Firestarter

No, they’re not the song popularized by Kamikazee.. and definitely not the local super heroine’s alter ego…

Make way for NARDA…(thunder bolts and lightning flashes not included…)

Katwo Librando - vocals
Ryan Villena - drums
Tani Santos - guitar
Yaps Estagle - synths

Jason Caballa (band guitarist-Pedicab and music editor) wrote a feature in the October issue of Pulp Magazine about this group whose roots can be traced to indie rock, and now turning the tables for yet another ground-breaking reinvention of their beats. Theirs is an ensemble that primarily includes synthesizers, drums, guitars, (minus the bass) and a lady vocalist whose high pitched voice is even enhanced with a megaphone. Put it all together and you get a satisfying disco punk rock experience.

The band has evolved in fusing different musical influences, but still has a solid affinity to rock/ indie music. Proving they could rock, they are the recipient of the much coveted "In the Raw" award in 2003 NU 107’s rock awards.

Their brand-spanking new release Discotillon is irritatingly addictive. It is an 11-track album full of holler yet can bring your feet on the dance floor, a rush of noise in your ears but something you would want to play over and over, until, without notice, you just had your last song syndrome!

Pedicab’s music is almost similar to Narda’s; they could be siblings in the music scene, and definitely no sibling rivalry whatsoever. Pedicab pioneered in introducing this lively and smacking tune which gained popularity and recognition with the release of their debut Tugish Takish (winner of Best New Artist in 2004) from a bunch of music critics and almost anyone who has a flair for groovy beats and punk music. (whoever thinks that disco was a crime sure misses half of his life) Not to mention the funky music videos and use of brilliant lighting and effects which compliment their unique music genre.

Me and my friends witnessed their album launch last October in Saguijo, and oh gravity, that was superb! People were standing on chairs to see a glimpse of Katwo Librando, the band vocalist, complete with long eyelashes and that sexy little black dress by Kate Torralba, as she screams her heart out, with all-out spunk, angst, and total control over the microphone. Hand claps can be heard all over the venue after each song. A friend of mine even bought the album on that evening, and had it signed by one of its producers (Mike D. on drums-Pedicab and Sandwich) when we visited the NU booth during the First Set performance of Pedicab (I had mine signed too by the band members themselves) 

My personal favorites include: Ang Mitsa (Lagi nang ako…nahuhuli), Gasolina (Paandarin mo ako, paliyabin mo ako) Molotov (Hipan mo na ang salbabida) and 100 Taon (Isang daan taon, isang daang luha). Take note: all their songs are written in the vernacular. How patriotic!

Narda is under Terno Recordings (with Drip, Radioactive Sago Project, Paramita, Updharmadown, Juan Pablo Dream, Wahijuara), popular in the indie pub scene for taking rock music to a higher level, with prog rock, synths, electronic, vintage, and punk, which is believed to be the future of rock and roll.

Let’s funk this dancefloor baby!

I was riding the Philcoa jeep en route to MRT when I saw a small pamphlet sticked on to the frontwall. So there is a call for "boycott" of classes tomorrow, November 23.. Meeting place: AS Steps in UP Diliman. This is In line with the 1000 peso increase per academic unit in the said university, which will be followed with a rally to Mendiola on the 24th. Sounds fun? Naah… In UP, loud yells with huge banners and streamers held by a marching crowd are as normal as one would drink coffee in the morning before going to work…

In an article I read by Prof. Solita "Mareng Winnie" Monsod last Saturday from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, she explained carefully this new policy. According to the adhoc committee headed by Noel De Dios of the UP College of Economics, the proposed tution fee changes will happen this way:

The students (freshmen by 2007) whose families’ income is at the bottom 36 percent (70K or less) in bracket E will have free tution plus a stipend of 12k per month 

Those students whose annual family income is at 36th-67th percentile (income of 70K-135K) or Bracket D will have 70% discount on tuition fee, (which also means that the P300 per unit will remain unchanged)

Those whose incomes are above 67-97 percent (range is 135K-500K)  or Bracket C will be discounted with 40 percent on their tuition

Meanwhile students with families who have high, high earnings ranging from P500,000 to a whopping 1 million annually (or more) will be the ones paying the actual P1000 per unit. Which means the low income families will not suffer. Which means that the rich will pay more since they can afford to pay. Which is socially equal since the "subsidized" form of education inherently applies to those who cannot afford it. Which is "justice and equality" still is the university’s goal.

And if that happens, UP will have little problems asking the government to allocate funds for the improvement of its facilities, given that the budget will come from the students themselves, to maintain its statute as the country’s premiere university. And also the additional income will be used as stipends or allowances for the poor students. I think, even though there are "slight" changes in tution fee, the increase is not comparable to those of, lets say, tution fee of La Salle or Ateneo. The noveau riche should be grateful or thank UP since they can avail quality education at a very reasonable cost. A "win-win" situation, eh?  This will take effect in school year 2007, which means that incoming UP students will be affected, and the old ones will pay the same amount.

And as for me, I will pay my tuition which will be deducted from my income.. and I am more than willing to do that, in the true spirit of socialization..

So, should I stay or should I go? I mean with the rallies