How I Met Ka Heber

 

I first met heber in the early 90s when I went with a musician friend to visit him at his house which was then in New York st in cubao. It was also his gallery and his work area where we found him busy painting on the canvas. We discussed a few things, mostly on art, music and philosophical stuff which I am acustomed to after spending years under Ibarra dela Rosa’s class in college of Fine Arts in PWU where discussions on philosophical stuff goes on for hours.

I heard of Banyuhay ni Heber in college listening to a lot of pinoy rock. And when I got into an art organization who does stage design and visual art performances in concerts for a cause, I was able to watch the band perform several times. Notable was their performance in Quezon Memorial Circle where they had that powerful line up – brothers Heber, Levi and Jess along with drummer Flor Mendoza. I admired their songs as it was different from most pinoy rock ditties. Theirs was always about something social and political.

My visit to his pad in cubao became frequent. We later on discussed several issues about the music industry, this time in his office. At this point he was running a music label called Akasha Records and I thought I wanted to learn about how the industry works. Ka heber would then bring me to several meetings with people in the industry. Sometimes leaving me there on my own at Club Filipino, representing his company in front of CEOs and GMs of various record labels. He would also bring me to recording studios where I acted like a look out making sure that things are done right. I remember going to Abbey Road – not the studio in London, but the one in Makati. I also met a lot of his artists including one member of Mga Anak ng Tupa who made an album under his label.

My frequent stay on his office did not last long as he had to move to Banlat in Tandang Sora which was too far for my convinience. I would later on become busy with my band and we would seldom meet.

After several years, I found myself running a record label of some sort along with some muscian friends. I would later realize that it must have been Ka Heber’s ideas and our discussions which influenced me to formulate Indiepinoy, a record label for independent artists.

We would later meet again when Indiepinoy was expanding its network with organizations in the music industry and Ka Heber was organizing Malayang Ugnayan sa Industriya ng mga Komposer ng Awit or MUSIKA. We would get together to discuss issues on musicians rights and welfare. We would even go to congress and sit on a congressional hearings when musicians rights are involved. Our meetings were held either in my house in Sampaloc, Manila or in his place in Banlat, Tandang Sora. Most of our discussion now were more concrete than those we discussed before in New York st., Cubao. With the help of Skarlet we were picking up pieces of the puzzle to formulate a stronger guild that will represent the musicians and the composers. Ka Heber tried to convince me to join his group MUSIKA and give it a strong leadership but he knew I was already busy with Indiepinoy and understood my cause. So he did not really insisted as we can work together anyway. But I felt that he was building MUSIKA to be more than an organization, maybe a CMO of some sort or probably a guild. He had with him personalities in the pinoy rock scene along with a group of new breed songwriters and singers. I felt he wanted me to help him expand his group with the same extensive number of members Indiepinoy had at that time.

We did organize a few concerts including one held at the Rizal Auditorium’s Concert at the Park. This was to commemorate Bonifacio’s 150th birthday. A few more meetings were held here and there, including one organized by atty Rod Domingo, the lawyer who was able to win a class suit and recover millions for Marcos victims. This was attended by really influential personalities and the agenda was quite radical especially having in the attendance, people who had first hand experience of corruption and brutality in the music industry. Ka Heber showed me how the industry really looks like. The good and the bad.

This is how I met Ka Heber. We were both organizers and we both have visions of how the industry should work and to whom should it serve. Most people will see the genius of his songs. I see how he felt about the people who make such songs. He was ahead of me and he knows more than me. Even if I would deny it, deep inside me I know he was a big influence.

Later on I would here several stories from different people about Ka Heber. Including that one story Emil Sanglay told be of how they had an argument with Ka Heber and left him in the middle of the grassland. I am not the one to judge about those stories I heard. He is only human anyway.

But I will surely miss him.

Not an Ordinary Day at the Office

(This article was a seat work in an English literature class in PWU around 1989).

She entered the office along with her mother. It was almost noon and most of my office mates were down at the cafeteria eating their lunch. The office is almost bare except for some medical equipment we use to service the needs of workers from various industrial firms in Manila.

Here I am standing in front of them. Her mother did most of the talking. I was as if she could not speak. The mother introduced her daughter as elena, a 16 year old factory worker from a large textile factory in Valenzuela. According to her mother, elena was abuse by her employer less than a week ago.

"Elena was fired when she forgot to load a fresh spool of thread into the machine she was assigned to handle." Explains the mother. "She pleaded for mercy and her employer agreed to hire her as a maid in his home instead."

