(Written by Mimi Miaco at spot.ph)
Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat-Cooky Chua, vocalist of Tres Marias, Color It Red, and member of The League of Authors of Public Interest Songs, believes in this statement by author Edmund Burke. "Dapat masusi ang pag-aaral sa Batas Militar at gumawa tayo ng paraan para hindi na ito maulit pa," she said.
On January 30, Filipino composers and musicians will come together for a concert entitled #NeverForget, an effort by The League of Authors of Public Interest Songs (LAPIS) to remember the real deal back when the Philippines was under Martial Law and the leadership of former president Ferdinand Marcos. The event starts at 5 p.m., at Bantayog ng mga Bayani Center. Ticket price is P50.
“Marami akong kakilalang dumaan sa mga katakut-takot na karanasan noong panahong iyon. At marami din akong kaibigan na nilabanan ito sa iba’t ibang paraan na kaya nila. Mahalagang maipaalam ito sa kabataan alang-alang sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” said Chua. She will perform with fellow LAPIS members Gary Granada, Bayang Barrios, Chickoy Pura, Plagpul, and Lolita Carbon.
According to LAPIS Executive Director, composer, and musician Karl Ramirez, #NeverForget is scheduled on January 30 because it’s a historic day—it’s part of the First Quarter Storm of the '70s, a day the youth should be aware of. “Dapat maintindihan nila bakit may pag-aaklas sa kabila ng matinding panunupil ng iilang maykapangyarihan noong panahong iyon,” Ramirez said.
LAPIS is an organization of composers and musicians that seeks to raise the Filipinos’ public interest. In 2015, they launched a series of performances for the benefit of the Lumad victims. They are set to release their first public interest music album in March. #NeverForget is a joint project with Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation.
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(From Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation's announcement)
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, in partnership with the League of Authors of Public Interest Songs, or LAPIS, is holding an evening concert on January 30 at the Bantayog grounds titled NEVER FORGET. Browse the Facebook event page here for more details.
This is part of Bantayog's advocacy of raising awareness and educating the youth through music about the Martial Law period. January 30 falls within the 1970 First Quarter Storm period, which is regarded as a watershed in the protest movement against Marcos' increasingly repressive government. From the First Quarter Storm were baptized many who would later be leaders of the movement against the Marcos dictatorship, a good number giving their very lives for it.
The concert will feature well-known composer Gary Granada, Chickoy Pura of The Jerks, and the Tres Marias, composed of the three musical icons Lolita Carbon of Asin, Bayang Barrios and Cookie Chua.
A new generation of public interest composers from LAPIS will also showcase songs that continue the tradition of writing and performing music about situations and aspirations of the Filipino people. Karl Ramirez, Plagpul, Xandra Bisenio, and Kit Manlangit, all LAPIS composer-musicians will be opening the concert.
Save the date and enjoy the evening with your family! Tickets at Php50 and available at Bantayog.
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