One Foot on the Past

I have this habit of poring through back issues of magazines, and it is not that far before one stumbles upon things amusing. One of which is the dent made by waves unleashed by  Filipino artists. Albeit not that frequent,  they leave marks in the field. Make that very large, gaping marks.

JAZZIZ is known for monthly free CDs (JAZZIZ ON DISC) showcasing new releases from noteworthy artists. In 1995, their May compilation included none other than one of the pioneers of jazz in the Philippines, MR. BOY KATINDIG. The track was “Puerto Princesa” from Katindig’s eponymous album released under Noteworthy Records.  R. Dante Sawyer provided the comprehensive background on the cut and the artist, commending not only the artist’s amazing technique as a multi-instrumentalist, but his production savvy as well. 

JAZZTIMES, another equally informative publication, gave another Filipino artist a much deserved review.  Their December 2009 issue reviews section (REVIEWS Vox) were all praises for Filipino crooner MR. MON DAVID and his album COMING TRUE. The review was written by Christopher Loudon, providing a track by track rundown of the album.

Here’s one big cheer to the Senyors MON DAVID, BOY KATINDIG, and the ever growing number of those inspired by them, braving the future that is Pinoy Jazz.  Mabuhay!

Pop In, Pop Out

I used to pop in my earphones to and from work just to shield my ears from idiocy that is commonly known as "masa" (the masses, that is) FM radio.

The mass indoctrination of sexual innuendos and self proclaimed prophets of Illuminati -pop musicdom gather steam daily and gleefully erodes whatever's left of values. That is,  what's left after television and internet has taken its toll in our minds and consciousness.

This is Bacolod City.  A small, growing suburb with a not-so-fast paced lifestyle - for now. The jeepney  is the main form of transportation for the working class.  This is where professionals, students, enterpreneurs, are slumped together in the morning ride to various destinations. Seated, everyone is force fed with to what passes as radio. In fact, it is technically radio based on the jeepney driver's standards.  Preschool kids with common folks hear junk music blasting. They dance a bit in time, with small bits of choreography from the noontime shows. Intermission comes courtesy of DJs with faux Filipino/English medium selling everything from aphrodisiacs to cellular phone network promos. They (the DJs) pose ambiguous questions like:

"Which gender comes first - Male or Female?"

I refuse to give the colloquial equivalent  of this line in our local dialect, Hiligaynon, as it is something that can only be described as downright nasty and reeks with sexual overtones.

The question above receives a response from a concerned listener calling the attention of the DJs onboard of the vulgarity.

The DJs snap back with the classic cliché "Perspective is a matter of the mind" . Since the messenger was first to call foul,  they make fun and cutting remarks that the same was the one with unhealthy connotations and biases. They laugh.

I don't. This distorted, naïve concept of freedom -  without responsibility - is the safe flag where one coward finds refuge. Simply put, it is nothing but a cheap attempt to gather more listeners at the expense of corrupted values.  When the ratings ring, flaunt goes the station in all its pride as if art and really creative programming were behind it.

A sexual moan passed as a naughty station I.D.? Anybody beyond grade school can decipher that.

Rapid fire blabbers authoritatively giving advice on air, yet promoting skewed morals and relative ethics everyday?  Please. As if the net and television is not enough.

Not that I would want to sound like some conservative prick, but there are certain things meant for certain places. And this time, its a move that goes way, way out of bounds.

I used to shut the world out and wear my earphones.

Now I'm popping out  my phones. 




So here's to you, radio:

RUSH - Spirit of Radio