My Manila Sound playlist from 'Yugyugan Nation' | ABS-CBN

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My Manila Sound playlist from 'Yugyugan Nation'

My Manila Sound playlist from 'Yugyugan Nation'

John Paul 'JP' Tanchanco - Tha Good Life

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Here's a nostalgic sound trip to the classic good vibes from the one- night only Yugyugan Nation show at Resorts World Manila.

Yugyugan Nation featured top-billing artists from Boyfriends, Hagibis, Wadab, Labuyo, Abrakadabra, VST and Company and Sampaguita. The show was dedicated to Cinderella's Snaffu Rigor.

According to show director Freddie Santos, "The 70s was the era when OPM [Original Pilipino Music] really began. Creativity flowed with original compositions after compositions ... We should be grateful that God has blessed the country with so much great music and talented artists," he said.

The 'groovylicious' show culminated with Direk Freddie introducing the top-billing Manila Sound artists and OPM composers. He also explained that the concept of show was put together when everyone started jamming together during the wake of the uber talented Snaffu Rigor who recently passed away.

Rigor was a multi-awarded artist, composer and musician. He was responsible for the Cinderalla-hit songs "TL Ako Sayo" and "Bato sa Buhangin".

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He also wrote my fave Rico J. Puno classic "Macho Gwapito" and was a member of the bands Ramrods, Cinderella, Backdoor. He was also part of the band Blackbuster, who was responsible for the El Bimbo Salsa music in the 70s and which the E-heads wrote about.

Direk Freddie emphasized that the name of the show best expressed who we are as a Yugyugan Nation of people who enjoy life and music.

Being a solid Manila sound fan and music artist myself, I couldn't help but feel star struck with the mix of Pinoy music legends on the show.

So, I thought of putting together my playlist of favorite hits. Feel free to share and enjoy the ear candy!

"Tayo'y Magsayawan" by VST and Company

The music video for Tayo'y Magsayawan is from the film "Swing It Baby" starring Vilma Santos.

VST & Co. was composed of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Val Sotto, Celso Llarina, Monet Gaskell, Male Rigor, Roger Rigor, the late Jun Medina, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, Chito Ilagan, Ben Escasa, Fred Concepcion, Boy Alcaide (drums) and Clod Baria.

The name, "V.S.T", are the initials of its three lead vocalists, "Vic, Spanky and Tito."

"Tuloy Pa Rin" by Labuyo

This song was made popular by the band Side A in 1993. But the song was actually composed by the band Labuyo and released more than a decade earlier.

I think Side A's cover of Labuyo’s “Tuloy Pa Rin Ako” contributed to their success. In fact, I got introduced to the song thru Side A and it was one of the first successful songs that I arranged and performed when I was 13 years old.

Joey Generoso of Side A explains in his October 31st interview: "Fellow musicians would watch Side A gigs and jam with the band. One night, Mon Espia, one of the composers of 'Tuloy Pa Rin,' jammed with us at Hyatt Hotel. Since then, we have included it in our repertoire but we play it in a fast beat."

"Bote Diyaryo" by Abrakadabra

Abrakadabra Band was Fronted by Rock expo battle of the bands winner Alex Malilin.

My band Kala used to cover their song "Batugan," which is a rock social commentary that expresses incompetence and laziness in an era of corruption, fraud, mendicancy and wrong entitlement. The song is a clarion call to wake up to reality and to do something about one's life.

This song in the playlist "Bote Diary" was one of their popular songs that reminds us Pinoys about being grateful for good honest work. Its classic, rock-sounding vibe complements its message to recognize the worth of those who truly worked to make our lives better.

Our economy has gone a long way since being coined the "Sick Man of Asia," and it's because we have good people in our world. If we continue to give proper respect to honest livelihood, we will always express true goodness and have more resources, especially for families who truly work and respect others' worth in all levels of community.

