Songs from home

At a time when sales are down and music labels and buyers are having a hard time making the transition to digital stores, it is such a wonderful surprise finding the CD Tunog Natin, Songs From Home from Avida. What is Avida? It is the Avida Land Corp. and is in the land development business. I hope that Avida is one of the responsible ones. I mean I hope that they do not just make roads and buildings and subdivisions but that they also renew and preserve the land and its creatures. 

So what is Avida Land Corp. doing releasing an album like Tunog Natin? It turns out that Avida has adopted Filipino music as its advocacy and recently staged a series of concerts featuring local artists. Audience reaction to the shows was so good that they felt that producing a CD was the most natural off-shoot of the undertaking. I never saw any of the concerts but I was happy to find out that the album is well made and so distinctively Filipino. Truth to tell, it is such a joy to listen to that I hope that Avida has also made it available in the stores so that everyone can hear these recordings.

The title Tunog Natin, Songs From Home says it clearly, the album is made up of Filipino songs but recorded as collaborations by two different artists. This is what makes the CD quite interesting. That means old and new songs, new and established artists, a rapper and a rocker or a folkie and a balladeer or a jazz artist and a hip-hopper. The songs are simply arranged, all easy on the ears. Listen and I am sure that you too will say that each one is proof of how talented Filipino artists are. Hearing these songs really makes me sad that there are still artists and producers around who try to sound foreign when we already have treasures such as these.

Project coordinator of Tunog Natin, Songs From Home is Myrus Apacible while producer and musical director is Jonathan Ong. The album includes Pumapatak Ang Ulan by the Apo Hiking Society remade by Tanya Markova and Arnee Hidalgo; Parokya Ni Edgar’s Harana now performed by 1:43; Rey Valera’s song for Sharon Cuneta, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko by Tricia Garcia and Gloc-9; Kay Sarap Mabuhay, a new composition by Myrus performed by McCoy Fundales and Barbie Almalbis; Butch Monserrat’s Metropop finalist Umagang Kay Ganda by Medwin Marfil of True Faith and Sheng Belmonte.

There are also Panalangin also by the Apo, as a duet by original Apo Jim Paredes and Faith Cuneta; Noel Cabangon’s Kanlungan by Myrus and Princess Velasco; Beep Beep, a new song by Jonathan Ong recorded by the band Kiss Jane; the Dawn’s Salamat now by Letter Day Story which got to record with Pinoy Rock icon Pepe Smith; and Heto Ako by everybody in the cast. The final track is an original song written by Jonathan and is the theme of the Tunog Natin Filipino music advocacy.

Now, I would appreciate it very much if somebody from Avida could tell me how people could get copies of Tunog Natin. Also, since they have gotten the ball rolling, coming up with another volume of Filipino songs and more collaborations would be really nice.

Still on original Pilipino music. Here are the Top 20 titles in last week’s Pinoy MYX Countdown of the most requested videos: Forevermore by David Archuleta; Tuloy, the theme for the 100th year anniversary of Coca-Cola by Sarah Geronimo, Somedaydream and Gary Valenciano; Moving Closer by Never The Strangers; In Love With You by Christian Bautista and Angeline Quinto; Whispered Fear by Rachelle Ann Go; Da Facebook Song (Ang Ganda Ganda Mo) by Tanya Markova; 12:51 by Krissy & Ericka; Dear Lonely by Zia Quizon; It Can’t Be Me by Pitik; Fallen by Q-York.

To Reach You by Anja Aguilar; Happy by Emmanuelle; Moves Like Jagger by Sabrina; Aminin Mo Naman by Hidden Nikki; Pag-ibig by Yeng Constantino; Daang Daang Dahilan by Razorback; Walang Kaso by Kjwan; Dahil Ikaw by Mayonnaise; Love You More by The Lamars; and Catch You by R-Jay.