The Gospel According to a Rockstar

Written on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 at 5:37 pm | by Lester Cavestany

When I was in Manila last month, I didn’t get a chance to hear mass but I did get a chance to listen to the Gospel according to a rock band that goes by the name of Bamboo. I first heard the song on the radio and it struck me straight away. I googled it and I was pleased to find that it was written and originally performed by musician/social-activist Noel Cabangon. I then bought Bamboo’s CD entitled “We Stand Alone Together”. (Yes, people still buy CDs of local artists, even though we like to think that the Philippines already belongs to the iPod age).  

As soon as I got home, I played the CD and hit track 08 - TATSULOK. Really enjoyed the song and I played it over and over. Here’s the gospel:

Totoy bilisan mo, bilisan mo ang takbo
Ilagan ang mga bombang nakatutok sa ulo mo
Totoy tumalon ka, dumapa kung kailangan
At baka tamaan pa ng mga balang ligaw

Totoy makinig ka, wag kang magpa-gabi
Baka mapagkamalan ka’t humandusay dyan sa tabi
Totoy alam mo ba kung ano ang puno’t dulo
Ng di matapos-tapos na kaguluhang ito

Ref: Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban
Ang kulay at tatak ay di syang dahilan
Hangga’t marami ang lugmok sa kahirapan
At ang hustisya ay para lang sa mayaman

Habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok
Di matatapos itong gulo

Iligtas ang hininga ng kay raming mga tao
At ang dating munting bukid, ngayo’y sementeryo
Totoy kumilos ka, baliktarin ang tatsulok
Tulad ng dukha, nailagay mo sa tuktok

Here’s a link to video on youtube where Bamboo performs the song.

I’m sure that those of us who religiously follow FilipinoVoices.com can appreciate others who also openly express their concern for others. I hope that other rockstars and famous personalities will follow the example set by Bamboo Manalac and his band.  And this is not the first time that Bamboo has done ”I love Pinoy” songs - You can also check out Noypi and Hallelujah.

More public figures should use their popularity, skills and talents to influence their fans and followers to show their love for the Philippines and for their countrymen.

The message is clear, “It’s cool to be MAKABAYAN!”

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About The Author: Lester Cavestany is a teacher at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. He has been an OFW since 2002 and he hopes that someday he can be back in the Philippines for good to continue the programs of Education Volunteers Educating Filipinos Inc., a non-profit organization he started with his friends in 2001.

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Comments

7 Responses to “The Gospel According to a Rockstar”

  1. Jon Limjap on August 27th, 2008 6:19 pm

    Lester,

    I think it’s but apt to note that this song is a revival of a Martial Law era song composed and performed originally by Noel Cabangon. :)

  2. Lester Cavestany on August 28th, 2008 5:48 pm

    Hi Jon, it’s so weird, isn’t it? A song that was written more than twenty years ago is still very much relevant today. Anyway, thanks for pointing it out. Other readers also might have missed it. Cheers

  3. Henrico Go on October 16th, 2008 12:38 pm

    It’s cool to be makabayan, and then what?

    For how long we will sing “ang bayan ko”, “ako ay pilipino”, “akoy isang pinoy” and the like?

    Sa tingin ko tayo na lang ang ganyan.

  4. cvj on October 16th, 2008 12:55 pm

    Sa tingin ko tayo na lang ang ganyan.

    Not really Henrico. The South Korean student Jaeyoun Kim pointed out that love of country is what enabled their country to face its challenges and succeed. He asks us Filipinos to love our country just like the South Korean’s love theirs.

  5. Lester Cavestany on October 16th, 2008 6:00 pm

    Henrico, It’s nice to know that you think “it’s cool to be makabayan.” :-)

    Cvj, I agree with you. We can definitely learn a lot from our Asian neighbors as to how we can develop our country and improve the quality of life for everyone. Being patriotic and showing love for our Motherland is certainly a key factor.

  6. Henrico Go on October 17th, 2008 2:45 pm

    that Korean followed up his love of country with collective hard work. Ours just ply over our head. Sufficient for a cheering squad.

  7. Henrico Go on October 17th, 2008 3:54 pm

    hi Lester,
    30-40 years ago these neighbors are learning from us. The Thais, for example on rice, the Koreans love us for our English,..

    …and arent the Viets noted for their patriotism by kicking out the Yanks?

    loving the Motherland? who is particularly should we love? Is loving enough? Is it the key?

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