Music keeps campaign vs human trafficking going

CEBU, Philippines - Human trafficking is among the most serious issues troubling our society. Statistics reveal that there are 2.5 million recorded victims of human trafficking in the world, 50 percent of which come from the Asia Pacific. The Philippines currently ranks third among the countries that deploy the most OFWs to foreign nations, next to India; hence, Filipinos are vulnerable to abuse. Sad to say, women (from ages 14 to 18) and children from the provinces are susceptible to human trafficking, becoming victims of sexual exploitation and prostitution.

There’s a great need to stir the consciousness of Filipinos on the issue of human trafficking and increase the level of alertness on every possible devilish modus operandi of traffickers. MTV answered the call of times through a multi-platform media campaign to raise awareness on human trafficking: MTV Exit. It uses a multi-media approach, from producing documentaries, music videos, animation, online content (website), live events to concerts. MTV Exit is a joint effort MTV, Visayas Forum Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Currently, the MTV Exit team is touring around Asia and the Philippines, holding concerts. According to MTV Exit campaign manager Matt Love, the performers are chosen not just for their popularity with the young crowd, but also for their social conscience, grasp of the issue, and willingness to be involved. “This event is using the power of live music to communicate a message,” said Love.

They first held a concert in mega Manila last May with 10,000 people participating in the Anti Human Trafficking March and a whopping 34,000 attendees in the concert. Next pit-stops are Davao and Clark, Pampanga at the end of the year. The team already invaded Cambodia and Nepal, and they’re soon set foot in Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan territories.

Last October 24, 2009, MTV Exit rocked Cebu. The concert held at the SM City Cebu Covered Parking Area was headlined by Cebu’s very own Sheila and the Insects and Urbandub, as well as Sandwich. Sadly, I wasn’t able to catch the performance of Sheila and the Insects as I was having dinner at a nearby food station. As far as I know, it was the group’s first major gig after a long hiatus.

Urbandub opened the set with the anthemic number, Alert the Armory, from their third album Embrace. While Cebu is a birthplace of singers and musical artists, a handful bands from Manila have heaped praises on this rock/alternative band, declaring that Udub is by far the most promising band from Cebu (no offense meant) when it comes to ingenious musicality. 

When Soul Searching (from their sophomore album Influence) was being played, legions of fans came running towards the center of the venue to sing along with front man Gabby Alipe. With so many supporters singing the chorus, I can truly say that Udub has come a long way. I couldn't help but wax nostalgic. 

When Gravity, their carrier single for new album The Apparition, was played, the audience started to calm down and were all ears. Udub then mellowed a bit with a personal favorite, The Fight is Over. It hits me real hard, as always.

First of Summer then broke the ice, so to speak, and, as expected, the crowd went wild again that made nuns from a certain group that participated in the event exit the venue. First of Summer is a staple in any regular Udub gig. I must say that the band gained prominence in the industry because of this song. 

Finally, Guillotine (from Under the Southern Lights album) was played as closing piece.

An unfamiliar band came next with Raimund Marasigan of Sandwich on drums. Hey, it wasn’t Chicosci, that I’m sure of. Host VJ Sib, who was quite tipsy at that time, was mumbling when he introduced the next performers. They played four songs and sounded like The Beatles.

When Sandwich took the concert stage I immediately took notice on the absence of Myrene Academia (bass) and Mong Alcaraz (guitars and back-up vocals). The last time I saw them in full attendance was during the Nestea Beach Volley victory party in Boracay, with Myrene, Raimund’s better half, having a kid in tow. “I’ve been playing in Cebu since 1991,” said Raimund while introducing his band. Of course, he wasn’t with Sandwich then.

Sandwich’s music is an interesting mix of different genres but still generally defined as Pinoy rock. Sandwich members all came from different bands that were equally great, as well. Raimund, of course, was formerly with the legendary Eraserheads as drummer, Diego Castillo (guitars and back-up vocals) with The Aga Muhlach Experience, Mike Dizon (drums) from Teeth, while Myrene Academia was a former NU 107 DJ. Raimund and Mong are also currently with rock band Chicosci, while Myrene also plays bass for Imago. I thought they’d be playing an E-heads song, but to be honest, I prayed they would do otherwise.

They paid tribute to the oldies but goodies of Pinoy OPM, as they opened the set with Betamax—a rap-rock piece. It is something the Cebuanos could relate to since the songwriter injected a Visayan word in end part of the refrain. “Ipagpatuloy ang daloy ng alon…ipagpatuloy…padayon.” Well, the rest of the repertoire was in Tagalog like Walang Kadala-dala that came next.

Third song was Selos which is currently gaining airtime in radios. However, it was an ear sore when Raimund and Diego went “all out” while singing the chorus. It appeared as if they were shouting their hearts out that even my companion asked: “Unsa kuno tong chorus?”. Alas, they slowed down a bit when they turned mainstream in Zaido, the soundtrack of GMA-7’s now defunct Pulis Pangkalawakan starred by Dennis Trillo.

Who’s not familiar with the multi-awarded song Sugod? Aside from being a soundtrack of a wireless internet service advertorial, Sugod, shall I say, has become a Sandwich trademark, because of its rah-rah appeal and youthful content.

For the next song, Raimund had this to say: “Here’s a new song from Chicosci.” The intro was familiar, then it rang a bell—it was the Eraserheads hit Magasin. My judgment was right after all. It quite disappointed me, although I love the song. Of course, they got the usual response from the audience—a roaring applause. It was clear that people were still having a hangover from the Eheads reunion concert. Isn’t it about time that we move on and never expect them to sing E-heads themes in their respective gigs? Same thing happened when Pupil was here for a gig. Why do they repeatedly do this? Hey, it’s high time to teach the audience not to get stuck with the past and help them move on. Call me bitter, but this just a thought. Sandwich and Pupil need not do this as they are already established; two of the few great bands at present, frankly speaking.

Moving on, another blast from the past came in the form of Teeth’s signature song Laklak. This was written by Mike in 1993 when he was still with the band. Sadly, a power glitch happened, making the group stop. All we said was “Sayang!” We haven’t heard Laklak live in ages.

Unfortunately, I can’t update you on these bands’ recent whereabouts and their views on human trafficking since organizers were unable to arrange media interviews, to my dismay. We didn’t even got a nod from Sandwich’s road manager, or whoever she is. (As if we’re going to bite her alagas.) Oh well, charge to experience. Good thing I had a blast at the gig like the rest of the Cebuanos who dropped by, begging for MTV Exit baler IDs during song intervals.