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Balangiga
1901
The Show
Balangiga
1901 started at 7:45 p.m. with Jig-jig Aņover doing two
instrumental pieces. One was a well interpreted cover and the last
one a stirring original titled "Because of You". At around
8:10 p.m. Professor Rolando Borrinaga took the stage to read the
gist of his up and coming book about the Balangiga Incident. Many in
the audience, especially a sizeable number of expatriates were held
awestruck by the story.
By 8:50,
Gilbert Carilla did an intense 4 song set comprised of covers raging
from Bob Marley to an obscure cebuano folk song flavored with
flamenco guitars. By this time the audience was beginning to
loosen-up and was upfront in appreciating Carilla's performance.
Campo
Xanto started their set at 9:30. The band's set was a mix of
originals and covers that was highly praised by the audience.
Surprisingly, many were singing along to the band's originals
especially Balangiga 1901 and their trip-hoppy/ drum n'bass version
of the local folksong "Inday-inday Nakain ka". Both songs
are going to be included in the Balangiga compilation album. Campo
Xanto's performance was punctuated by some light banter about the
Balangiga incident and the surprise announcement that there were
Balangiga 1901 demo cds taped at the bottom of some chairs.
Campo
Xanto ended their set at 11:00 pm. with the audience still asking
for more songs. After a brief lull, Gilbert Carilla and Jerby Santo
of Campo Xanto did an acoustic set from the Beatles, Sting and Nat
King Cole. Gilbert Carilla then continued playing solo. Due to the
request of the audience Campo Xanto performed again and then did an
impromptu four song set.
At
11:45, local folksong luminary Jasper took the stage and played
songs from Gary Granada, Joey Ayala, Florante (?!) and many other
crowd pleasers. Jasper's set and the whole show finally ended at
2 a.m..
Attendance
The
audience was estimated at around 60 to 100. Considering the venue's
average floor area and the non-use of the tables in the al fresco
part of Kyle's, the audience filled the venue too well. The
demographics of the audience were students, yuppies, expatriates,
NGO workers, businessmen and government workers. Also, the presence
of some youths from Balangiga made the show more memorable for many.
Awareness
The
shows lightness was somehow a kick-on-the-door in bridging the
academic/NGO beginnings of the campaign to bring back the bells,
into the mainstream consciousness of the Warays. The initial
reception of Professor Borrinaga's discourse and the great
demand for the free RMs about the Balangiga Incident was a good
success indicator.
The
Venue
Kyle's
rustic interiors complemented the theme of the night. Posters of the
event was all over the venue. The highlight was the huge
Balangiga 1901 artwork, mounted at the stage. The service of the
staff was very efficient. The venue's lighting as well its P.A.
system was very professional except for a few problematic cords
which stalled the set of Campo Xanto.
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