"During the first two days in her employer's home, she was locked-up, beaten and raped. It was such an ordeal which affectedalmost every inch of her body and mind. It was a good thing she was able to break free when sympathetic neighbors heard her screams and notified the police."

I could not believe such things actually happen. I looked at her bruises. They were almost everywhere. But then she does not react whenever her mother touches her arms. It is as if she could not feel a thing. Her eyes blank. Her nostrils were big and pulsating. I think deep inside her she was crying.

Then I stood up and told both of them to wait inside a room. I have to call the doctor who will attend to their needs.

How to clean Toilet (sic)

(This article is a school seat work about linear process explanation. It is a group work by Nolit Abanilla, Ma. Jeremiah T. Balbuena and Ma. Alma P. Duron for an english literature class in PWU sometime in 1989.)

Cleaning the toilet is always a drag. You must degrade yourself, kneel down and do the scrubbing. But before that, you must consider somethings.

First, see to it that your windows are closed. You don't want to let your handsome neighbor see you in your most humiliating position.

Then you must use an appropriate detergent. Do not use your imported "floral scented" soap on the white porcelain just because you want it to smell good. A good active cleanser with deodorizer will do. Dash a few of these into the john. You might need some strong acid or toilet bowl cleaner. Pour some of these generously, and set aside for a few minutes.

Now you can start scrubbing. Scrub very well and do not leave any space unsubscrubed (sic). Make that brownish gray "holy seat" look sparkling white. And feel the glory of that miraculous change.

After scrubbing, you must wash away the soap. You can wipe bowl (sic) with a clean rag if you wish.

Finally, your toilet is clean. Now you can call your 5-year-old brother to sprinkle the toilet with god-knows-what in a manner most playful little boys do.

(Apparently the teacher did not like the story as she gave the piece a low grade of 2.50 with a note saying "topic is very ordinary." But I think she should have given us a better grade as the purpose of the seat work was to demonstrate linear process explanation, and we did a good job on it regardless of what topic we choose. Well, you cannot please everybody.)

Combat Apathy

(Unpublished article intended for Philwomenian in 1988)

Apathy has always been an obstacle to Social Development. In this world of conflicts, apathy is never absent, serving its own interest. Such a selfish path one would take.

Apathy is defined as one's avoidance to be involved in any struggle or conflict. Apathy include liberalism which follows the reconciliation philosophy. We all have heard people say "We must be fair, we must listen to both sides of the story, there is always right and wrong on both sides, If we could only get people to talk to one another and sort out their misunderstandings and misconceptions, conflict could be resolved." It sounds like a genuine concern for fairness and justice, yet later we will find out that liberalism stands for unprincipled peace.

NOT ALL CONFLICTS CAN BE RECONCILED

We must take in mind that not all conflicts are based on misunderstanding and must be reconciled. In some conflict, one side is right and the other is wrong, one side is being unjust and oppressive and the other is suffering injustice and oppression. Thus one must take side. Being Christians, we are not supposed to try to reconcile good and evil, just and injustice. We are supposed to do away with evil, injustice and sin.

Neutrality is not always possible. In cases of conflict due to injustice and oppression, neutrality is totally impossible. If we do not take sides with the oppressed, then we are unintentionally taking sides with the oppressors. Since being neutral hides the nature of the conflict. The injustice continues and everybody is made to feel that the injustice doesn't matter because the tension and conflict have been reduced. It keeps the oppressed quiet and passive and brings about a kind of pseudo-reconciliation without justice.

It is wrong to assume that tension and conflict are worse evils than injustice and oppression. It only shows one's cowardliness to confront conflicts. They are those who are not convinced of the need for change and lack of hope. They rather flee to escapism from the realities of injustice and conflicts.

Thus, it shows that being liberal is being apathetic to realities, and being neutral is a way of siding with the oppressor. In a conflict if one side is right we must recognize this and side with them, just as Jesus sided with the poor. If the other side is wrong and in power, we must oppose them and dethrone them from power. We must realize the real root of many conflicts - The oppressive structure being implemented by the rich. God didn't actually hated the rich. What he simply meant, is that he wants to pull the rich and powerful from their thrones, from their position in the society, because the structures of the society are unjust and oppressive (Luke 1:52:53)

God said "Love our enemies." This does not mean for us to convert the rich and those in power to stop the oppression. The only effective way of loving our enemies is to engage in action that will destroy the system that makes them our enemies. In other words, for the sake of love and for the sake of true peace, we must side with the poor and the oppressed and confront the rich and powerful, and join the struggle against what they stand for and what they are defending.

