Peace is a candle in the dark.  That’s what artists do—light candles in the dark.  In these times of war and desperation, the only thing that makes any sense is art (and babies, for their yet untarnished spirit).  Despite the horrific violence going on around us, we, being artists, never stop celebrating.

So when Kadayawan Festival organized “Tunog Mindanaw (Mindanao Sound)-World Music Festival Competition,” I and my co-band members at Mebuyan (http://www.mebuyanpeaceproject.org) saw it as an opportunity not only to fill up a second music album, or to win either cash or prestige or both, but an occasion to share our creative wealth at a time when our country needs it most.

Creating and sharing the wealth 

I, Gauss Obenza, Maan Chua, and Maree Contaoi decided to join the competition even as we found out about it only one week before the deadline.  Gauss immediately organized a weekend overnight stay at the Ayala family’s beach resort in Samal Island.  Armed with guitars, pens, notebooks, a laptop, recording devices, a great friendship and God’s gift of music, we started writing our songs in the morning.  Before we left for Davao City the next day we already had four songs. 

The next day, we all went to the Ayala studio (where we rehearse every week) to begin recording.  We asked co-band member Paolo Sisi to listen to our songs, and lay in some bass works, while convincing him to submit an entry.  “There is still time,” we told him.  The next day—five days before deadline—Paolo came to the studio with a study of “MAG-IBAN KITA.” 

Through the days that followed, we all feverishly began recording, re-recording, burning our brains over arrangements, and throwing comments, criticisms, and suggestions across the studio amidst laughter, and stories of sleeplessness, child-rearing, and dreams.  Maan had to learn sound engineering work so Gauss (our official sound engineer) could rest; Maree learned how to assist; and I would like to think I was the official “critic”—I criticized, and criticized.  Haha! 

We all had our thumbmarks in each other’s songs, lending our artistry as backup voices, co-arrangers, percussionists, and critics.  Gauss gave my song its title—”HOHOY!”—jokingly at first, but it stuck because I couldn’t think of a prettier one. 

And of course, our two other co-band members Chico Zambrano and Lolong Gonzaga joined in in  the creative exchange. 

“Prince” Encarnacion, bassist and Gauss’ co-band member at Seventh Heaven insisted that we all should consider not performing in each other’s song during the competition concert.  Paolo’s musician friends thought the same.  So did Mike.  It was a suggestion we all took very well and agreed to on the condition that if anyone of us didn’t make it to the finals, those who didn’t make it would play with those who made it.  We practically swore that to each other. 

As it turned out, it was a promise that we didn’t have to make—we all made it to the finals! 

Musicians a-bustling

“Mao na ni ron!” (This is it!) All five of us scrambled to find the musicians who would play with us.  A flurry of text messages hit the air: Do you know any bassist?  I need two rappers.  Who would play the kulintang for you?  Is it alright if Kristy plays for the both of us? Do you have a drummer? Can he play the guitar for me, too?  How much do we pay the musicians?  How much do we contribute for exhausting Mike’s studio?  Now THAT—the unartistic side of the production, the money part—was agreed upon as a collective. 

In the end, several music artists were criscrossing among the five of us.  Members of reggae and R&B bands and neo-ethnic music groups were mobilized.  Mike’s beloved studio worked up a heat—musicians from everywhere came and went, and prepared to fly.  Meanwhile, Paolo and Maan decided to reduce traffic at the studio and took their rehearsals elsewhere. 

In the morning of the competition, during the sound check that started way behind schedule, I discovered that I was surrounded by a cozy circle of musicians where practically everyone knew everyone else.  The always-smiling Davao-based Agusanon artist Edwin Priete gathered 21 musicians some of us at Mebuyan knew personally.  Cagayan de Oro-based Manobo artist Pio Pataganao was a familiar face—a regular “fixture” in festivals.  (And if I may add, his colorfully-dressed dreadlocked band is a quiet and gentle presence-a visually delightful and refreshing sight.) And Paolo knew several of those who played for Gemmalyn Panes and Romeo Rosalita.  

