Speak out for others

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March Fianza

Every now and then, I find my mind looking for something to write about. There are a lot of topics that can be discussed but these do not always come with the mood or “feel” which to me is a very important element when it comes to expressing views that are personal.

Parts of this week’s space give way to some friends “speaking out” in behalf of others. In their letters that I received through e-mail, I sensed that there are certain “vibrations” that people have to know in relation to holding concerts of this kind.

Vallejo, CA. benefit concert This letter is from Dorothy Pucay. Here goes:

For those who missed the benefit concert “With a Little Help From My Friends” on August08, it was about music and people getting together outside on a pleasant evening in a space under the shade of redwoods.

To begin the evening’s music-making, Joel Aliping took the stage to welcome everyone and to thank Fr. Bayani Rico, Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Vallejo , for offering the use of the beautiful redwood cove of the church for the concert. Fr. Rico then brought Myra Aglit onstage and said prayers for a wonderful evening of music and for the continuing healing of Myra , for whom the concert is played.

Myra is the wife of former folk and country singer Estoy Aglit, and also a good friend of Richard Arandia, Conrad Marzan, Janus, and Felix Tayaotao of the “Uncle Experience” musical group. Myra is undergoing cancer treatments.

The band, which included a new member on the drums, Nick, played a variety of songs -- from originals written and sang by Felix, to good old time rock and folk favorites, like King of Hearts, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, Achy Breaky Heart, sang by Neal… Other singers included Estoy, Myra ’s husband.

Friends from as far as San Diego came to the concert. Miguel Meru sang a few songs on his own, as well as sang duets with Yasmine. Other guests from Southern California were Harry Basing-at and Linda Laoyan, Jorge Pawid, Marlon Maslian, and Gerry Malona.

The beautiful orchids and the Igorot woven pieces of cloth that adorned the stage and the backdrop were ideas of Joel Aliping, who was also responsible for the water and drinks for the refreshments, which consisted of pancit and barbecued meat prepared by Estoy and Myra ’s family.

After the concert, Joel and Emily Aliping very generously opened their home in El Sobrante to the band and other guests. Jorge Pawid writes, “There were lots to drink and plenty to eat at their residence.”

A dvd of this concert is being put together by Lee Torrijos, who hopes to get it done within a week of the concert.

A next benefit concert is being planned for Oct. 3, 2009 at Fresno, California to help out Arlene Sagayo Malafu and her young family. Arlene, a BIBAK member, was also diagnosed with cancer. (Thanks, Jorge Pawid, for your info.)

Following is Jorge Pawid’s letter. It goes:

Guys, proceeds for the benefit of the wife of former baguio folk singer Estoy Aglit, one of the performers. Myra is undergoing cancer treatments. It (the concert) went so well. Although, you might notice han unay audience, dakkel sa (amu ni conrad how much) ti na-raise.

Meggs (from san diego ) picked us up (syak dtoy buena park ) along with Harry Basingat and Linda Laoyan (both from LA) to drive up north. Marlon Maslian and Gerry Malona (both from LA too) came Saturday morning to join us have fun and welwel.

As usual, Joel and Emily (Aliping) hosted us at their El Sobrante home that Saturday evening after the concert. There were lots to drinks and plenty to eat at their residence – meaning tuloy ti bartek ken pulutan nayun nan ti kulitan ken dagijay conrad jokes around a bonefire. Inmay pay pulis ti 2:30AM ta ibaga na nga "itone down" mi kanu or continue inside the haus.

Earlier (Friday eve), we dropped off Linda at Richard (Arandia) and Jopet's place at Santa Clara , San Jose. Nag-milinda kame idjay while the band was having their final rehearsal before driving another hour to get to El sobrante. The morning after, bungar ken pinikpikan ken tinuno tilapia kaskada kangkong-tomato salad (courtesy of david and bettylyn hizon), brocolli ken pancit with Mojito and red wine.

Kayat mi pay kuma maki-estorya but we had to leave ta dagasen mi Linda idjay ayan Conrad. When we arrived there, "doctor" conrad and his Pilar insisted that we spend the night there. Napilitan nak ketdi nga uminom ti Hennessy nga inpasangu na. Richard and Jopet, and Glo Abastilla joined us there. Ti cook mi ket ni Meggs.

On the way back home the following morning, we had hearty lunch at Harris ranch at Coalinga along Interstate 5. They have the best steak here. Fresh from the cow kanayun. Of course, sagot manen ni Meggs.

Next concert will be Oct. 3, 09 at Fresno, California . Beneficiary ket another cancer (stage 4 colon) patient from the Cordillera. Dorothy (Pucay) is busy coordinating this event.

Brian ken March, ur-urayen dakayo kano nga ag-perform tu idjay Fresno. Hehehe. Attidug san datoy report ko. – Jorge

(Jorge is Jorge Pawid, son of Hilarion Pawid. Both newsmen, they are now living in the U.S., the latter in California and the former in New Jersey – ed)
***
Several concerts have gone and we already stopped counting the number of benefit shows that were organized for anyone who came to ask for it. There were several times when musicians sung for their kind. Foggy Mountain band vocalist Mike Santos was a beneficiary of one of the concerts for a cause in the past. Other concerts that followed were organized for drummer Willy Calderon and many more. The same were also organized for relatives and members of musicians’ families.

Although amid the solemn concert and merry-making, I suspected that there were things connected to the main cause of the event that disturbed the minds of our friends who were there, especially so because their activity was for the benefit of one of their own.

Musicians and friends do not actually discuss this in their circles, although I know that they ask themselves the question: who will organize benefit concerts for them in case they too need it?

Certainly, musicians will continue to share their music for the benefit of anyone as long as this is given enough time to be organized. The snag is on how one can muster the courage to relate to the other about his problem. Someone has to speak out and make things easy for others.

Myra ’s concert dubbed “A little help from my friends” was appropriately named. – marchfianza@yahoo.com