Remember, God wants peace that is based on truth, justice and love and not the superficial peace and unity that compromise truth, covers over the injustices and that is usually settled on for thoroughly selfish purposes.

Advance peace based on social justice and not on apathy.

'IWASAN ANG CLIMATE NF COMPETITION SA MUSIKA' - NOLIT ABANILLA

(Published in theophirianchronicles.com, by Ravenson Biason, October 6, 2019)

“Ang aking opinyon naman ay iwasan natin ang ‘climate ng kompetisyon’ sa musika. Lumang konsepto ito, kung saan sinusuportahan ang komersyalismo sa music. Ang opinyon ko ng maganda ay maaring hindi maganda sa iba. Ito ay bunga ng aking kamulatan at iba't iba ang ating mga kinagisnan. Kung ang maganda ay opinyon ng isang may "katungkulan" ibig bang sabihin ito na ang maganda sa lahat?”

“Huwag tayo magpaloko. Lahat tayo ay nakikinig ng mang aawit at ng mga awitin. Huwag natin limitahan sa iilan lang ang pwede natin pakinggan. Ang away sa isyu ng composer at singer ay bunga lang ng sitwasyung ito sa industriya ng music. Lahat sila ay biktima sa paniniwalang kompetisyon. Wala tayo dapat pag awayan. Lahat tayo ay makinig sa sari saring musika ng mas nakakarami. Hindi lang ng iilan. Payagang magtanghal ang lahat ng musikero lalu na yung nasa independent scene para marinig ng lahat ng hindi naglalaban laban. Ito ang dapat.”

ISYU SA MGA COVER SONGS

Hindi lahat ng songwriters alam ito kaya pinag uusapan tuloy sa social media at madami ang nagkakamali ng decision. Aware si Youtube sa copyright laws (synch rights specifically). When someone uploads a video of a cover song to youtube, mayroon itong tinatawag na Content ID system.

Automatically iniiscan ni Youtube lahat ng content na inauupload sa youtube at kapag ang content mo ay naglalaman ng song na nasa Content ID system nila meron ito sinusunod na option based on sa kung ano ang isinet ng publisher ng song thru its aggregator. Pwedeng (1) allow ng publisher na ma-stream ang (cover) song but publisher will get all the monetization from the video, (2) not allow the song to be streamed at all and mute it from the video, (3) Block the video, (4) Restrict the viewing in certain teritiories/countries or block on certain platforms. Makikita ang action na ito along with the description ng video. And decision ng options na ito ay manggagaling sa publisher ayon sa dictate ng songwriter (or kung ano man ang pinagusapan nila), at ipapasa sa aggregator na syang susundin ni youtube. Ikaw, ano sa palagay mo mas gusto mo mangyari? Wag i-allow na me mag cover ng kanta mo at maging exclusive lang talaga sa version mo?

Or hayaang sumikat ang kanta mo at kumita ka nang wala ka nang kahirap hirap, walang ginawa sa bahay, or naglalaro lang ng candy crush? Tandaan lamang na naayon ang kita mo actual na kita ng produkto at porsyento lang ang nakukuha mo. At syempre to show courtesy, dapat i-acknowledge ng singer yung song mo at ikaw as a songwriter. Pero, usually automatically nilalagay naman ni Youtube ito sa description in case nakaligtaan mong banggitin na cover song ito.

My point here is, be aware but dont be alarmed too much regarding copyright issues of your songs on digital platform or social media in general. The internet is not a jungle of theives with no rules or police. The structures follow rules and are even more specific according to country. Mas nakakatakot nga sa real world dahil may areas na di nasusubaybayan ang mga magnanakaw ng kanta. Sa digital world lahat ay na tetrace at nababantayan.

So how do you get your song included on Youtube's Content ID system? Release them to digital stores via aggregator thru your publisher. Nandito lang ang @Indiepinoy makakatulong sa inyo dyan (shameless plug - hehehe).

Part 2 naman ito ng issue tungkol sa Youtube cover song. Kung ikaw naman ay mag cocover ng song at ipopost mo sa Youtube, be aware of the rights that Youtube is allowing you to do. Buti nga pinadali ni youtube ang sistema at hindi ka na maghahagilap kung sino ba ang publisher ng kantang kinanta mo at humingi ng permission or mag bayad. First be courteous and acknowledge the songwriter. Pwede din the original singer kung di mo alam ang songwriter, usually the songwriter will bow to that and accept your acknowledgement. Be aware that you are not doing the cover version to earn money.