With everything that's happening in the world, it's actually a good Christmas wish that we all contribute to progress and truly respect others so we to truly remove poverty, corruption and unemployment in the country. In the words of AbraKadabra: "Ang perang hawak ko dahil sa pawis ko... nabuhay sa bote't diyaryo."

Other members of the band were Jun Mallillin, Alex Mallillin, Jun Gases, Bobby de La Madrid, Kriss Kamua, Joselito "Boy" Espinosa.

"Katawan" by Hagibis

In 1981, Hagibis was featured in the action movie Legs, Katawan, Babae.

Hagibis is best known for its members' macho image and their equally macho songs that appreciated the beauty of the female species. Their popular song "Katawan", was used as a theme song for the hit TV series Palibhasa Lalake.

This song was one of the favorite songs that my band used to play. Our modern funk rock rendition of the song often made the crowd go wild during our concerts circa 2005-2009. Hagibis also earned the title of "Village People of the Philippines."

Boy Friends - "Sumayaw Sumunod"

Boyfriends was known for their pop and disco harmonies reminiscent of the Bee Gees. "Sumayaw Sumunod" is one of their most popular hits that is actually a standard party favorite being performed by show bands.

The band was composed of Gary Ariola, Bob Guzman, Artie Ilacad, Lloyd Sale and Joey Aband.

"Nosi Balasi" by Sampaguita

Sampaguita's "Nosi Balasi" is, for me, one of the greatest Pinoy rock anthems composed. Watching her recent performance attests that to this day, she still commands a strong physical and vocal presence on stage.

Nosi Balasi is a rock song that's true to the essence of rock and roll. The soul of rock can be expressed in the words of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven", to be a rock and not to roll.

The lyrics of the song, "Wag mong pansinin ang naninira sa 'yo Basta't alam mo lang, tama ang ginagawa mo" always reminds me of the soul of the Filipino spirit and the truly good people who really worked and strived to serve our motherland and be the rock and foundation of the goodness we are experiencing today.

The song expresses a clarion call for those who truly stood for what was truly right amid hypocrisy, slavery, corruption and religious fraud.

"Pag Tumatagal Tumitibay" by Wadab

Wadab is a band from Davao. So, their name was derived as a play on the word Dabaw. Their popular song "Pag Tumatagal Tumitibay" is one of my personal favorites. The song has soul, and it truly expresses what growing in good love is all about.

Wadab consists of Nonoy Tan, (who is actually the dad of a friend named Champ of Hale), Rey Magtoto, Mon Torralba, Benjie Casilan , Tato Malay & Nonoy Uy. It was released in 1979.

"Macho Gwapito" by Rico J. Puno composed by Snaffu Rigor

Another favorite song of mine is the Rico J. Puno classic "Macho Gwapito." I definitely don't find it cheesy *wink* and still think it's an excellent entrance song for us guys.

By the way, the song was composed by the late musical genius Snaffu Rigor who WAS also responsible for getting the performers of Yugyugan Nation together.

"Legs" by Hagibis

This is another hit by Hagibis. Hagibis was composed of Sonny Parsons, Mike Respall, Pete Gatela, Carlos Nabiula, Bernie Fineza, Joji Garcia, Mon Picazzo.

When I listen to this song, it gives me a kick!

In this modern age, porn has been democratized and dressing up with sexy revealing clothes is now normal. So, I don't really see so many guys really truly appreciate legs like they used to back in the old days. Call me old school but I still get turned on by women who have beautiful legs. With all due respect to the feminists out there, I'm just being real by truly loving this song.... And legs of the female species *wink*!

"Dance with Me" by Boyfriends

My dad was one of the pioneers of the 70s disco scene in the Philippines. He operated Circuit at the Hyatt and founded "On Disco" and "Power Station." So, we always discuss about how kids nowadays don't dance in clubs like they used to.

During my father's disco era , dancing was hot and it was a gig couples would look forward to. Not that you had to be a couple in a relationship , but men and women would be excited to dance with people they like and find someone interesting in the disco.

