Levy Abad's Articles and Poems: March 2017

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Nothing Personal
March 3,2017 The Diversity times
http://thediversitytimes.ca/2017/03/03/new-nothing-personal/

Levy Abad

On the Peace process in the Philippines. “The National Democratic Front of the Philippines,” the Government’s counterpart in the failed peace talks, has expressed optimism that the Duterte administration would return to the negotiating table and work for “All Out Peace” despite the President’s termination of peace talks with communist rebels. Indeed, what a wasted opportunity to resolve the roots of the civil strife in the Philippines through peaceful means. Even former President Fidel V. Ramos and retired Brigadier Gen. Victor Corpus of the Philippine Army who defected to the NPA back in the 1970’s and author of the book “Silent War,” expressed their support for the continuance of the peace talks. Just as the negotiation is entering the crucial phase of addressing the social and economic roots of belligerency, the President terminated the talks and declared All Out War on a movement that fights for “nationalist industrialization and genuine agrarian reform,” free health care and free education, to mention a few. If the President declares All Out War on the left, where does the President stand? Is he taking the rightward drift?

On Total War. During the time of Cory Aquino as President of the Philippines, there were a lot of left wing progressive leaders in the bureaucracy working for genuine change for the people. Even the 1986 Constitution contains progressive provisions that, if implemented with patriotism, will lead to some progressive changes. In the midst of these, the militarist wing launched a series of coups to pressure the Aquino regime to the right and consolidate foreign domination leading to globalization. Out of fear, the regime succumbed and betrayed the people’s agenda by declaring total war against the people's movement. Funny that a Lady President has to be hounded with several coup attempts to turn right, while in the case of the present regime, mere gossip of a coup led to an “All Out War” declaration.

Shock Doctrine. In a short period of time, the Duterte regime is “allegedly involved in 7,000 drug related killings” (Philippines: The Police’s murderous war on the poor) of pushers and addicts who mostly come from the poor. These extra-judicial killings bring a chilling effect into the psyche of the people, inspiring fear and serves as a symbol of supposedly “radical change,” while the social system remains intact and integrated with neo-liberalism. Is this a case of “shock the people” so that they will never resist and instead embrace a neo-liberal agenda?

Anti-American Rhetoric. The President of the Philippines has projected an image of standing up against the United States’ policies verbally while on the other hand, expressed that he needs the military that is oriented towards the US to help him in governance. Where is the stand on independent foreign policy and national sovereignty? I hope this won’t lead to killing more nationalist and patriotic activist.

A SONG FOR YOU by Leon Russell. The passing of Leon Russell before Christmas reminded me of the song “A Song for You,” one of my favourites. From the time I heard it being sung by Chikoy Pura of the Jerks at Mayric’s in España St., Manila, I was drawn to it right away and had ever since learned and performed it at gigs and special occasions, both in the old country and here in Canada. “I’ve been through many places in my life and time, I’ve sung a lot songs and I made some bad rhymes, I’ve acted out my life in stages , with ten thousand people watching , but we’re alone now and I am singing this song for you.” Leon is a legendary artist whom I never met but has impacted my youthful soul back in the 90s to embrace the life of a songwriter.

4-in, 4-out rule for Temporary Foreign Workers is no longer in place, effective immediately. Honorable John McCallum, former Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honorable MaryAnne Mihychuk, former Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour made this announcement on December 13, 2016. According to Ethel Tungohan, Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, York University, “Here’s my take on the removal of the four year in four year out rule. It is through the tenacious efforts of Migrant activists that the rule was removed. This is a testament to the importance of activism in eliciting change. The fight for landed status for all TFW, of course continues” (Source: pinoy-canada.com). Long live migrant activism! Unfortunately, for the two Ministers, after announcing the good news, they were replaced. Why?

Two Richest Canadians have as much wealth as poorest 30 per cent, report says. According to an article by Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press, “Oxpam report says the wealth of billionaire businessmen David Thompson and Galen Weston Sr., equals that of about 11 million Canadians.” Is this for real? Is this happening in so called “Socialist Canada?”