Kung gusto mo kumita then you should get mechanical rights to record the song and release it for selling either in physical cd or in digital stores. This will get your percentage of profit when your version is uploaded to youtube as it will now be included in the content ID system. Kung ang song mo ay kasama dun sa nag option to block or not allow other to cover your song, sorry ka nalang at pwedeng ma take down yung cover song video mo or ma mute. Lets respect the songwriter nalang if they choose this option for whatever reason they have. Karapatan nila un.

Remember hindi masama mag cover ng song. Others do this to have their take on the song. Others do this as a way to get popular. Others do it for whatever reason they have. Kung ikaw ay walang ibang ginagawa kundi mag cover ng mag cover ng songs at hindi gumawa ng original song, ok lang yan. Wag ka lang mag expect na matawag na songwriter. Pero choice mo yan. Marami namang dyan singers na magaling kumanta pero hindi marunong mag compose ng song.

I am just hoping sa mga Pinoy na wag naman tayo maging mapanghusga at manglait agad ng mga musikero dahil puro covers lang ang ginagawa nila. Hindi mo sila pwedeng sabihin na hindi sila magaling na singer dahil wala silang sariling kanta. Singer sila. Hindi naman definition ng singer ang gumawa ng original song. Songwriter un. Kung songwriter din ung singer, e di ok.

Pero, hindi ibig sabihin mas magaling na singer sya kasi songwriter din sya. Ang kanta tulad ng lahat ng arts ay hindi dapat ipinag-cocompete with each other. Lahat naman yan pwede natin pakinggan. Mag enjoy nalang tayo sa mga awiting ito. One way or another nagiging bahagi ito sa buhay natin. At napakinabangan natin ito. Salamat sa kumanta at nag- compose.

ANO ANG DAPAT PALAKASIN? (Indie music at hindi ang mainstream OPM)

(Published on Philippineone.com a blogsite about positive change, connection, a conduit by which free stream of ideas and designs for change can flow incessantly. We aim to enthusiastically REBUILD a nation that is ripe for RECONSTRUCTION and REFORMATION. Dec 25, 2019 by Ravenson Biason.)

(Also published on afiilipinosong.com, December 25, 2019)

Ano ang dapat palakasin? Ang indie music and mainstream OPM?

Ang dapat palakasin ay ang kapangyarihan ng bawat Pilipino sa industriya ng musika, upang makapagdesisyon ng sarili para maitahak ang tamang direksyon ng musikang Pilipino. Dapat palakasin ang ekonomiyang istruktura sa musikang pilipino upang maitaguyod ang musikerong Pilipino sa sarili nitong kakayahang pangpinansyal.

Kailangan palakasin ang mga organisasyon sa musika na tunay na nagtataguyod sa kapakanan ng mga musiko, kaugnay sa mga pangangailangang pangkaligtasan, kalusugan at karapatan. Kailangan palakasin ang mga oportunidad sa lahat ng larangan ng media para marinig ang musikang Pilipino, bago man o luma.

Hindi dapat palakasin ang musikang matagal nang malakas at naghahari sa ere, at malaki na ang kinita ng mga nasa mapang-aping mga istruktura na tumatapak sa mga maliliit na mga musiko, mga-aawit at kompositor.

Hindi dapat palakasin ang mga organisasyon na matagal nang naghahari sa industriya at hindi man nakakatulong sa mga musikerong nagkakasakit, nakandamatay na o tumanda na ng wala man lang pagkilala sa kontribusyon sa industriya. Hindi dapat palakasin ang mga organisasyong nagpapanggap na kumakatawan ng nakararaming musiko, mang-aawit at kompositor at patuloy na naglalahad ng mga huwad na programang hindi naman nakakatulong sa mas nakararaming kalahok sa industriya ng musika.

Maging mulat sa katothanan. Ito ay isang maiking mensahe ng INDIEPINOY sa Musikang Pilipino. INDIEPINOY- EMPOWERING THE INDEPENDENT FILIPINO ARTISTS.

Our blog update

I have decided to host my blog on my own website located at nolits.com. You can now visit this link and it contains all other information of me and my works. Although its still a work in progress as we are populating the contents especially the art and photo galleries and other literature stuff. I think this will take forever. So it would be wise to visit our site from time to time to see any updates. There are other parts of the site which I am still undecided, like on how to manage the Phoney Talks and how to post all the essays and literature I have created. Also on how I will showcase the comics section. These are a lot of things that will surely keep me busy.

As for the blogspot, I am retaining it as a mirror from the main site which is hosted on my own nolits.com. You can view new entries as what I post on my own blog will be reposted on blogspot automatically. (fingers crossed) You can leave comments but don't expect me to answer soon as I will not be as active as I am on nolits.com.

That is for now. Catch you later.