MFSF 2017: Filipino`s Way of Giving Back

Levy Abad

courtesy of MFSF

It has been another successful year for the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, where thousands of folks came to appreciate the multiculturalism  of the province. Now on its 6th year, the MFSF continues to showcase Filipino culture through dance, music, food, costume and the thousands of smiles as its way of giving back to the province, home to 80 thousand  Filipinos.

As an ordinary worker, I deeply appreciate the tireless effort of the leaders of the MFSF chairperson Aida Champagne, Ley Navarro and Jun Isla, organizers and volunteers who helped in making the event a successful one.  Just going around with my friends Henry Heller, Professor of History at the UofM and Pablo Herrera, chair of Las Americas and Chilean Human Rights Council, made me forget all the stresses of life, which an industrial society can cause. Truly, the Filipino diaspora appreciates this successful event where people gather, meet and celebrate life.

As a social activist, one should not only appreciate the federal and international dimensions of the struggle but should also comprehend the simple wish of ordinary people to have fun through dance and music and this is where basic cultural activism comes into play. I deeply appreciate leaders who immerse themselves in this event selflessly just to be with the people who are not centred on ideologies and political tendencies. As what the poem of Lao Tze said back in 360 BC, “go in search of your people, love them, learn from them, plan with them, serve them, begin with what they know and build on what they have.....”

Just like in the last MFSF 2016, UNIFOR MB, CUPE MB, and MGEU were once again present in solidarity with the Filipino community.  They marched in the parade and also had their booths along Broadway in appreciation of the community’s effort to give back and show its colour so that the people will know where the community is coming from.  The Filipino community appreciates the labour movements’ contribution for building a Manitoba with health care and other social safety nets which serves  ordinary Filipino folks too .

courtesy of Nelson "Nonie" Manalili 

I cannot help but be proud of my people knowing that as first and second generation immigrants we take on heavy burdens by having two jobs to save and still muster strength to sacrifice time by organizing events like this. The different associations in the Filipino community participated by making beautiful floats to represent their respective provinces in the Philippines.  Along Memorial Boulevard, you will smell the scent, see and taste the different recipes that the community can offer.

When I arrived at the scene, the first performer I heard was Arnold Tongol  of Traffikk Jamm who was covering Versace on the Floor by Bruno Mars, who as many of us know, is half-Filipino. Even my sound engineer friend said that Arnold ``has the pipes.``  He really did justice to the song.  Later in the afternoon, another brother Rodel Olesco performed my song “You and Me.”  I am grateful to Bobit Nepomuceno for arranging the song as well as to the MFSF sound engineer Chris Brett of Audioworks for providing a great mix. What a day when the stars all aligned and things happen favourably. Best birthday gift I ever had as a songwriter /composer.  Also included in the program were Sayan Project, Suban Band, Quarter 2, Emogen Ventura, Vina Dimayuga, Dolly Urtal-Atillo of the Ragdolls and the 12/21 Band. The music and the colours of the day were awesome and reflective of the cultural influences of the Filipino community.

From the inception of the MFSF up to the present, I have witnessed the challenges of building the organization and deeply appreciate the heavy responsibility that the leaders took on their shoulders throughout the six gruelling years of gathering people and resources to sustain the endeavor. I would like to express my gratefulness to the leadership for always allowing me to be a part of the performances as it gives me a chance to sing songs that tell about the journey and struggles of our people. I hope that the present leadership who has already proven its capacity will not relinquish their responsibility until an able set of new leaders is ready to take on the task.  Looking forward to another great year of the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival. May God bless us all!

