A song of hope and survival from South Border

Fresh from a wall-climbing competition at the Biak-na-Bato National Park in Bulacan, a large group of climbers and I hankered for a dip in the pool at the neighboring San Miguel Leisure Farm.

It had been a terribly hot day, but then, as if to signal that the rainy season had began (it was, after all, May 1), it appeared on the sky–a perfect rainbow with all seven colors from one end of the farm to the other! Then, but for a few seconds, another perfect rainbow appeared just above it. It was such a beautiful sight everybody started storing the image on their cell phones.

Perhaps we could say that, indeed, in a way, South Border’s monster hit Rainbow has brought a lot of joy into the hearts of Pinoys–be they young, old, rich or poor.

The song, which was penned by South Border business manager Sharon Inductivo with musical director and keyboardist Jay Oliver Durias, 28, has turned out to be "the strongest song of South Border ever"–surpassing the successes of their previous hits Kahit Kailan and Love of My Life.

It has been the No. 1 hit in almost all FM stations among them Wave, Magic, RT, RX and Kool 106, not to mention OPM MYX and MTV Diyes.

Sharon says that "people from all ages can relate to the song of hope and survival".

The song could very well be semi-autobiographical — in that the battle-weary band could have gone under — what with the departure of its lead vocalists one after the other in a span of nine years.

But then the proverbial pot at the end of the rainbow also did come true for the band. Today, they have not one —— but take note —— two vocalists in the person of former barrista Vince Alaras, 24 and Duncan Ramos, 22.

It is interesting to note that both devoted over a decade of their lives straddling the fields of music and sports while in school.

Vince for one, was part of the famous Kundirana, cradle of such talents such as Gary V, Randy Santiago, vocal group Tux, among other Lasallians, and was a founding member of the De La Salle — College of Saint Benilde — based quartet Innersoul. It was at Benilde where he took Multimedia Arts and was with the baseball varsity team.

Boy wonder Duncan Ramos, on the other hand, who was already in the limelight at the age 9, when he was discovered by Gary V and waxed his album at age 12, was the team captain of the San Beda Taekwondo team of which he was a part of for eight years. It was in San Beda where he took up Business Management.

"This is the best set up ever of South Border", Jay concludes, and bassist Tata Balane and saxophonist Ric Junasa couldn’t help but agree.

While the band was known or identified by its romantic/sentimental songs, and its danceable tunes when their former vocalists were with the band, today, "Mas maganda, mas maraming kanta, maraming choices, magkakaiba ang style", says guitarist Butch Victoriano, 34.

Vince, who did a stint touring with sexy rapper Chill, but only started rapping when he joined South Border, can do Eminem, Ja Rule and Nelly. He also contributed lyrics to the next album.

Duncan, who can also do a mean Mariah and Whitney can definitely hit high notes.

And Jay, who is too modest in saying that "I’m more of a musician; I’m not such a good singer" does back-up vocals to the two.

Expect a great sixth album South Border, Episode 3 which will be launched just in time for the opening of school sometime second week of June.

The album will be "more mature" and will reflect "a more massive sound, a different-sounding South Border. A lot of people will be surprised na ganito na ang tunog ng South Border. We tried to take it one step forward," says Sharon.

But, and that’s a big but, there’s really nothing like seeing (and hearing) the band up close and personal at Aruba Bar And Restaurant where the band performs in a very special and rare show tomorrow night at 10.

"The band is very excited to perform in such an intimate venue where the audience and band can interact very closely. We really look forward to performing at Aruba", Sharon says.

Expect the romantic songs the band has always been known for, as well as covers of latest hits by foreign artists, and danceable hip-hop and R&B tunes. In other words, expect a party! The event is sponsored by Bailey’s and Ponstan 250.

Aruba Bar and Restaurant is located at 2/F Plantation Bldg., E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City (right across Shopwise).