February 5, 2006
20uno ating (h)istorya
Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio
September 2005. The practices for the opening of the University of the Philippines Baguio’s (UPB) Sports Intrams were very intense. Integration and support for the worker miners of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company were continuously asked from all sectors all over Baguio. Amid all the work Tanghalang ng Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (Tabak-Baguio) faced, one of their founders visited and looked through the organization’s present activities. Manny Palo, a budding television and independent film director, suggested that Tabak should compile their original songs into a musical album.
After all the necessary arrangements were made with the recording studio and some financial sources, Manny Palo went back to India where he is taking further film studies. The organization had mixed anxiety and excitement upon the idea. Pressure to put up their very first album beat with every breath they took. “Could we pull it off?” bugged the members’ thoughts every single day.
Assistance from another founding member, Carol Galvez, was very helpful. The recording went through many rough roads. Nervousness filled the recording booth. Some singers fall one note short. Musicians come off key. “Amateurs, simply amateurs,” is what some people think when they knew of Tabak’s first recording attempt.
Compilations from 1980s to 2000s
Awit ng Peti-Burges (lyrics and music by Bong Ramilo, another founding member)
May panahong magduda’t magtanong/ Ngayo’y panahon ng pagharap at pagsulong/ Pagtatanong ay wag lubayan/ Tunggalian ay walang katapusan
This depicts reality which to choose – a life with the masses or the once-luxurious bourgeois lifestyle. This song resolves the question with the use of a counterpoint “May buhay na sa baya’y inilaan/ Kalayaan ay bigyan ng daan.”
Ka Ramon (lyrics and music by Bong Ramilo)
Ang pawis at dugo ay nagsasama/ Sa pagbubungkal ng lupang di kanya/ Bunga ng lakas ay inaagaw ng iba/… ituon ang lakas sa paglikha/ Ng malayang bukas, Ka Ramon
Ka Ramon is about a farmer waking up even before the sun is up, going home when the stars begin to come out in the sky. The song calls on all who have been robbed of their land and freedom to unbind themselves from the shackles of oppression.
Hanap Ko [Pagod] (lyrics and music by Bong Ramilo)
Hanap ko’y umahon sa gitna ng unos/ …Pagod man ako’y di mananahimik/ Pagod man ako’y muling iimik
When activists go through crossroads whether to stop or pursue the struggle is always the question. Just like Awit ng Peti-Burges, this song could serve an inspiration to those questioning their faith in the mass movement.
Pauwi sa Amin (lyrics and music by Bong Ramilo)
Isang taon na lang at sana’y tapos na/ May uwi ng diploma/ Kahapon dumating ang sulat ni Ama/ “Anak,” sabi niya, “Ika’y umuwi na/ Ikinalulungkot ko walang padala/ Ngunit ang ani’y kulang pa sa upa”
Education serves as the hope to alleviate a family’s life from the worsening economic crisis. This song tells of a story of a young student, a year shy from graduating, called by the father to help them in the fields instead of studying. True to today’s most common problem, the youth are deprived of their privilege to be educated.
Hinihintay (lyrics and music by Bong Ramilo)
Nagmamadali sa pag-uwi/ kahit ‘di pa tapos ang paggawa/ Maduduyan pa ba hanggang mahimbing?/… Nagtataka/ Hinihintay masaid ang luha/ Ang panganay ayaw nang umubo
The child is considered the most precious thing for any parent. As the old Filipino saying goes, “Di bale ako na ang mauna, huwag lang ang anak ko” (As the parent, I don’t mind I pass away first, just as death spares my child). This is a song of a parent losing the child because of scarce money to buy medicine. To everyone who is softhearted, this song will surely become a tearjerker.
Bayan Bayan Ko (lyrics and music by Peachy de Vera)
Bayan, bayan ko/ Kumilos ka at sama-sama sa pag-alsa/ Walang magbubulag-bulagan/ Walang magbibingi-bingihan/ Sa problema ng bayan/ Pagkilos ang kailangan
This upbeat song with the messages of efficient change in the society will definitely catch your attention. When you listen to this, you do not only enjoy its musicality but the message of taking part in altering our corrupt society.
Awit ni Concepcion (lyrics and music by Toto Colongon)
Akala ko ay sapat nang nag-iisa/ Nakakamit ang luho at malaya/ Ngunit nagising daigdig ko’y nagungulila/ Ganito pala ang mag-isa
Originally made for a lovestruck friend, this song somehow finds a way to each person’s heart. Especially when you feel you have nobody to share your thoughts and feelings with, you could possibly relate with this song.
Iisa ang Pintig (lyrics and music by Peachy de Vera)
Awitin ko’y alay sa masa/ Nagpapaabot ng diwa, ng tuwa, ng sigla/ Damdaming taglay ng puso ko, binuhay niyo/ Prinsipyong taglay ng puso ko, pinanday niyo.
Nothing is more fulfilling than seeing the people you organize and mobilize become aware of their rights. This song is enough said for whom the struggle is for.
Panalangin sa mga Dukhang Pinagpala [Sa Kamay ng mga Kaaway*] (lyrics by Bernadette Neri and music* by Bong Ramilo]
Ama ng kasaysayan, Ina naming lumikha/ Gabayan niyo po kaming mga dukhang pinagpala/Sa paglikha ng aming kasaysayan/Ang muling pag-angkin sa aming yaman at kalayaan
This is not actually a song but a poetry performance accompanied by indigenous instruments and piano. This, as the album’s first track, opens the world of prayers in a different light.
Pakikibaka ‘70 (lyrics and music by Blou-Jean Fangon Melegrito with Tabak’s music pool)
Lumabas sa kalsada/Hinaing ay ihiyaw na/ Bawiin ang kapangyarihan/Sa mapanupil na pamahalaan/ Makibaka, magbarikada/ Patungo sa demokrasya
Inspiration delved from the struggle of 1970s, the song summons all people from all walks of life to participate and contribute in the society’s transformation into a more equitable living.
Himig ng Alyansa (lyrics and music by Stan Robias, Gelo Guison & Blou-Jean Melegrito; re-arranged by Hanna Krishna Callora & JV Dalangin)
Musmos na kaisipa’y may bahid ng banyaga/ Husay at talino, pananamantala/ Mamulat ka, Kumilos ka/ Buhay mo’y ialay sa pakikibaka
Just like Pakikibaka ’70, this calls on the youth to get involved in changing history. As one student leader said, “It is better that the youth miss one class than miss making history in the struggle.”
Tanghalan (lyrics by Gelo Guison and music by Stan Robias)
Alay sa karamihang api/ Tunog at tono ay iaalay ko/ Titik at pluma ng pagbabago/ Sayaw at galaw, kulay at ilaw/ Patuloy na magtatanghal
This is the album’s cast song. It speaks of the theater organization’s pools, and how these are maximized in arousing, organizing and mobilizing the masses.
POST SCRIPT
To all who have doubted their ability, this album, “20uno” proves they can manage very well any difficulty and apprehensiveness. They will pursue serving the masses, as they always bear their principle “Sining mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa” (Art from the Masses, For the Masses). They are finally launching their album on February 9, 2006 at the UPB Bulwagang Luna auditorium (moved from February 1 for some technical problems).
For more information, contact them at tabakbaguio@yahoo.com, while their website is under construction.#
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