After Touch: Winnipeg’s Top Band of the 90’s (Part 2)

Levy Abad 
The Diversity Times , August 10,2017

Some Testimonies

Most of the performances of After Touch were with visiting famous artists from the Philippines. As mentioned in the first part of my article, the band members are known to be able to read notes and so it was easy for them to session with visiting Philippine artists. When Rey Valera arrived in Winnipeg, he asked After Touch to session and gave the group two days to prepare. I have noticed this talent first hand when I performed with Jojo as a sessionist during the MYMP and Jireh Lim’s concerts here in the Peg. Jojo can easily master the pieces since he can read notes, compared to musicians who have to listen and study the song first. Jojo is also a versatile musician. He can play bass guitar, rhythm guitars and play lead. He can also do lead and back-up vocals.  Jojo’s background can be traced to folk Rock and country music, but he is also open to a wide variety of genre. He is equally able to arrange and lead as he did with earlier bands that he formed here in the Peg.

When I asked Jon Jon Natoc for a testimony, he said that he and his brother Ricky Natoc were greatly influenced by Frank Urbano in terms of their musicality. He furthered that when they became part of After Touch, what they knew before about music was just basic, but under the influence of Frank Urbano, they took a qualitative leap. Jon Jon noted that they were challenged by Frank to excel and do research to further develop themselves as musicians. Jon pointed out that being with After Touch was one of the best parts of his life where his self-esteem was really boosted and his confidence was developed.

Jon Jon Rigor Natoc on Keys

This level of musicality that they have reached also has a bearing on their musical craft.  I have listened to some of the materials of After Touch and the tracks sound awesome. The materials or tracks were mixed by Paul Morrow. Unfortunately, they were not released. Anyway, I am still hoping that these materials will be recovered and launched one day as it is a part of the Filipino community’s spirit of the 1990’s.  I asked Jon Jon if they had originals and he mentioned a couple of songs like “Kaibigan,” which lyrics were written by Jojo Yso, music and arrangement were done by Frank Urbano. Another song was “Buti na lang,” lyrics/music by Jonjon Natoc and arranged by the whole band.  Last but not the least is their third song titled “Ilaw ng Pasko,” which is frequently played by CKJS during Christmas. This song was written and arranged by Frank Urbano.

Jon Jon Natoc explained that when After Touch was not doing sessions, they usually cover a variety of songs, mostly Top 40. In terms of genre, he added that they are mainly RnB, Pop, Jazz among others.

Places where the band performed

Jojo named some of the prestigious places where After Touch performed.  The band performed twice at the Concert Hall, four times at the Pantages and five or more at the Burton Cummings. Jojo recalls that whenever After Touch does a concert, they can easily muster an audience of 500. To be able to attract a huge crowd in the community back in the 90s, is indeed a great feat.  Unlike the earlier bands like Cobra of Butch Jularbal or Jade band that performed outside Winnipeg, After Touch was mostly involved in big performances in the City, often catering to Filipino audience.

Hoping for a Reunion

After playing as a group for several years, After Touch members parted ways in 2011. It was not until 2016 that some of After Touch members started to perform again in QPAM’s event under the band name HEXXA. The drummer in this particular event was Joseph David and the vocalist was Arlene Samaniego.   This gig was followed by a planned performance at the Octoberfest that was organized by Winnipeg’s Filipino Beer Fest and Vocal Arts  Centre of Jose “Bobbit” Nepomuceno. Unfortunately, the plan did not materialize. A lot of people who know the quality of the band’s performances were a bit frustrated, but they are still hopeful that one of these days, the group will have a reunion and give the community their best show.

Outsiders’ view

Hanging out in the different malls and restaurants frequented by compatriots, I learned that even the seniors in the community have something good to say about After Touch.  Mar Cadiz, a friend and a regular of La Merage Restaurant told me that After Touch was really excellent and was really admired back in the 90s in Winnipeg’s growing Filipino community. Arnold Tongol, a friend crooner of the Band Traffikk Jamm and a senior marketing director of WFG has this to say, “Watching After Touch Band is like watching a complete sound/music and the vocal harmonies are top notch. If you close your eyes, it is like listening to a pre-recorded music.” To this description the only thing that I can say is, Wow!