“No one can stop me declaring martial law,” Duterte warns amid escalating drug epidemic (Published time 15 Jan 2017 Reuters). “While earlier the President said that, we had martial law before, what happened? Did it improve our lives now? Not at all.” These conflicting statements are coming from the President of the Philippines, who is a lawyer by profession. During the time of Marcos, the insurgency was still weak that the dictatorship had to fabricate the reason for its declaration. Nowadays, could it be possible that the drug war is only an alibi for attacking the people’s movement, which has already matured and has grown stronger in almost 5 decades of resistance?

On the MPNP. I was discussing the policy changes that the sitting government is planning to implement, like the $500 increase in fees for the MPNP, and somebody told me that I am being political because I mentioned the Premier, as if silence isn’t? Policies implemented by a government reflect the decisions approved by the leadership of the province. How come mentioning the name or naming who’s who, is partisan? How come attacking a policy isn’t? As if policies are ideology free. Is there such a thing as political neutrality when silence can be the ultimate political act?

(Levy Abad is a freelance writer and also a singer songwriter/recording artist and a member of Migrante Canada-Mb chapter and also a founding member/ program coordinator of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum, Levy has released three albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. Levy is soon to release a his fourth album by fall titled "I Love Canada". You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Immortal Sacrament (2008-2016)
Filipino Journal, March 5-20,2017, Volume 31,Number 05
Ano'ng Masasabi Mo? (p.19)
Levy Abad

One of the best Filipino -Canadian Metal bands in Manitoba, Immortal Sacrament, during its heyday in 2012, was comprised of Paul Magnaye (vocals),Marron Versoza (guitar) Niko Guilbang (bass ), Victor "Vic" Bautista (guitar), and Joseph David (drums).

How did Immortal Sacrament start ?

Paul Magnaye provided the answer when I went to interview him in his house on February 10, 2017 about the history of the band. He told me that it started out as L.A.D. back in 2008. Joseph David told me the same information when I asked him what L.A.D stood for. I asked Paul about the meaning of LAD and he jokingly said that it means “Leaving at Dads,” referring to adults who still live with their parents.

L.A.D's original members were the following: Paul Magnaye, Chris Pangan, Joseph David and Michael Borja. LAD, as a band moniker, was kind of a provisional name, since during that time, they were still thinking of a better name. They were able to come up with something better by October 16, 2009. After performing as front act to the Winnipeg concert of the visiting Philippine Alternative Rock band PUPIL, they decided to adopt “Sacrament” as the new name of their band. They also started writing original music.

Joseph David said that it was one of the judges at a local "Battle of the Bands" that they participated in who suggested to change their name. Apparently, Sacrament is a common word, they need something unique. If one would search "Sacrament" online, then the automatic hits would have referred to the religious meaning of the word. Besides, there is already a Metal band named Sacrament (an American band that was formed in 1989, in Pennsylvania, United States) Even the 90s forming American band, Lamb of God might get a hit; its fifth studio album is titled Sacrament. That was enough to convince the guys to add "Immortal" to their name, to make it more unique without sacrificing the name recall that their name Sacrament had already gained in the local scene.

Mid-2009, Chris Pangan and Michael Borja quit the band for personal reasons. Niko Guilbang replaced Borja; Vic Bautista and Marron Versoza became the 1st and 2^nd lead guitars respectively.The name Immortal Sacrament was legitimized in 2011,when they joined the competition “My Band Rocks” at the Dylan O’ Connors Irish Pub,winning three consecutive battles and eventually emerging as the overall winner during the finals, held this time at Henderson Draft House.

In Late 2011, Joseph David left, joining Pangan in another band named Ethnica. Bautista left too - who had to concentrate on his work and family. Magnaye said that afterwards, he and Versoza became the core of the group. By the ensuing year, Immortal Sacrament consisted of Magnaye,Versoza ,Ronnel Villamar on guitars ,and Jolo Mejia on drums. Magnaye also mentioned that the band wanted to acknowledge fellow Filipino musician Mandy Bustarde, for he was the one who introduced Immortal Sacrament to the Metal community and who convinced the organizer of the "My Band Rocks" to give Filipino bands a chance.

