What's the frequency?

A staunch advocate in the upholding of Bisaya sounds, Ramil Dizon who is more popularly known as "DJ Ram" on air, was once a hesitant broadcaster.

He merely enjoyed tinkering with the computer and the control table for his partner Bré Ambungan Abrea as technician. Little did he know that that was to mark what would later on transpire as a mission. Cajoled by workers within the broadcasting circle, he later on moved to anchor one of today's most successful youth-oriented programs on air that also propagates Bisaya rock - YourVoice, YourChoice Tingog Kabataan - over at 93.1 dyWF Smash FM (Cebu's Rock Fortress).

As a rocker himself who witnessed the excesses of the past and wouldn't want to see again how drugs and over-indulgences destroyed music geniuses, Ram feels for that great need to introduce a medium that would, in its rippling effect, lead to a paradigm shift in the community's reception to Bisaya music. "Nga dili sila baduyan, dili lud-on, dili kornihan maminaw og Binisayang kanta. Ato gud ni. Angay ba diay ning ikauwaw?" he posed this challenge.

My first encounter with DJ Ram early this year at the disc jock's booth over at Smash was an act of giving in to a request of a legion of listeners to the program, that groomed almost all Bisrock bands today have already been given the attention, the media mileage, the break, the appreciation. This took about two decades of processing from the time dyRT also launched the Brown Underground Soundz program in a format dedicated to "pagmahal sa Bisaya".

Side by side with Bré Ambungan, DJ Ram mentioned that like a prophet not taken seriously in his own town, he is determined to take this course seriously somewhere. "Makalagot kaayo sa amo-a sa Ormoc, wala ko gyud ni mabuhat didto imbis taga didto ko. Diri hinoon sa Sugbu, diri gyud hinoon ko naningkamot motuboy sa Bisayang musika, nya dinhi gidawat akong panglantaw og gitahud akong mga paningkamot," he shared.

In the recent Bisrock Rakrakan (ala Woodstock) for dyLA's 39th annniversary, he literally flew in for a performance with his band What's The Frequency. The black wings he sported seemingly gave the idea of him being an angel of death - but this should not give the wrong impression. DJ Ram is an activist who moved from being street parliamentarian to supporting Bisaya rock - and is highly opinionated about why radio stations here should avoid playing CDs he referred to as "platinum sa Colon" and should think twice on remixing songs. "Mananghid unta sila sa nagbuhat sa kanta kon mo-remix. Insulto man na's mga Bisaya nga mga talents nato. Kita-kita ra gud diri. Wa'y unay," he would often say over the air.

Gravitating towards this direction, the message he imparted that night was for all Bisrock bands to get good pairs of wings for their journey to be able to soar to greater heights over the airwaves. And for the rest of the community to be the wind beneath these wings.

I could sense he would want to put it across that Bisaya rock is just the beginning of some other beginning's end. There were many musicians who came before them; now it is their turn to pick up where the past had left off and lead this generation to love Bisaya music, "mapa-Sugbuano, mapa-Leyteño, mapa-Boholano, mapa-Butuanon ka man," he said.

As for WTF, he shared they already have completed four songs. These are "Royal Rumble," "For Richer and Poorer," "Lover's Burden" and their first single to have gained airplay - "HHH (Kumusta Na)" employing emo, punk, and alternative for styles. "Kung maminaw ka sa amo mga songs, maybe makatawa ka because of the lines, but all these songs gi-base sa personal experiences of real people. It pays to listen to the honesty embedded in every piece," he pointed out.

Ram, who serves as main WTF man, loves cooking and prefers hot and spicy food, hangs out at malls with friends and listens to punk, new wave, and alternative music.

"And siyempre, Bisaya rock gyud ha," he emphasized. He added he has high respect for former E-head member Raymund Marasigan now with Sandwich, and looks up to Bono of U2 as an influential music artist, a pillar, an icon!

To complete WTF, 15-year-old Aiko Abelardo chips in her talent as bassist to the pack. Aiko is a 3rd-year high school student at the Nissi Academy in Lapu-Lapu City. Aside from her guitar, which eats up most of her attention, she is also interested in tinkering with the computer, and roots for alternative and punk music.

Charles "Cheeno" Salvador, 20, who is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of San Carlos, stands in as lead guitarist and goes for reggae, grunge, and alternative music.

Meanwhile, Aldrin Montealto aka The Freak Master D-Coy Loco, 24, is responsible for the WTF drumplay. He is a certified nature freak with his one great love for trekking, skimboarding, caving, and mountain climbing (I think I've found an ally in this guy! We share the same passions!). He finds pleasure in reggae, ska, alternative and hardcore music.

The funny part about the conversations I had with Ram was when I asked him if I should give CDs to other disc jockeys who have been texting me if it's possible to get a hand on my collection. He retorted with an indignant air like a parent protecting the young under warm wings: "No deal. Naghago ko before nya sila kadagko nila nga network unsa man diay gamit sa ilang mga researchers? Kun makatukar man gani sila, either naa sila'y connection sa mga bands with managers or platinum copies na sa Colon. Besides, we at Smash have waged a battle against piracy and remix of songs nga dili mananghid sa nagbuhat sa kanta. Naanad sa ilang kawala'y mga batasan! Adto nako ni ipanghatag ang mga CDs sa stations in Bohol, Negros, Leyte and parts of northern Mindanao and Panay island who established contacts with us."

SHOUTOUT: WTF thanks much Van Aznar of Gangrene and Tonton Miparanum of Phylum for the geat help. WTF says forever they will be grateful, "sila man ang mga sessionista, extra guitarists," Ram said. And also to all the bands they jammed with at Handuraw, Sawang Calero, Tayud in Consolacion, Mactan Marina Mall, Mactan Gym and during the Bisrock Rakrakan last September 27. Most especially to all Bisrockers and the clans for the all-out support.

* * *

E-mail: pinaymangatkatay.multiply.com,
or www.bisdakzoundz.blogspot.com