I’ve been writing articles and chronicling the Filipino bands of Winnipeg from the early 70’s.  It will be a great disservice to miss out on After Touch as a premiere band of the Filipino community. I cannot claim that this article is exhaustive as this is just an overview of the band’s story, but somebody has to start the process of gathering information and putting it on record to be remembered. It is my hope that other writers will share in raising the musicians’ stories to a literary level. To paraphrase a famous statement of an Asian revolutionary and poet, “A people without culture is a dull witted people.”

(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 four albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. and  "Tara ng Maglakbay"( June2017). You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).

Free Francisca Linconao:  Resistimos!
Levy Abad 

source: midiacoletiva.org

Seemingly, small events such as a forum of a hundred people may be perceived insignificant by the eye of the unconscientisized, but to anybody who understands the process of building a movement, it is a small step that can lead to change.  A month ago, I have no knowledge whatsoever about Francisca Linconao until I was invited by Pablo Herrera and Simon Baer to a meeting to discuss about indigenous struggles here in Canada and around the world.  It was suggested that we talk about Francisca Linconao.

I learned from this meeting that Francisca Linconao is an indigenous spiritual leader from the Mapuche tribe (the largest indigenous group in Chile), who was imprisoned for resisting “Neoliberalism’s encroachment on ancestral lands through the construction of dams, highways”, mining and what not.  If a national symbol like Francisca Linconao, a spiritual leader, can be jailed for standing up for the Mapuche, what about the fate of ordinary grassroot activists who tirelessly organize in the locality and are usually ignored by corporate media. Researching on YouTube, I found a lot of branding, surveillance and imprisonment done by the state security forces against Mapuche Indigenous activists. According to the article of Luis Campos Munoz, “there are now over 100 Mapuche political prisoners in Chilean jails, many of whom are members of the Arauco-Coordinator (CAM), a Mapuche organization made up of 160 indigenous communities.”  All this reminds me of the same struggles of the Lumads of Southern Philippines in resisting global mining corporations.

My curiosity about Francisca Linconao helped me understand that “the Mapuche have been credited as being the only native-American to have successfully resisted the conquest of the Spanish Empire, due in part to their guerilla like military strategy, high adaptability and largely decentralized political system. The Arauco War between  the Spanish colonial forces and the Mapuche begun in1550, almost a decade after the arrival of the Spaniards in 1841, and according to contemporary historians, lasted for more than a century, transitioning to a more subtle and intermittent conflict, which lasted up until 1883” (Tobias Sean -Fontecilla).

Any rudimentary understanding of Capitalism teaches that “it must expand or die.”  In the book lent to me by Henry Heller, “The Blood Of Extraction : Canadian Imperialism in Latin America “ by Todd Gordon and Jeffrey R. Webber, I was shocked  to learn about the policies  that guide the government  in its approach to Latin America and Chile, in particular. This book reminded me of the outcome of nationalist, progressive or worse, socialist government that tried to chart an independent course of development during the time of the CIA-backed coup d'état against Salvador Allende for instance, who was a Socialist. In the Philippines, Gina Lopez, the only progressive Environment Secretary ever appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte, was rejected by the comprador-dominated Commission of Appointments of Congress for her firm stand to protect the environment in areas where most of the indigenous communities are concentrated. She was replaced by a former General.

In the 70’s, neo-liberalism became a popular concept. It was for a time referred to as globalization in the Philippines where it means liberalization of policies or dismantling of protective measures. When people, led by movements adhering to socialist ideology, resists in a comprehensive way, the fangs of monopoly capital counter by eliminating the activists or prophets of the people, branding them as enemies of the state. After 9/11, no matter how legitimate the issues were, came the blanket terrorist tag. In Chile however, this reactionary measure happened earlier with “the counter terrorist act formulated in 1984 under the Pinochet military dictatorship, in order to more efficiently control and repress the opposition.”  In 2001, the Counter-Terrorist Act was subjected to reform in order to accommodate the “Mapuche problem” (Chile’s biased Counter- Terrorist laws by Tobias Sean Fontecilla).  This act is the reactionary basis of the Francisca Linconao's case where she was branded as engaging in terrorist activities. What happened to the so called restoration of Democracy in Chile?  Hence, in the face of the comprehensive attacks on people's rights, the communities must go on organizing consciousness-raising events as a form of resistance and not slumber. No matter how small the effort, the struggle must go on.

