The still salty music of: Lolita Carbon

Just as no female rocker has emerged to equal the success and impact on Filipino music generated by Sampaguita, there too has not been anybody who can hold a candle to Lolita Carbon. The earthy beauty with the moving vocals composed and popularized some of the most enduring folk songs from the late ’70s and remains the female voice of social conscience to this day.

Lolit could have been another Nora Aunor. She started her career as a kid, singing tunes like Eddie Peregrina’s Mardy, while accompanying herself on the guitar. She could have been a belting pop diva. Her winning piece at the Tita Betty Children’s Show was Impossible Dream. Or maybe another soul siren like Tammi Terrell. Baby, You’ve Got What It Takes was one of her early numbers. But it was while performing Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee in a folk house that she was discovered. And Lolit became a folk singer.

Lolit became the lead singer and only female member of Salt Of The Earth which was composed of Pendong Aban on bass guitar; Nonoy Pillora, Jr. on guitar; and Saro Banares on lead guitar. All of them could also write songs and it was the recordings so rich in social commentary that they made as Asin, they translated Salt of the Earth into the Filipino word for salt, that turned them into music icons.

Asin recorded four albums. Asin, Himig Ng Lahi, Mga Awit Ng Bayan Kong Pilipinas and Himig Ng Kayumanggi. Each of these produced songs that after nearly 30 years continue to be played on the radio, performed everywhere and provide inspiration for aspiring Filipino folk singers. None of them will be another Asin or Lolit Carbon but trying brings results and one or two might come close or who knows be so new, so original, and create such massive impact that they will bring about the resurgence of folk music in these times.

Fans as well as younger music lovers who want to hear the music of Asin would be glad to know that the group’s biggest hits have been compiled in one album for the 18 Greatest hits series. These are Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran and Ang Bayan Kong Sinilangan (Cotabato) composed by Lolit and Saro; Himig Ng Pag-ibig, Kahapon At Pag-ibig and Pagbabalik by Lolit; Balita, Magnanakaw, Gising Na Kaibigan, Sayang Ka, Anak Ng Sultan and Itanong Mo Sa Mga Bata by Saro; Ang Buhay Ko and Tuldok by Nonoy; Pag-asa and Ang Mahalaga by Pendong; Hangin, Sandaklot and Mga Limot Na Bayani by Pendong and Nonoy.

Asin parted ways in the late `80s. Nonoy went off to pursue his love for painting. Pendong formed his own group called Ang Grupong Pendong. Saro went solo but was unfortunately killed in a bar fight in Cotabato. Lolit formed her own group named Nene. If I remember right, it was during this period that she composed Usok and Ilog Mo Ay Irog Ko. Nene is still around but Lolit mostly does the solo route while on tour.

Lolit as a solo act still performs the songs of Asin in her shows. She is doing some tonight when she joins other Pinoy folk rock heroes in Ugat The Concert at the Araneta Coliseum. It will be a night of beautiful, meaningful all Filipino music with Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol, Wally Gonzales of the Juan de la Cruz Band, Sampaguita, Lolita Carbon, Heber Bartolome, Gary Granada, Noel Cabangon and Florante, for the first time in one show.

Bit of trivia here. Did you know that Asin’s Balita was the inspiration behind The Apl Song by the Black Eyed Peas? Apl de Ap, the Pinoy member of the hitmaking foursome claimed that he saw his impoverished childhood in the song. Looks like Apl de Ap is a staunch admirer of our folk singers because he also recentIy did some sessions for a cut in his solo album with Florante.

Incidentally the 18 Greatest Hits series of hit albums also includes one by Florante. This includes Handog, Ako’y Pinoy, Pinay, Musika, Digmaan, Daliri, Ako’y Tao, Awiting Sariling Atin, Bahay, Nagtanan (Unang Yugto), Ang Bisaya, Tapayan (Kwentong Baliw), Nais Ko Sanang Malaman (Itanong Mo Sa Patay), ‘Di Ko Kailangan, Ibon, Ako, Si Tatang and Gitara Ko.