Rocking with beach boys
By Pocholo Concepcion
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:20:00 04/27/2008
MANILA, Philippines - It’s a sweltering night in April and the music sizzles.
On the open grounds of One MGM Hotel in Boracay, Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano, eyes closed and lips touching the mic, sings like he’s in deep pain. Guitarist Alden Acosta shuffles to and fro while striking power chords. Bassist Aaron Ricafente and second guitarist Tatsi Jamnaque keep the rhythm with bouncing energy. But drummer Lemuel Belaro is the most intense, rumbling through beats like a madman running after his own shadow.
The band is in the middle of playing “Susundan,” one of the new tracks from its latest album “Fisheye” (Sony BMG). The audience, composed of the lifestyle and entertainment press, is joined by hotel staff and guests, plus several more from neighboring establishments. After a few numbers, a little girl stands close to the band and sings along. She knows the lyrics by heart.
Juvenile adulation
It’s a clear indication that Callalily’s members have joined the big league of young Pinoy rock stars.
People love Callalily for its songs that reflect innocence and dogged pursuit of teenage passion. Sometimes the adulation goes overboard, as in the case of a show biz denizen’s daughter, herself a wannabe rock singer, who reportedly fell head over heels in love with Cipriano and ran away from home to be with him.
But that’s another story. Today, the band appears free from such intrigues.
The guys gamely pose for snapshots with fans. Their smiles genuinely express gladness. Their body language is suffused with gratitude, even humility—hands joined in a gesture of reverence before taking a bow.
Executives from Sony Ericsson and South East Asian Airlines (Seair)—sponsors of the media outing—look very pleased with the show and the audience approval. “The music scene has shifted dramatically,” said Patrick Larraga, SE marketing manager. “Local bands are at par with foreign artists, and young people express their love of these Pinoy groups very seriously.”
Sony Ericsson wants to be part of the scene by convincing people that its mobile phones are suited to a music-centric lifestyle. It has embarked on a campaign that promotes three new models of its Walkman phones through a series of beach concerts.
The event, “Sony Ericsson Music Tripping,” features Callalily on May 3 at Club Paraw in Boracay. Succeeding gigs are on May 17, 31 and June 7 (all set at Beachcomber, also in Boracay) with Cueshe and Moonstar 88.
The May 3 concert marks the launch of “Eto Na Ang Summer,” the event theme song that Sony Ericsson had asked Callalily to record. Written by band manager Darwin Hernandez, it’s a very catchy tune that echoes a complaint heard especially in Metro Manila throughout the day (“Ang init!”). It talks about exciting things that one can do this school break (swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, etc.)—set to a sprightly beat and locomotive rhythm.
Adventure pass
The kids should be happy to find the song—plus entire albums of Callalily and other Sony BMG local artists—loaded into the three new SE Walkman phones: the W350i, W380i and W890i.
As part of the campaign, those who buy the phones until May 31 can win “Bora Party Packages” in the form of a Seair Adventure Pass to any of its 18 tourist destinations within 45 days; 3 days/2 nights accommodation at One MGM Hotel in Boracay; and P25,000 in cash.
It’s almost midnight, and Callalily’s crew is ready to hit the sack. Yet the band members are thinking of walking on the beach and getting chorizo burgers and fruit shakes.
Somebody has a better suggestion: “Why don’t we all have a massage?”
No hardworking musician can refuse that.
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