Meeting and discussing about indigenous issues is good, but in the long term worthless, if not matched by action. Any seed must touch the ground in order to grow. Karl Marx  in his “Eleven Theses on Feuerbach“ said, “Philosophers have  only interpreted the world, in various ways.  The point, however, is to change the world.” The simple idea must be concretized into a forum where significant discussions occur. We were fortunate to have the following as our guests in the forum, Radhika Desai, a professor and author of the book “Geopolitical Economy” who spoke on Neoliberalism and its impact on Indigenous rights, Wanda Luna Galdames who presented the Chilean Perspective and Peter Kulchysky, professor and author of the “Indigenous Rights are not Human Rights”, who discussed Mapuche Issues and Struggles.  Henry Heller, another author ( The Birth of Capitalism, A Twenty-First-Century Perspective ) , delivered a poem by Berttolt Brect. The speakers analyzed the issues from the global perspective down to the local level to crystallize understanding and pave the way for further solidarity with the Mapuche struggle.

Source: Vancouver Media Coop

Aside from the speeches, it was also interspersed with songs not as entertainment, but culturally to
reinforce the message and rouse the listeners to care and move to organize and resist. Reflecting on history of the social movements of the 60s to the 90s, cultural forms of education were quite effective in rousing the people to participate in movements for change. The participation of Johsa Manzanilla , a singer songwriter and human rights activist, together with Maree Rodriguez, who delivered “spoken word “ piece,  is important in raising awareness about the issue. Acts of solidarity by Zully Trujillo, who recited a poem and also Francisco Valenzuela, who expressed a message of solidarity, are equally commendable. The event ended up with the song “Imagine” by John Lennon performed by Jason Schreyer, who is also a great artist and performer.

 Admirable was the role of some members of the academe for their collective effort in making the Francisca Linconao event possible.  Thanks to grassroots organizers like Pablo Herrera and Simon Baer of Las Americas and Chilean Human Rights Council, a founding organization of Winnipeg Multicultural Human Rights Forum or WMHRF, Migrante Manitoba, Ana Vergara of the Winnipeg Chilean Association and its cultural branch “Grupo Quidel” and to Johanna Quintana of the Manitoba Chilean Association with its cultural arm “Grupo Rumel”, Ian Desales of Serve The People-Winnipeg and Ali Saaed of the Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP) and one of the founding members of WMHRF, for supporting the forum. Simon Baer also asserted that Pablo Herrera was instrumental in the organizing of the event. He networked with many of his Chilean comrades and friends and invited huge number of people to participate. Without his hard work and commitment, our event would not have been as successful. 

So, what's happening next?  The Francisca Linconao committee will continue on drumbeating the issue and write a series of articles revolving around the struggles of the Mapuche of Chile.  Anybody interested is welcome to join the forum for change. The hope is to slowly organize a movement for change with a clear perspective towards contributing in building a just society through solidarity, ever weary of movementism that serves as a tail and subtle instrument of imperialism and its monstrous neoliberal facade.

(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 four albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3.and for June 2017 ,"Tara ng Maglakbay". You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).

After Touch: Winnipeg’s Top Band of the 90’s (Part 1 )

Levy Abad
The Diversity Times
 July 2017,Vol 6, No.7

The Prime band of the 90’s

After Touch Band 

After Touch was a premiere band of the Filipino community during the early 90s. It was formed after the band Exodus, whose members were Jojo Yso, Ronald Legaspi, JonJon Rigor Natoc, Frederick “Ricky” Natoc, Jun Magnaye and Willy Liwanag, disbanded.

In our phone conversation (March 18, 2017), Jojo Yso told me that it was in September 1993 that After Touch was formed. Jojo shared that a lot of musicians wanted to be members of After Touch and that they usually get paid during that time (between 1993 to 2012), a thousand per gig.

