Lola Gwapa through the eyes of Cridals

The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in the south district of Cebu first gave them an appropriate venue to hone and use the gift of musicmaking for the glory of God through the Youth Ministry. That blessed chance later spun off to a more crowded venue, bringing their music to another form, as they transpired into a show band.

In the last two years, Cridals, which belongs to the Batch 2 of the rockin' Smashers list, has put their best foot forward to place over the air lanes their so-called homage to elderly women who remain graceful, cheerful and beautiful, despite the ages accumulated, in the song "Lola Gwapa".

"Lola Gwapa is inspired by a gathering of elderly women-relatives who were recounting memories of their heydays. Lingaw kaayo sila paminawon, maong nakahuna-huna mi nga isuwat ang ilang jovial mood, the way magstorya sila nga nag-reminisce sa ilang kabatan-un, mora gyud sila'g mga dalaga pa," says Aldrin "Aldrot" Bacalso, vox, who penned the song in collaboration with drummer Clifford "Epoy" Palad.

February this year, the gathering of the elderly happened on Aldrin's birthday celebration, he said, and while he was with his bandmates, they worked on the song "Lola Gwapa" that captured the jolly spirit of the women as they recalled cherished moments shared that went with the passing of the years but, like the proverbial phoenix, experience some kind of resurrection.

"Lola Gwapa" rendered in pop rock style goes a little something like: "Ni-estambay ko sa eskina/nangita ko og amiga/nga akong kasandigan sa problema/nakita ko ang imong lola/nag-sige lang og pakatawa/feel nya dalaga pa siya../Lola gwapa/panahon pa sa kwarenta/lola gwapa/dili kapugngan kung siya'y morampa." Cridals which represents the first and second letters of each members' names-Rodrigo "Digy" Navarro (bass) and Farrel "Ringo" Tabaloc (guitar) aside from Clifford and Aldrin-also came up with "Talikod-genic", an observation made on misbehavin' males who most times end up as laughing stocks.

"Usa kaadlaw niana/nagkasabot kaming duha/nga manuroy kami sa plaza/kay mangita ug seksing dalaga/gwapa kaayo kung magtalikod/taas iyang buhok/long-legged pa gyud/talikod-genic diay…OA kaayo…/sa among pagduol…nailad kami sa iyang peke nga byuti."

As soon as the recording was over at Vann's Recording Studio in Urgello, the group submitted the demo CD for "Lola Gwapa" at 93.1 Smash FM recently. After a week, the effort paid off as the song made its debut on the airwaves. Euphoric, Cridals moved to complete other songs like the abovementioned "Talikod-genic," and "Leron Sinta" which is a compilation of chants that children recite in most of their games. Also, Cridals came up with songs in English like "Stars", an introspective look into the connection of stars and this borrowed existence; and a love song entitled "Take Me" based on the emotions of Clifford, all delivered in various styles exemplified by their favorite bands Simple Plan, Nickelback, Incubus, Creed and novelty music icons YoMax (Yoyoy Villame and Max Surban).

Cridals hopes to launch the album "Stars" by December and would dedicate the product to God above all, their friends, their loved ones, the Youth Ministry, to Jen (Ringo's crush), Philou, Carmela, the Tabaloc family especially Baby-D; the Navarro family, Bacalso family, Janray "Bungot" Bacalso and to Aldrin's love Bedat, Richard Binagatan, Dongdong; Jerad Band, neighbors and youth of Pardo, Palad and Mabalas family, DJ Ram and Bré Ambungan of 93.1 Smash FM, and Gangrene most especially Vann Aznar. For more info, email: [email protected].