In fact, in the earlier days of disco, before the new wave punk scene came in, my dad said that one of the most popular time in the disco was when they would play a slow tune for couples to slow drag with each other. Then, next time you know it, you'd see them kissing and fondling each other all over the place.

It's always nice to go back to songs like these and remember the roots of disco dancing. So, this is another taglish Manila Sound hit by the Boyfriends that's still a staple in parties.

"Wag ka nang mahihiya. Basta't umindak at magsaya
At kalimutan mong lahat ng problema. Dance with me, dance with me Sa tugging ito. Dance with me, dance with me Sa tugtuging ito".

"Yugyugan Na" by The Advisors

"Yugyugan Na" was the theme song of the concert, hence the name "Yugyugan Nation". The song that was composed, performed and recorded by the Advisors in 1978. The Advisors was a Pinoy funk band from Olongapo with front man Ting Bernabe who recently passed away. The funky tune became the hit single of one of my fave OPM band P.O.T. that was fronted by Karl Roy.

I started performing this song when I was in high school and still love jamming to the riff with my band.

The song was performed by the group of all the various artists featured at the Yugyugan Nation concert. In fact, everyone came out with a reprise of the performance during the show's culmination.

The Advisors was composed of Sammy Magaway, Henry Esporlas, Manny Tupaz, Joey Nachor Ernie Amisola and Sonny Cruz.

"Awitin Mo at Sasayaw Ko" by VST and Company

This VST and Company classic tune is still very popular. I think this is one of OPM's immortal and eternally spiritual songs. This is a track that will never grow old and die. After almost 4 decades, it is still a favorite disco swing tune that people naturally dance to in parties, weddings, family gatherings.

We still here it in the radio, TV and advertisements. In fact, ABS-CBN Orchestra and Ballet Philippines has an ongoing show entitled "Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko" featuring this song itself.

This monster hit song made VST and company widely known to the public in 1978.

"Laguna" by Sampaguita

The last track in this playlist is a beautiful song performed by a beautiful person. Sampaguita's real name is Tessy Alfonso. She was actually my dad's fashion model mate in the '70s. Many of Sampaguita's songs such as this masterpiece were written by the awesome rock guitarist Gary Perez and she was backed up by his band Anak Bayan.

When Sampaguita performed this song live, she emphasized being in unity with the good positive vibes of this folk rock-ish anthem. She really sang it with heart. And it made me think that the lyrics of this track goes beyond the province we know as Laguna whose name was derived from a large natural body of fresh water.

In this modern era of progress , this definitely serves as an ode to the living waters of nature that is in the heart and soul of our mother land, a fruitful paradise for our families and our planet.

"Ibang paningin ang mapapansin. Na gigising sa 'yong damdamen. Malalagim ka sa 'yong nakikita. Pagkat walang kasing ganda. Laguna, Nang ito ay marating ko

"Laguna, Para bang ako ay nagbago. Laguna, Kakaibang damdamin (ahh). Laguna ay sang larawan. Ng tunay na kaligayahan. Ito'y ina ng kalikasan. Na nasa puso ninuman. Kahit nasaan ay nasa isipan At nararamdaman. Sa paglalakbay ay laging kasama ko Ang magandang karanasan."

There you have it! Isn't old school the new school? Without these classic hits, we wouldn't enjoy music and life as much. Perfect tunes to accompany you during the upcoming holidays. Party on!

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John Paul C. Tanchanco is a travel, food, party, film and music aficionado. He is also an economist, businessman, MYX/Awit award-winning media producer and Kala guitarist.

"ThaGoodLife" is a special lifestyle blog for news.abs-cbn.com about pop culture, travel, music, entertainment, business life, food, luxury, clubbing, shopping and events.

For questions features and comments . email him at jptanchanco@yahoo.com and tanchancotrimediaproductions@yahoo.com.

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