Where it all started?

Jojo Yso recalls that he was approached by the Alcera Family and Tita Zeny Gonzales of Richway Insurance, who were the producers of the show (Super Live Concert) if he has a band, and in particular, musicians who are adept at reading notes. The context during this time, according to Jojo, was Exodus just got disbanded as Jun Magnaye had to migrate to the U.S with his family. Jojo explained, “I started calling up prospects for the sessionistas. I first phoned JonJon Natoc (keys) to ask him if he reads notes and if he wants to play with me in a concert. Then I called Ricky Natoc (drums). I also tried to call Willy and asked him if he is familiar with reading music sheets to which he replied he doesn’t.  Back then I used to play with Frank Urbano at St. Edward’s Church where he was the bass player. I remember he would bring music sheets then when we play together.  So I called him and asked  if he is interested in playing with a group of Pinoy musicians and told him about the upcoming concert and Frank accepted my invitation” (J.Yso, May 22, 2017).

The first meeting of this band took place at the house of Austin Natoc, who I usually refer to as Kuya Boy, also a musician. Kuya Boy Natoc is the father of JonJon and Frederick ``Ricky`` Natoc who are the founding members of After Touch.  Basically, Jojo Yso is the initiator of After Touch.

Sessionistas

Jojo shared that After Touch was formed as a sessionist band in the September 1993 “SUPERLIVE concert” for Ogie Alcasid, Rachel Alejandro, Raymond Lauchengco and Lou Veloso. Jojo continued, “In 1994, a concert titled “Sama-sama Together,“ spearheaded by CKJS,  featured performances of our talents and fronted by Neil Cruz and a few other performers.  In 1995, the group performed at the World Beat concert. Another concert was organized by Vigcor Music School in 1997 where After Touch performed. From 1996 to 2001, After Touch performed at Famous organized concerts. The first solo concert of the band, “A Night with the After Touch,” was held on February 16, 2002.  Also in this same year, After Touch sessioned with Rey Valera, Vehnee Saturno and Nadine Roxas. Another fundraising event for the PCCM titled “Building Together” happened at the Centennial Concert Hall where After Touch sessioned for Ma-Anne Dionisio of Miss Saigon. In November 24, 2002, After Touch also performed as an opening act for Ariel Rivera’s Canadian Tour at the Pantages.  Come 2007, Jaya, Basil Valdez and Willie Nepomuceno did a concert and After Touch either performed as front act or as sessionist. They sessioned for Erik Santos (2009) and for Allan K., Pokyaw and Gisselle Sanchez (2010). Just looking at the line-up of famous artists from the Philippines that After Touch sessioned with, is really significant. Most of these famous artists travel with their managers who are meticulous on how they would sound on stage. I, myself, a low profile artist, is really ticked whenever the audio is mediocre, so how much more with these professionals. All this proves that After Touch was indeed Winnipeg’s premiere band from the 90`s up to early 2000’s.

After Touch Members

After Touch members were: Jojo Yso, the founder (acoustic and lead guitars), Frank Urbano (bass player band leader and arranger), Jun Urbano (second keys),  Jon Jon Natoc ( 1^st keys and who mixed for the band after Frank Urbano), Frederick “Ricky” Natoc (drums) Darius Dandan (saxophone player), Maui Zamora  (percussionist doing bongos ,conga etc ).

What with the Band’s name?

Curious about the band’s name, I asked Jojo Yso where the name After Touch came from. He said that it was a group’s choice. In simple terms, he explained that when one taps a keyboard then presses it, a sound is produced called the After Touch.  Another anecdote was relayed by Jon Jon Natoc that back in the 90`s, After Touch was usually referred to by Famous members as the “Side A Band of Winnipeg.” Side A is a famous band in the Philippines. Even Archie Castillo, Ariel Rivera’s musical director, compared the band to Side A, South Border and Freestyle.