I saw dear colleague Frank Englis walk by and embraced him.  Frank is an award-winning veteran choir master and songwriter from far Iligan City from whom Gauss learned how to read musical notes.  Later that night, at the backstage, Frank and I talked about the awesomeness of the gathering, and the possibilities of Davao organizing music festivals where musicians had time to interact through workshops and showcases.  Paolo, who didn’t know who Frank was till competition night, said he and Frank talked about the same things and said he instantly aligned with Frank’s spirit.  Frank would later win third prize for his magical “PANAWAGAN.” 

Celebration 

Paolo wisely made sure that the event—well, at least his song—was going to be video-documented.  The next day, he quickly uploaded the video on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOdVCbL0wQ4) 

The video has two parts. The first part shows Paolo’s song MAG-IBAN KITA being performed, and the second part is the announcement of the winners.  In the first part, you will actually see my hands clapping in the foreground, cheering for Paolo.  In the second, when the top three winners are asked to go downstage, you will see three women jumping up and down or flailing their hands and bodies in joy—those are Maan, Maree and Gauss—ecstatic that two of their bandmates actually made it to the top three.  And when my name is announced as second prize winner, you will see me jumping up and down for joy-because Paolo won.  I was so ecstatic I almost forgot to receive the plaque and the cash prize from tourism luminary Art Boncato who smiled and said, “O, baka makalimutan mo ang cash prize mo.“ (“You might forget your cash prize.”) 

The next day, when Mebuyan band members (minus Maree who couldn’t make it) had a pizza celebration at the studio, we were still enveloped in the fairy dust of euphoria that refused to settle down.  We were bubbling with stories about what happened the night before.  And once again, Mike’s studio—vessel of stories, bearer of hopes, and witness of friendships—stood in solemn pride quietly listening and perhaps patiently waiting for the next major musical gathering. 

Weeks before the night of the finals, Paolo told his mother about how we went about helping each other enrich our music pieces.  Yolanda Sisi replied something to this effect: “Yours is a competition of artistry, not a competition of artists.” 

How serendipitous that fellow artist-writer Mozart Pastrano in Cagayan de Oro wrote these words below at about the same time that Davao musicians gathered in song:

Today, we re-awaken to a Mindanao once again embroiled in war, but we also re-awaken to a Mindanao peopled with unwavering determination for breaking new ground… especially in the sublime arena of culture and the arts.

We need to re-awaken to the arts because it is through the arts that we share stories and experiences that represent the fabric and fiber of our society, pass on societal values, explore new and engaging territories (and thereby expand our intellectual horizons, enrich our imagination, and strengthen our emotional moorings), and ultimately claim our significant space in the heritage of the future.

And from far Iligan, IPAG theater director Tibo Fernandez sends a text message:  “Work continues for IPAG.  We won’t be cowed by imaginary or real threats nor will we give space for terrorism to flourish.  We will continue to advocate for the peace process.” 

Finally, I end this write-up with a kudos to all the musicians who supported us in our musical journey especially to Chico Zambrano and Lolong Gonzaga, our Mebuyan co-band members who helped direct the rehearsals and provided more artistic input as the competition date drew near.  And the mix-and-match group of some of Davao’s finest musicians:  Sonny Encarnacion, Carding Ferraren, Che-che Unson, Janice Uy, Raffy Donato, Mark Asiong, Joel Carbajosa, Wilson Nason, Eric “Toto” Hisoler, July Onas, Perry Ileto, Craig Francis, Lloyd Arizola, Andrew P. Brigoli, Gerry Cortez, Daron Hill Pagkaliwagan, Benzayb Canton IV, Sam Madarang, Raymon Organiza, Rafael Ayala, Chaim Arriola, Thaddeus delos Reyes, Ice Angeles, Jessalyn Mae dela Cruz, Christiane Jayzel dela Cruz, and the Kalumon Performing Ensemble composed of Kristy Austero-Lim, Mario Lim, Meloy Fulgencio, Karen Ross Ramos, Ana Katrina Ramos, Rosamae Villicillo, Willie Apa, Jr., John Kenneth Beloy, Beverly Joy Solina, and Yvonne Kris Malloca. 

As Paolo fittingly writes in his winning song: “Mag-iban kita ngani sa Mindanao!”  (Let us unite here in Mindanao!)

Links:

Listen to the Mebuyan entries to “Tunog Mindanaw (Mindanao Sound)-World Music Festival Competition”

Paolo’s youtube upload

Reluctant composer rules Tunog Mindanao contest

Tunog Mindanaw Bares Finalists