David said that the major musical influences of Immortal Sacrament were “System of a Down (SOAD),” “Killswitch Engage,” and “Bullet for My Valentine”. This was reaffirmed by the journalist Alfie Vera Mella,who featured the band, in 2014, in his column "Sa Ugoy ng Musika" in the local community newspapaer Filipino Journal. Asked where they get the songs that they covered, Magnaye said, “We usually cover famous metal songs that get regular airplay on Winnipeg's Rock station Power 97.”

The awesome thing about this band is the fact that they write their own songs. Magnaye and David wrote the songs; and then Bautista started contributing too. I personally listened to some of their songs on their FB page and they really sounded great. It feels like a really wasted talent if they really would not be able to emerge with their original music in the community at large.

On March 8, 2014, Immortal Sacrament performed in Brandon at the North Hill Inn.In addition to that, the band got to perform also at bars and other events such as The Zoo,Ozzy’s (160 Osborne St.), Club3D at Kirkfield Motor Hotel (3317 Portage Avenue), Dylan O’ Connors Irish Pub (2609 Portage Avenue) and Henderson Draft House at Curtis Gordon Motor Hotel (1011 Henderson Highway), Rookies at Central Hotel (201 Melrose Avenue E), The Cavern (112 Osborne Street), Chugfest at Ridgeville, Rock Against Ignorance at West End Cultural Centre and the FAMOUS-produced Pinoy Rock Fest on May 24, 2014, held at Jimel’s International Cuisine (A-1045 St. James St). Aside from this, Alfie’s article also mentioned, “Immortal Sacrament was the winner of the Dylan o’ Connors’ 2011 My Band Rocks competition, performing alongside many of Manitoba’s prime bands.” Mella, in the same article, described Immortal Sacrament aptly as the “Ultimate Filipino –Canadian Metal Band in Manitoba.”

I messaged some of the members of Sacrament to ask for quotes. Pangan's short reply was, “The experience is totally different and new to me. I was never a metal head until Paul (Magnaye) introduced me to the genre and after having watched Slapshock during the Philippine Metal band's concerts in Winnipeg. Furthermore, it was during my time in Immortal Sacrament, when I begun learning how to write original materials. We also had the opportunity to share our music outside the Filipino community, becoming well-received even by non-Filipino Metal music enthusiast. The experience I had was amazing and it also brought out other fledgling Pinoy players hiding in the shadows who also got inspired to start writing their own songs."

Borja:“Our first gig as Immortal Sacrament was at The Cavern in Osborne Village. Nobody knew us. Four Asians playing heavy metal in Winnipeg? This can’t be real, right? People thought that we were a joke, but we proved them wrong. From that night on, we started building connections outside of the Filipino community and invitations started to come.”

In my visit at Paul Magnaye’s home, I asked him for a quote and he said that, “As an artist, one should not stay in one’s comfort zone because music is unlimited. You will never grow if you stay in your comfort zone. One must always explore. I am happy that we were able to help in paving the way for other musicians in the Metal scene.” He added enthusiastically, "It is a great ride,one of the best, having been a part of the music scene."

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Support for Duterte resonates in Winnipeg

Levy Abad
Ang Peryodiko Vol. XV NO.5
March 1-15,2017
Winnipeg ,Manitoba

courtesy of Nelson `Nonie` Manalili

Cold weather did not deter the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines from gathering at the Forks to respond to the call of groups supporting President Duterte to organize a global campaign in solidarity with the homefront, which many people perceive as being destabilized by the opposition forces whom they call "Dilawan" (Yellow).

Around fifty supporters converged with their flags, streamers and a life size picture of "Mayor Digong." It was also an opportunity to discuss the latest developments in the Philippines. They also brought food for the participants to partake.