 The leader of the band

Jojo Yso commented that Frank Urbano is a versatile musician. He is a competent bassist and also knows how to play the piano. Before joining After Touch, Frank was a member of an Italian band that was famous in the community.  Even when Frank was still in the Philippines, he was already a well-known musician. Jon Natoc described Frank as really a great musician who also plays the Trombone. Frank belonged to a family of musicians. His father is known in the community as a superb musician, according to an equally good senior musician drummer Joe Ynot. Frank’s older brother Tito Urbano, as stated by Jon Jon, was a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music and is a contemporary of Ryan Cayabyab, a legendary musician in the Philippines. Jojo even shared that Elizabeth Ramsey, a famous comedian and singer, even tried to recruit Frank to be a member of her band.

There are more interesting information about this premiere band of the 90s, which will be featured in the next issue.

(I would like to thank Jojo Yso and Jon Jon Natoc who supplied important information including the years when Philippine artists visited and performed in Winnipeg.) 

(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 four albums , Canadian Experience Vol. 1 (iTunes ), Never Give Up and Rhythms of Compassion CanEx 3. and  "Tara ng Maglakbay"( June2017). You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).

 

Jhayzon Paredes: Rocker Entrepreneur
Filipino Journal, April 5-20 ,2017
Anong Masasabi mo? Vol.31,Number 07
Levy Abad

Many of those who are  familiar with the rock and roll scene of Winnipeg's Filipino community most likely know Jason "Jhayzon" Paredes as a rakista and founder of three bands in the 90s, namely: Palitaw (1994-2004), FOURSIGHT (2004-2011) and Fhamathou (2012-2016). Also a founding member of Filipino Association of Musicians and Other Unknown Artists (FAMOUS), Paredes conceptualized the website of  Pinoy Musikeros of Winnipeg - an artists' webpage where musicians can show their prowess and  initiated 204 Live Music" on Facebook as a venue for artists in the community to post their live performances. 

Recently, Paredes launched a music video of his song "Iisa Lamang". He will be releasing also  his EP titled Nasaan Ka Man, (Wherever you are) featuring songs like "Asahan,"  "Bakit Pa?," "Nasaan Ka Man," "Droga," "Iisa lamang," 'Di Nakakatuwa," "Pagbabago" and "Sinayang." These materials can be found online at www.jaizendesign.com.

Jason the Entrepreneur. There is more to Jason Paredes that some people do not know about. Not only a rakista singer-song writer, he is  also an entrepreneur. Paredes is one of the partners (the other one being James Haryett) and founders of JJ Cabinet Warehouse  (406 Pacific Avenue corner Ellen Street). According to Paredes,JJ  Cabinet Warehouse started  in 2011. On the first floor is their show room where quality cabinets are on display. In the basement, Paredes set-up his music studio where his musician friends hang out, unwind and jam. Despite  the success of their business, both Paredes and  Haryett are both down to earth. They prefer donning casual attire, nothing fancy or forced executive wannabe get-ups. Whenever I go there, Jason does not fail to say hi; none of those "deadma mode" assumed by the “hard to get”- snobbish type corporate bosses. Paredes and I would usually talk about writing songs, plans of producing an album, or organizing a concert to make the community happy.

JJ Cabinet Warehouse Touring the warehouse, I asked Paredes what led him to this business. He explained that he worked for the owner of the business for more than ten years as a web designer. Along the way,  he learned the different aspects of the trade until the owner, Morton Sparber, decided to gradually turn-over the running of the business to Haryett . Eventually, Paredes and Haryett, who, by the way, also plays guitar and likes siopao (steamed pork or beef bun), took over the business and repackaged it as JJ Cabinet Warehouse. Paredes said, business is doing good.  “We are getting good deals lately and producing, selling, and installing a lot of products.” One time, Paredes took me with him to deliver cabinets and over lunch, we discussed Rock and Roll and business.

Browsing through JJ Cabinet Warehouse’s web page, I found an article that best describes JJ Cabinet Warehouse products. JJ Cabinets Promotional material states that, “For many, the kitchen can still be the hub of the family. And it can be  beautiful when the cabinets are attractive and functional.”  As a homeowner myself, I can imagine having  JJ Cabinet's quality products in my kitchen.

