The Agadiers

THE AGADIERS-composed of siblings Alain, 22 (vocals, keyboards); Adrian, 19 (bass); Allan John, 17 (guitars) and Ariel, 15 (drums) with cousins Tapeny Chavez, 19 (guitars) and Pete Cabatingan, 14 (percussions, flute)-rocked SSS grounds and proved their worth yesterday, November 30, as they joined 14 other bands of the Bisaya rock genre in kicking off a three-night event to showcase the strength of Cebuano artists.

In the concert dubbed as "Tingog Bisaya" which was conceptualized by e+ productions in strong partnership with Touch Mobile and San Miguel Beer, they performed alongside Agipo (Sikwati), Assembly Language (Chinita), Gangrene (Wasted), Indephums (Plastik), Makadawa (Sigarilyo), Mantequilla (Bulinaw), Ossified (Deep Pressed), Phylum (Palagot sa Kontra), Stonestomp (Tigpatuman), D'Kazins (Naunsa Na?), Wet Slipperz (Bisan Pa) and What's The Frequency? (Royal Rumble), with Mr. Pepper and newcomer Session of the Fighters.

Prior to the event, the siblings along with their cousins and their father, 43-year-old father SPO1 Meliton Agadier (yes, he was the cop able to disarm robbers aboard a public utility jeepney along MJ Cuenco Avenue recently, despite his being off-duty) graced the Monday edition of BisrocKabataan, a youth-oriented rock radio program aired over 93.1 Smash FM of which I co-anchor with DJ Ram Dizon.

The invite was facilitated to give in to requests from avid listeners who got intrigued at the "sexy songs" penned by The Agadiers' mainman Alain. Three of these songs have already been catching the attention of Smashers as manifested by numerous airplay requests: Mga Halok (wow! sweet kisses) Pagbakho (act of sobbing) and Gugma (love, oh, love! we are all bound to fall in and out of it). These songs are already compiled in an album "Adto ta sa Ngitngit" with eight other tracks which is available at the Kahayag Café at P150. Album launching is set on December 22 at the Handuraw Events Café.

Above their music, most notable is the relationship they shared with their father. During the live interview last Monday, SPO1 Agadier of the Carcar Police Station admitted of being a frustrated musician himself, with some beautiful dreams that didn't find their way in his heyday. And that very aspiration became the umbilical cord connecting him to the younger Agadiers.

With this set-up, the Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Parental Activities Training (ERPAT) program of the city government found sense. This is a program that emphasizes roles of fathers in child rearing because it was generally observed that most fathers only concerned themselves on how to earn a living to support the needs of their families disregarding the important role they play in child rearing. SPO1 Agadier is upholding the noble ideals on the opposite side.

He encouraged fathers to actively take part in the upbringing of their children as what is pushed by the Cebu City government, and for barangay councils to conduct an ERPAT program and establish within their barangays the fathers' groups. Like what was espoused by the city through its Department of Social Welfare and Services, child rearing is a responsibility that should be shared by both mother and father, SPO1 Agadier encouraged fathers to get involved in the affairs of their children.

He believes that we indeed must erase the misconception that fathers should only limit themselves as providers. As what was underscored in the ERPAT program, he wants to inculcate among fathers that their presence and participation in the aspirations and concerns of their children, especially during their formative years, is indispensable.

With him and his children around at the DJ's booth last Monday, scenes from "Happy Feet" flashed before me. This was when Norma Jean played by Nicole Kidman told alpha male penguin Memphis voiced by Hugh Jackman to accept Mumble (played by Elijah Wood), saying "he may not be exactly like you, but he's yours. Love him for who he is."

It just comes as a blessing that every Agadier sibling and their cousins have their Heartsongs. It was easy for SPO1 Agadier to trailblaze for the string.