Simultaneously, in the Philippines, rallies were organized and held in the traditional venues. One group had a rally at the EDSA Shrine where some of the veterans of the EDSA uprising gathered by the thousands. On the other hand, the supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte had their rally at the Quirino Grandstand, which according to Reuters, police estimate that around 200,000 people gathered to show their support for the programs of the Duterte regime against poverty, corruption and illegal drugs ("Duterte`s opponents turn historic event into protest march," Manuel Mogoto, Reuters, February 26, 2017).

I asked Elaine Sauler- Tumbokon, the Winnipeg Manitoba Coordinator for the group - Duterte Winning Team, to give some words about the gathering and this is what she said, "We organized this event to support President Rodrigo Duterte because it is more fun in the Philippines if it is drug free."

Another lady who attended the Forks rally of the Duterte Winnipeg Team is Katya Labelle, who is also from Mindanao and whose mom is from Davao. She was surprised to know that I am from Davao too. Here is what she said, ʺI am here to show my support for the President. Even though I am not in the Philippines, I am proud of what he is doing to make the Philippines better.”

Joel Salazar of Batangas and the President of Talisay Association of Manitoba explained, ʺKahit kami ay nasa abroad, ‘di kami papayag na manahimik kung aatakihin nila ang Pangulong Digong. Si Digong ay ginagawa ang lahat para sa mga mahirap at hindi lang para sa iilan. Ang Pilipinas ay parang taong may cancer at hindi na pwedeng gamutin ng band aid lamang, ang kailangan ay matinding operasyon.ʺ

Edwin Ponce, for his part, said, ʺFeel na feel namin ang malaking pagbabago within 7 months governance. Si Mayor ay ginagawa ang lahat para matuldukan ang mga problema lalo na ang corruption, droga at kahirapan. Itong sa kabila naman, ginagawa ang lahat para patalsikin si Digong. They are doing black propaganda to tarnish the image of the Duterte government.”

Jesus Diotay from Negros, who grew up in Jolo, Sulu, has this message for President Duterte, “Continue with the programs that you are implementing and we will be at your back supporting you along the way. We are also ready to struggle even if we are here in Winnipeg in the midst of the cold weather, we will be supporting you.”

Elmer De Guzman commented, “We are here at the Forks to support President Rodrigo Duterte, and we are also thankful for the changes that Digong did. All the barriers that block the way of Digong have to be cleared.”

Aristotle Cedilla, also from Davao City, explained that he grew up with President Duterte when the latter was still the mayor of Davao City. He said, "Mayor Duterte is a hands-on leader. He responds to the needs of the ordinary people and that is why I support him.”

Last but not the least, Ray Forbes Argulla from Bulacan gave me his brief remark, "Mayor Digong is our President and he is doing well. The “Dilawans” are trying to oust him and so, even if it is freezing, we gathered here to express our support."

As a freelance writer, I went to the Forks thinking that most of the attendees would come from Mindanao or Davao City, in particular, but I was surprised to meet participants who came from different areas of the Philippines as well.

As an EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 participant, I can understand the frustration of the people with the previous regimes of Presidents Corazon Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Fidel Valdez Ramos and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, since these regimes are considered as failures in implementing the promises of the 1987 Freedom Constitution. From 1986 to 2016, thirty years had lapsed and not one of these regimes was able to launched nationalist industrialization and genuine agrarian reform. It is only now under the Duterte administration that some patriotic and progressive individuals were appointed in the Cabinet. Among them are Secretary Judy Taguiwalo (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano (Department of Agrarian Reform), Under-Secretary Joel Maglunsod (Department of Labour and Employment), and Gina Lopez (Secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

The Duterte regime will be buffeted by tremendous pressure coming from the right, as represented by the `Yellow" opposition and the militarist faction in the AFP, to veer absolutely to the right and let go of the patriotic tendency and presence in the Cabinet. We can see that this is happening now when the peace talks have been terminated, making the peace process the first victim of this tremendous pressure. Fortunately, talks are still going on. Aside from Duterte`s programs against corruption and drugs, addressing the root cause of belligerency through socio- economic reforms is the most strategic way in achieving justice and lasting peace.