Quality is of paramount importance in their business. Their construction features include first and foremost, three-quarter-inch plywood boxes, solid wood doors and drawers, which are also full extension and dovetail construction. Second, interior and exterior of entire cabinet and drawers are stained with the same colour as the cabinet doors. Then comes the choice of the three popular traditional colours; maple, cherry, cappuccino (with more colour options available).

Knowing Jason as a Rakista in the community, I am really amazed by Jason’s profile as a business owner and partner.  Furthermore, Haryett explained, “We priced one of our kitchens at about $2,900 and the same kitchen with the same specs from a larger home retailer was $12,000.  You may get  a kitchen from somewhere for close to the same price as ours, but you would be sacrificing a lot of extras and quality”.

"I really can't complain about life"' I asked  Rocker-cum- entrepreneur Paredes where he gets his energy and what keeps him going. He said, “I really can’t complain about life even if  I had experienced some hard times; for example, I was very young when I lost my sibling and my father.  Nowadays, if I have success in my chosen path in life, then I am happy to share that with my family and friends in the community.”  He added,  “In life, one has to be patient and persistent and just go on because everything that you sow in life will grow and bear fruit one day.”

(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.).

Rock of Edges (2006 to 2017)

Levy Abad
The Diversity Times  , 
April 2017 , Vol.6 No.4

The Beginnings of the Band

Rommel , Mandy , Al, and Brian

Rock of Edges, formerly known as Rock of Ages, is a Filipino-Canadian band. According to Al Federis, they changed their name into Rock of Edges in the Fall of 2016. The band plays classic Rock. The members are Norman “Mandy” Bustarde (bass guitar), Al Federis (rhythm, lead guitar and back-up vocals), Brian De Nieva (lead guitar) and Rommel Torres (vocals).  Rock of Edges is known in the Filipino Rock and Roll scene as a touring band, as most of their weekend gigs are outside Manitoba. These guys cover songs of Guns and Roses, Bon Jovi, CCR, Metalicca, ACDC, Kid Rock, Led Zeppelin and Queen.  When I called Al Federis last September 3, 2016, the band was in Thompson, Manitoba for a two-day gig. Rock of Edges has performed at the Beer Fest on October 1 and 2, 2016 at PCCM. The festival was organized by the Winnipeg Filipino Beer Festival and Vocal Arts Centre whose CEO is Jose “Bobbit” Nepomuceno. I asked Al  to share names of places where they have performed  and here are some of them:  Neon Lights  (Canadiana Hotel, 1400 Notre Dame), United Tavern (2100 McPhillips), St. Joe’s Garage (103 Bond St.), KABAYAN  64 (Keewatin St.), Brooklands Inn (97 Keewatin St., Club) and  St. B. Bar and Grill (171 Dumoulin St.).  Al added that Rock of Edges performed at the Fall Music Festival at St. Andrews on August 26, 2016.

Some interesting facts about the band members

Mandy Bustarde, the founder and band leader, started playing the guitar when he was in high school. He confided that he had no band experience in the Philippines but he gained the same mainly here in Winnipeg. His first gig was with a band called Wreckless from 1987 to 1997 (FB interview).

Rommel Torres, the vocalist of Rock of Edges who works at Deer Lodge and been a wedding singer for eight years  and a DJ  prior to being a member of the band, commented, “It’s always exciting, especially when you see all the audience having such a wonderful  time and fun singing along and dancing with the  band. Sometimes even the owner of the bar is dancing and singing too.”  Rommel added that, “I always wanted to prove that even with our colour in a white dominated industry, we can always overcome the race factor and make folks enjoy our music for what it is.” He believes in the saying that “You got to perform or play like it is your last.”

