Timeless appeal of Asin's Lolita Carbon

MANILA, Philippines - May alat pa!

Faithful to its purpose, "Asin" is a number of effects.

As a seasoning agent, it improves the taste of food that it comes into contact with. So when the musical values of "Asin" have started to come into contact with society, such have also improved in part the nature of that society. As "Asin" makes people thirsty, their songs, which have influenced generations in over three decades, have sought to create a thirst for improved conditions among people that can be quenched best by socio-political maturity and participative governance. And as a preservative, "Asin" gives food improved length of life. Ultimately, with enough of "Asin", we would continue to acknowledge the sanctity of life and work to preserve such in all its forms.

You must be born during the heydays of Pinoy ethno-folk rock band "Asin" to be familiar with this environment protection anthem: "Wala ka bang napapansin/sa iyong mga kapaligiran/kay dumi na ng hangin/pati na ang mga ilog natin/hindi na masama ang pag-unlad/at malayu-layo na rin ang ating narating/ngunit masdan mo ang tubig sa dagat/dating kulay asul ngayo’y naging itim."

And this "uyayi" (lullabye) to the children of the world: "Masdan mo ang mga bata/ang aral sa kanila makukuha/ano nga ba ang gagawin/sa buhay na hindi naman sa atin/itanong mo sa mga bata/ano ang kanilang nakikita/sa buhay na hawak nila?

If there's one voice that has really mesmerized me even then when I was too young to understand the profundity of her themes, it's Miss Lolita "Nene" Carbon — that raspy, powerful voice behind all-time favorite songs of "Asin".

My early years as a struggling student here in Cebu City were grounded on "Asin" tracks as I continued keeping a strong connection on the beauty of pastoral life amid its simplicity over the glitzy, ritzy, but superficial urban life. It was a struggle to defy the currents of destiny, when I was led to media work over becoming an organic farmer or a forest warden which was what I actually craved for as a "profession."

Asin, really, is instrumental in keeping me alive despite the taxing involvement in various forms of activism.

So, you can’t blame me if I got star-struck upon meeting Lolita for a jamming session in line with the golden anniversary celebration of Danao town, Bohol. Rarely am I razzle-dazzled by an artist, but last July 9, I wasn’t able to help myself from gushing when my "Special Collector’s Edition" of 14 classic tracks in reel form, released by Vicor Records, got autographed by her.

Ultimately, she gave in to what the crowd has always wanted to hear that night - their signature song - actually an anthem used in countless environmental advocacies – "Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran" (also the carrier single of the collector’s item).

"Where were you in the last years?" I eagerly asked Lolita during the presscon in front of Berinja Hall at the Danao Adventure Park prior to Barangay Magtangtang’s First Misty Mountain Music Festival.

In her raspy, powerful voice, the 53-year-old certified Pinoy rock icon quipped: "I still played on tour, out of the country lang. Been spending time with my grandchildren. Tungkol naman sa Asin, we released an album in 2002 but the promotion tour was mostly done in Mindanao."

"I now have a new set of colleagues for The Lolita Carbon Band. There’s Jazz Al Mangasid on bass who used to be a sessionista when we started Asin as "Salt of the Earth." And then Oni Badiang, another sessionista. Taga-Bohol ni siya. Relative ni Cesar Montano, taga-Baclayon. Tapos, si Tommy Maranan our percussionist," she enumerated.

"I still write songs. Hindi naman talaga mawawala yun kasi ako naman, I started as a songwriter. In fact, may mga materials ako ngayon na inaasikaso for a new album. Ako, magpasalamat ko. Nalipay ko andiyan pa rin kayo, padayon sa suporta. Hopefully you will still be there to watch out for the content of our next album. Baka early next year, out na," Lolita went on.

When current trends in the music industry were raised, Lolita said that she never grew up listening to radio. "Ako, hindi naman ako nakikinig ng radyo at CDs or plaka. Kaya hindi ko talaga ma-idetalye specifically kung anong direksyon ang dapat tahakin ng new artists. Ang alam ko lang are the songs in my head na gusto ko pang ibahagi sa inyo. Basta pagdating sa kumpetisyon, lalo na’t marami na’ng artists ngayon from reality shows and the Internet sensations, eh alam natin kung papa’nong lumaban."