the living compilation

RAKENROL AFTER PARTY - May 4, 2011 | LAAPFF 2011 | Live Mix by joel quiz

Here is my live (rough) mix from the recent after party for the Rakenrol screening at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on .  Recorded by Un-G (Gary Gabisan).

Courtesy of http://superastig.com/

It’s a jumbled mix of Pinoy Rock, Punk, Soul and Disco.  All vinyl.

Set List:

• Please - Sing A Simple Song
• Mike Hanopol - Laki Sa Layaw
• Pepe Smith - Sa’ Yo
• Urban Bandits - Hoy
• Sampaguita - Easy Pare
• Haji - Stevie Wonder Medley
• Anthony Castelo - Kailangan Ba
• Celeste Legaspi - Pag-Ibig Na Lubus-Lubos
• Tribe - Siggy Siggy
• Barabas - Wild Safari
• Black Opinion - Bahay Yugyugan
• Soul Jugglers - Hanggang Magdamag
• Ella Del Rosario - Shake It Baby
• The Skyflakes - Meathead

photos by Gary Gabisan

The after-party for the US premier of Quark Henares’ RAKEROL.

The film screens at the 2011 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on Wednesday, May 4, 7pm ( http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/rakenrol_2011 ) in Koreatown LA.

The after-party is at the Far Bar in Little Tokyo at 9pm - http://superastig.com/.  DJ’s include the Writer/Director Quark Henares and Writer Diego Castillo.  Also featuring Un-G and joel quiz (The Living Compiltion/Joel Quizon).  

Filipino music takes over LA for one night.  Be a part of it!

flyer by Gary Gabisan

PINOY GROOVE EXPERIENCE (Philippine Popular Music Revisited):

Juan De La Cruz “Himig Natin” (1973)

Juan De La Cruz Band ushered in the Pinoy Rock revolution of the late 60’s and 70’s. Their heavy psychedelic blues rock reinvigorated the local rock music scene during Martial Law and eventually help spawn Philippine Disco, Pinoy Folk, Punk and OPM (Original Pilipino Music). Like all iconic bands, they had line up changes, but eventually Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzales would comprise the Juan De La Cruz we know today. With songs in Tagalog and speaking of the troubles of the country while being proudly nationalistic, Juan De La Cruz spoke clearly and raucously to a generation of Filipinos and influenced a nation of musicians.

Record collectors worldwide have sought the original vinyl pressings of UP IN ARMS, HIMIG NATIN and MASKARA. Ebay prices reaching in the $400-$500. Regardless of this interest, they are still not recognized internationally, nor do I feel they have been given even enough credit in the Philippines.

“Himig Natin” is the landmark title track of their 2nd record in 1973 and the first with the line up that would put Juan De La Cruz at the head of the pantheon of Pinoy Rock. A clarion call of unity and compassion, “Himig Natin” is a somber, dreamy piece that eventually reaches cathartic heights with its simple yet evocative lyrics and Gonzales’s stirring guitar solo. This song’s message gets more relevant as the Filipino diaspora disconnects us more, whether geographically, culturally, politically and economically.  

Message aside, it’s a timeless, passionate, atmospheric piece that will conjure strong emotions from anyone who allows themselves to be taken by its beauty.

This is the anthem of Pinoy Rock and one of the greatest songs ever recorded in the Philippines.

Lyrics roughly translated in English:

I’m alone and no one with me. I can’t see any hope for us. Our melody and our song so that we can come together in the highest of hope.

I have a friend and they are having trouble. Are you all ready to help. You should sing our hymn so that we can all be together in the highest of hope.

THE MIXTAPE

1. MASKARA - Juan De La Cruz Band
2. HIMIG NATIN - Juan De La Cruz Band
3. UP IN ARMS - Juan De La Cruz Band
4. ANAKBAYAN - Anakbayan
5. MASDAN MO AN KAPALIGIRAN - Asin
6. FLORANTE - Florante
7. ANAK - Freddie Aguilar
8. “Tao” - Sampaguita