Brian de Nieva shared his reflection as a member of the band. “Rock of Edges is an experience of a lifetime for me, not only that it gave me an opportunity to continue my love of music/guitar playing and performing, it also gave me a taste of how touring musicians live, get to meet different people and go to different places.”  As for his band mates, here is what he shared, “Have good relationship with my band mates. We are like family. On out of town gigs, we go around exploring the place during the day, go for coffee or eat after the gig etc.”

Mandy Bustarde (Band Leader )

Brian started playing the guitar back in 1994 when he was fourteen years old and that was during the Grunge era and Pinoy Alternative bands. He was in 2^nd year high school in the Philippines. His early influences were Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Metallica and local bands like Eraserheads and the Youth.

Like other touring groups, Rock of Edges had their share of funny moments, one of them Brian clearly remembers. He quipped, “On one occasion, our drummer forgot to bring the drumsticks. We were in Yorkton Sk. to perform in a bar called City Limits Saloon. We arrived there around 6 pm and while setting up our instruments, the drummer found out he forgot his sticks! And the gig starts in 3 hours! So we went out to look for music stores but all the stores we went to were already closed, so we thought we’ll just improvise. For our last try, we ended up at Walmart. We found some wooden dowel sticks and taped them together. Thank God, those survived one night.” He shared another story, ”There was also one time, going home from Creighton SK, our van developed a radiator leak  and we ran out of water to put in the radiator. Being in the middle of nowhere, we had no choice but to get water from the ditch.”

The music continues

Reflecting on the years of Mandy’s experience as a member of the band, I cannot help but notice the consistency and persistence he demonstrated as a musician. As a musician myself, I know that the band scene is tough. Another striking thing about Rock of Ages or Edges is that most of their performances are outside of Winnipeg. Even Jojo Yso who has been in the band scene for quite some time affirmed “Rock of Ages/ Edges touring character.” They had gigs in Thompson, City Limits Inn, 8 Betts Ave., Saskatchewan, Queen Street Station Bar and Grill, Dryden and Lac du Bonnet, to mention a few. Rommel Torres shared that they were also offered to play in Sandy Lake, Ontario by one of the native chiefs at their biggest yearly event called “Muddy Waters Festival” in 2016, but since two of their members can’t make it, they turned it down. Given these mode, I asked Mandy if they are full time musicians and he replied that they do this on weekends with consistency.

Al Federis, who started playing the guitar in 1990s and influenced by Black Sabbath, Metallica, Ozzy Osborne and Filipino alternative rock groups like Eraserheads and Rockstar and the first member of Rock of Edges whom I interviewed has this to say, “It is a very rewarding career as a Filipino musician and a member of an all Filipino rock band here in Winnipeg.  I’ve been playing with the band for ten years now and a member of CMA agency. I experienced gigs in a lot of hotels /bars here in Winnipeg and Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, the partisan nature of some people in our community still exists. Some folks would ask you to attend their events and even ask you to perform, but when it is your time to ask for help, nobody bothers to support.”  This reminded me of Jim Croce’s “Ages” where a line says, “When your down nobody gives a damn anyway.”

To have a taste of their music, I invite you to go to YouTube and type Rock of Ages or Norman Bustarde (better known as Mandy in the band scene) and you will hear some of their covers  like Bed of Roses (Bon Jovi ), Living on a Prayer( Bon Jovi), Crazy for you, Creep (Radiohead), Sweet Child of Mine(Guns N’ Roses), and Shook Me All Night (ACDC).

Writing this Rock of Edges narrative simply amazed me. These guys are going around the Province and even venturing as far as Ontario and Saskatchewan, showing their prowess as Rakista representatives of the Filipino community of Manitoba.  It makes me imagine standing up to this challenge and travelling to perform as a folk and country musician in the last quarter of my life and chronicle the process. This takes me back to 1974 during the time of Butch Jularbal and the Cobra band or its later evolution, The Jade Band, which also toured outside of Manitoba.  I am happy and grateful for the chance of writing the narrative of this band and musicians so that their story will never be forgotten.

(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 "Tara ng Maglakbay". You can reach Levy Abad through , lev67.abad@yahoo.ca or on Facebook.).

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.).