For the children of the 90’s, many would agree that it was the renaissance of a new generation of Pinoy pop rock bands. Among the many notable groups that have risen in the 90’s band explosion were the Eraserheads, Rivermaya and Parokya ni Edgar. These bands have played a significant role in the lives of the Pinoy youth for their lyrics mirrored what every Pinoy teenager was going through. These days, however, only one band can be seen in the mainstream, still standing strong against the test of time, and has remained completely intact for 18 years—the Parokya ni Edgar (PNE) band.
Comprised of lead vocalist and songwriter Chito Miranda, back up vocalist Vinci Montaner, rhythm guitarist Gab Chee Kee, lead guitarist Darius Semaña, Buhawi Meneses on bass, and Dindin Moreno on drums, Parokya ni Edgar has come a long way from being a band of college students to being one of the most respected rock bands who have managed to maintain an unwavering support from kids of all ages up until this day.
The moods of their songs were a mix of everything: funny, satirical, melancholy, sometimes a bit green, and everything in between. When they first came out in 1993, they projected a band that was out there to play, let loose, and have fun. PNE has always been true to their skin; with a modest set sans the fancy stage or gimmicks. They have always kept it real, simple, and laid back every time they perform. This was something that the audiences admired for it allowed them to focus on nothing but sheer good music that they can easily relate to.Speaking in a 1999 Mornings@GMA interview with Oscar Oida was the young Chito who shared his inspiration in writing the words to PNE’s songs.
“Yung pinanggagalingan or yung fuel siguro ng kung bakit umaandar yung ulo ko sa pagsulat ng mga kanta yung ano, mga nae-experience sa mga normal na pag daloy ng buhay. Basta yung mga experiences ng isang normal na tao na estudyante na may barkada, na may gustong mga babae. So basically [sinusulat ko] mga experiences sa buhay.“
While there were those inevitable misunderstandings within the group, Buhawi was quick to explain that what separates them as a band is that they treat problems as light as they could. Darius further said that theirs is a bond that goes beyond friendship—they treat each other as family.
With nine studio and two live albums released so far, Parokya ni Edgar has proven that a band can reach great heights whilst having fun. Throughout their career, Parokya ni Edgar has gained numerous awards from a variety of respected award-giving bodies. Among their most recent recognitions were four titles in the 24th Awit Awards. The band won Best Performance by a Group, Best Ballad Recording, Best Collaboration (with Happee Sy) for the song Pangarap Lang Kita from the album Middle-Aged Juvenile Novelty Pop-Rocker, and Song of the Year for the track Pakiusap Lang (Lasingin Niyo Ako) in a recently concluded awards ceremony.
Usually, after being successful, bands tend to go their separate ways to pursue solo careers. In a recent interview with Boy Abunda on the Ikaw Na! segment of Bandila last Dec. 13, Chito said that the thought of going solo never crossed his mind. He explained that he would “rather have this [success] with the band and enjoy it” as a group of friends than to go his own way. “Kumbaga, I enjoy it na with my friends eh, so it’s something na hindi ko talaga kayang bitawan totally,” he said firmly.
Already in his mid 30s, Chito revealed that he is still not used to people giving him more credit than his band mates. He said that the good thing about their group is that no one plays the jealous type whenever one of them is asked to step into the limelight.
“They make fun of it actually. Sinasabi nila na ‘ikaw nalang bahala diyan.’ Kunwari may interviews [they will say] ‘ikaw na bahala.’ They let me…nae-enjoy nila yung fact na ako yung gagawa nalang lahat eh, so it means less work for them.”
Nobody really knows how long Parokya ni Edgar will take their final bow. No matter what the future holds, if this band could be certain of one thing, it would be to remain true to the lyrics their song, Yes Yes Show, that goes: “Walang iwanan sa Parokya ni Edgar band.”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE Dec 16-22, 2011 RedCarpet pg.2)
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