Of farewell and freedom:The bittersweet triumph of 3 vocalists

MANILA, Philippines - Saying goodbye is sad. But tears may actually turn into joy if something as irreversible as death gets a response as hopeful as life is.

In the local music scene, three artists have essentially reached the end of the road. But their journeys do not end there. They will all move on to new paths and are in high spirit to start new lives. Sadly, one of them won’t be able to do it as death had intervened. But people whose lives he touched have decided to keep his torch burning.

While the group Bamboo disintegrated into thin air almost without warning, Sugarfree chose to announce its break-up with a farewell concert dubbed Paalam Pilipinas held recently at Eastwood Central Plaza before a jam-packed crowd comprising of the band’s diehard fans.

The night’s most important question revolved around frontman Ebe Dancel’s plans after. He said he will take a much-needed rest first. Insiders seem to already know that he’s about to come up with a solo album under Warner Music to be released anytime soon.

Ebe, when asked if he would rechannel his songwriting once he comes back, said, “Things will never be the same but I’m still the same guy writing. In the meantime, I needed to take a break. Napagod ako especially sa last tour namin.”

The prolific hitmaker reasoned for their calling it quits that “lahat ng simula may wakas.” Bass player Jal Taguibao, on the other hand, expressed pride they were able to do a “graceful exit.”

The group performed four sets, singing all its hits that included Hair Ng Sablay, Mariposa, Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak, Makita Kang Muli and Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin. Sugarfree ended its last time together on stage with Tulog Na and Burnout.

Though fans may only have to look at The Dawn who years ago did a farewell concert of its own, only to return to active duty that continues to this day, the high-pitched singer ensured there’ll be no false hopes. “People should not expect something like that. I can’t make promises I can’t keep,” he said.

The master surely dominated the songwriting and singing departments throughout Sugarfree’s career. But it’s still different when things are done alone. Listeners will have to see if such liberty will bring Ebe’s craft to new heights. 

One of today’s distinctive lady vocalists, Jeazelle Grutas of Zelle laments the current band scene situation, with premier bands breaking up and no new acts really taking the charge. She is even more aching with the industry in general experiencing hard times for a number of reasons.

Her way out is to find greener pastures abroad. Thanks to the power of romance. That’s not far from happening.

Jov Kalinga, the musician who died and whose dad formed a tribute band for him

The voice behind the Zelle hit Sabihin and Gloc9’s Upuan (which she did in collaboration with the rapper), Jeazelle found love and got married to a Danish guy. She is set to go to Europe this summer and, in effect, will leave her band Zelle, though not for good.

“Our group is a victim of piracy and bad management. Disappointed kami, pero we’re not closing our doors and siyempre we’ll continue pa rin dito kung merong opportunity. Babalik-balik naman ako e,” she said in an interview.

Zelle is currently playing three-set regular gigs in some known bars in the metro, like Quattro along Timog, Q.C. Though that should be quite a curious turn for a band that already scored a couple of hits, the group’s drummer Jasper Grutas, Jeazelle’s brother, seems contented that they still get paid for doing what they love. “Para sa amin ang regular gigs ay practice na rin. Bayad pa kami,” he said.

The petite frontwoman who started singing at 17 revealed she is scheduled to do another record with Gloc9 after their collaboration won major recognition from both critics and music fans.  

Completing Zelle are guitarist Archie Salvador and bassist Enan Cruz.

The family of Jov Kalinga, son of a businessman who owns a forwarding company in Parañaque City, grieved endlessly when he met his untimely death in a freak accident at home. But the 24-year-old musician left something to lift the family’s spirit: his recorded original compositions.

Ding, the obviously in-pain dad who is also a musician, realized that the 50 or more compositions his son demoed can be of good use to keep his son’s voice alive. He gathered Jov’s friends and helped create a full-length album out of his son’s songs. The approach was kind of similar to John Lennon’s demo of Free As A Bird and Real Love being dressed up by the surviving Beatles in the ’90s.

The album, called Man On A Bicycle (titled after one of the tracks) is now finished, with two songs Sino? and Running Man already getting significant airplays on FM radio.

“He was a very quiet guy and very close kami,” recalled Ding, himself a competent guitar player who now sings Jov’s songs live. Her daughter Janine is being eyed to fill in the void left by their beloved departed.

Calling the tribute band Jov Kalinga Project, Ding believes the album is his way of still communicating with his son. It’s a move to acknowledge his boy’s talent and his heart for helping. In fact, Jov Kalinga Project is more than a recording and performing band, but also an initiative to help young talented musicians. Ding shared that down South Philippines he helped build a music school for the young who can’t afford to learn music — something Jov will surely be proud of doing.

Other songs on the album are Bulong, Tranquility, Solaya, Worried Mind, Free Fall, Masquerade, End to End, T.V. Screen, Pollenation, Downshift and For Your Honor (Father Song).

One of the group’s members is ex-Hale drummer Omni Saroca who vocally expressed that he owes Jov so much. “We were long-time friends and siya ang reason why I became a musician,” he closed.