet case of a well-deserved victory, something they have been working hard for.

And of course, if Suitcase 101 did it, so can every one of us with enough maturity, perseverance, dedication and talents at hand.

(This articles also appears in the the November 25 issue of LifestyleBohol.)