By Darwin Fernandez | Photos By Bernard Testa
as Interviewed By Alma Anonas-Carpio |
Ever since the a new degree of political activism sprung in the 70s along with a more vocal and socially concerned public art itself took a deep turn in the Philippines; more than just aesthetics to please the senses, artists have taken it upon themselves to make art with a purpose.
Among the cultures of art that began to spring in the Philippines in this time was the vast Punk scene that vocalised the social and economic woes of the struggling classes of society. Some of the most iconic names in punk took the stage in the early 80s and most of them have continued to live on and make music that still remains relevant in the modern age like WUDS who recently announced their new album Alay.
From the same strings and percussion that pioneered Filipino punk, Bobby Balingit (vocals and guitar), Alfred Guevarra (Bassist) and Aji Adriano (Drums) are still a trio that’s worth listening to.
Shared goal
Sharing the stage back when the Philippines didn’t have internet connection the group played their tunes in the same time groups like Third World Chaos, Urban Bandits, Betrayed, Dead Ends, G.I. and the Idiots and other names that etched the brand of local punk. After decades with playing together, they share their story on what keeps the bond alive.
“We share a common goal: na mataas ang diwa ng tao,” Balingit said, “ang pagsusulat kritikal sa pagiinfluence ng buhay ng tao, dapat ang samahan maingat siya sa kanyang binabahagi, kasi either ma-contaminate mo yung tao, or mapalaya mo.”
(We share a common goal: to lift a person’s consciousness, writing is critical in influencing lives, the group should be careful in what they share, because you either contaminate the person or free it.)
An artist’s duty
Guevarra noted that the things we listen to influence a person’s life and even song that are simple like the common inuman preached in songs contribute to the formation of values.
“Kung hindi ka responsible sa kinakanta, either na-iimpluwensyahan mo sila sa maganda o mabuti,” Guevarra said.
(If you’re not responsible with what you sing, you either become a good or bad influence to them)
Balingit said there are two types of duties that an artist should consider in his work. Occupational duty is the literal job while prescribed duty is a duty that’s more on the non-physical aspects of a person.
He says, “Ang artist ay may duty and dapat mong tanggapin yun as an occupational duty, trabaho mo yan, at dapat malinaw din sa kanya ang prescribed duty– meron kang fino-follow na prescription para maging mahusay ang iyong pagpapahayag, sa akin and prescribed duty ko ay nag a-accept ako ng summon na meron dapat akong pinaniniwalaan, pinagsisilbihan, para yung duty ko ay maging correct.”
(An artist has an occupational duty, it your job, and it should be clear to them their prescribed duty—you follow a prescription that ensures you’re good at what you preach, as for me I my prescribed duty is that I accept a summon to have faith and to serve so my duty is correct.)
Guevarra added, “Ang occupational duty mo is yung pag sisilbi mo sa society mo, pamilya at bansa, pero merong word na ‘Dharma’ na ang ibig sabihin ay ang ‘pinaka mataas na duty, which is duty mo sa Dyos.’ If you have abundant duty, everything is nourishment”
“You occupational duty is your service to society, your family and nation, but there is a word called ‘Dharma’ which refers to the highest duty which is to God. If you have abundant duty, everything is nourishment.”
Alay
Outside the stereotypes of punk rockers, WUDS carried a culture of peace, love and consciousness reflected in its lyrics, melody, and even in how the members viewed and lived life.
In this toxic modern political climate divided in pro and anti, Guevarra noted that people should ‘rise above.’
He said, “Pag naglalakad ka dito sa material world walang perfect na government unless santo ang naka upo, saint meaning they come as a true lover of god. Our message, simplified, is maging santo ka, maging pure ka so pagkamatay mo babalik ka sa Diyos.”
Balingit added, “Ang mundo ay may di pa naiintindihan sa material world, kaya mag struggle lagi. Di pwedeng i reject ang duality, material and spiritual, merong right and wrong. People think masasatisfy sila ng material, pero kahit si Steve Job pa yan, nakakranas siya ng matinding kalungkutan.Ang intelligence ng tao mas-mataas kumpara sa animal kingdom meron tayong higher na pagunawa sa love,” and added the current politics lack sympathy and empathy.
Balingit says that the band hasn’t been much different maybe for a new look and if anything, the message they carry has gotten more detailed and characterised by their melody.
“Ang WUDS hangagang ngayon ay nagsususlat pa dahil malinaw ang duty ng kailangang gawin, di lang siya [politika] usapin ng ekonomiya, usapin to ng duty, kasi kung ganun na siya ka hopeless dapat tumigil na kami,” he affirmed, “ang ibig sabihin ng duty is ginawa na namin yung trabaho namin– succesful o hindi, dahil ginawa namin, correct pa rin yan.”
Following their last two albums, the anti-war track “Ang Umibig Sa ‘Yo” (“One Who Loved You”) that became a hit on Philippine alternative radio stations and the 1997 release “Nakaupo Sa Puso” (Sitting on the Heart) their new album Alay hopes to continue the legacy of punk music that serves a good influence in the lives of WUDS’ listeners.
(The album now available for pre order and for more information in future gigs and reservations follow them @wudsmusic.)
Image credits: Bernard Testa