Bamboo sprung back to the sound garden and cast death to unnecessary novelty and noise clutter in the scene. Sorry, Mr. Camo, your nonsensical, trashy (an understatement) or simply shitty "Ocho-ocho" or "Pito-pito" masterpieces have to be shelved for another era of no-talentism a.k.a. Bayani Agbayani coming up with an album. (What a waste of blank CDR!) Why, you ask, Mr. Camo? It's because you have already sucked millions from your trash, collected fees from candidates' political jingles and left radio without any choice but to play your products that made listeners want to vomit.

Novelty hitmakers now find it a challenge to penetrate the airwaves and come up with a not-so-"Spageti"-sounding hit. Their proposed solution – put more emphasis on the tangible 'goods' of performers – Barako Boys stripping to sell a cheesy album they themselves have no idea how it was produced, Hot Babes and Masculados runners-up in the stripping field. How pathetic can these people get! They could have just succumbed to the thought that Pinoy Rock clearly is and will stay alive for good (or at least until Pinoy talent has become extinct, in this case, I'd bet my life that won't happen).

Eraserheads, Rivermaya, Side A, Parokya ni Edgar, The Dawn, POT, Southborder, Pu3ska and Alamid are just some extremely popular bands that come to mind when I recall the 90s or listening to Magic's 'Nicest of the Nineties' on Satudays. These bands have been turned to discreet mode since the advent and reign of novelty songs. Today, countless bands are exploding with talent and each has a unique flavor to offer – Sugarfree, Hale, Session Road, Kamikazee, Dicta License, Mojofly, Urbandub, Brownman Revival, Slapshock, Cheese, (the now defunct) Barbie's Cradle, Sponge Cola, Kjwan, Pupil, Fatal Posporos, Sandwich, Moonstar88, Stonefree, Imago, Cambio, Kapatid, Razorback, Cueshe, Mayonnaise, Orange and Lemons, Twisted Halo, Kiko Machine and Radioactive Sago Project to name a few (excuse my limited knowledge) – all shuffling gigs and jumping from one poster to another, not to mention creating jingles for commercial products and bombarding radiowaves with these. It was like enumerating the band performers on a Feb 14 UP Fair concert for just 50 bucks.

"Back in 1993… I knew what I would be… As the music plays the band, the band keeps playing the music." – Francisco "Bamboo" Mańalac could not have said it any better. He really knew what he wanted to be – a prophet like Muhammad or Mohammed if you wish. Such strong claim on his "personal mission" is magnified in Light Peace Love. Muhammad, I mean Bamboo has delivered the dying music industry from eternal damnation or what I'd like to call extinction of real Filipino talent, and with that I mean the unthinkable (eg: Piolo or Rainier) – non-singers enjoying series of concerts and albums.

The endangered quality of music is now much more saleable in less than 300 bucks. – that's a lot for milking music companies, producers, etc. And that is also why "indie" musicians paved way for other talented aspirants without labels. And thus, the flourishing of braver and braver rockers to release an album. And that, perhaps could be the same reason that a "Mossimo" brand disguised in graffiti or some samples of cologne comes with the artist's package.

Going back to Bamboo – it bends but it never breaks, as stated in a televised interview. True enough, after years of bending, the prophet came back with a vengeance and together with equally talented, dead-serious musicians – Nathan Azarcon, Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado made talent – Noypi style once again obvious. With lyrics that speak of our time, carefully chosen words that depict common daily struggles in life and love, the band has clearly come a long, long way no other band could have in two years. Their music has ridden the mainstream waves, with even three-year-olds who used to consciously sing to "Bulaklak" unconsciously sing "Hallelu… Hallelujah!" and shouting "Sinong sawa? Sinong galit?" even though lyrics get jumbled up.

Pinoy rock now has that very same power that novelty once had – catchy beat and words Pinoys can relate to. Real music geniuses penetrate the mainstream without even trying to or intending to. I believe that music becoming mainstream is not conscious effort on the part of Bamboo, the band and hell no it's not because HE IS BAMBOO but because Filipinos per se are just a little wiser to prefer quality above anything else and get their money's worth. After all, we're just too sick of nonsensical novelty that contributes to nothing but proliferation of no-talentism. In my opinion, Bamboo was reborn and so did Pinoy rock…and it all started with shouting, proclaiming that "Hoy! Pinoy Ako!" Now, how's becoming loud and proud of the Noypi in you sound? The first step - it's all about accepting, living and loving one's being a Filipino. Yeah! Love it! Love being a Filipino!

Filipinos are helplessly oozing with talent. That is why can't seem to fathom how the music industry paved way for such no-talentism. Long live Pinoy rock! And yes, Bamboo, you have everybody's permission to continue making sensible music and boost Pinoy talent your personal mission. Save OPM from the fire!…from the fire!



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