Asin (band)
Encyclopedia
Asin is a Pinoy folk and folk rock
band from the Philippines
. They started as a trio in the late 1970s, and was originally known as the Salt of the Earth]. They later changed their name to "ASIN", which means salt
in Filipino language
.
There are only 4 members of ASIN, others are all session musicians.
On the year 1978, the trio (who were all songwriters, composers and arrangers) signed their first recording contract and localized the name "Salt of the Earth" into "Asin ng Lupa." They ultimately became known simply as ASIN. Simultaneously, the members had adopted local names for themselves and they were later known to their fans as Nonoy, Saro and Nene.
On the same year, their album entitled "Masdan mo ang Kapaligiran" (Look at Your Environment) was released, giving birth to an alternative form of music which was different and distinct from what was mainstream. Their songs conveyed a message that had instilled awareness into the vast majority of Filipinos and became a rallying call for emancipation.
In the last quarter of 1979, they launched another album called "Himig ng Pag-ibig" (Hymn of Love). The group's break-up abruptly followed. However, their absence from the music scene did not hamper their growing popularity. During the time that they were not around as a group, their songs had grown roots in the hearts of the entire population and became a household tune to every Filipino home.
The group was not heard of until 1983. On the summer of the same year, AIESEC, (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales), a students’ business organization based in the island of Cebu, made a project to reunite the group. Nonoy was summoned and was tasked to reunite his band. This resulted in a jam-packed reunion concert of the group at Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City. From that time on ASIN, with their manager Dindo, rolled into a series of performances in Mindanao, sporadic shows in the Visayan Region, and marathon concerts in Luzon.
The culmination of all these events led to the creation and the launch of their third album "Himig ng Lahi" (Hymn of the Race) on the same year. Through Nonoy, Fred Aban Jr., the session bass player known by the name Pendong, was anointed by the trio and became the fourth member of the group, despite him not being a songwriter, but only a musician. Inasmuch as everybody in the group was a ‘junior’ ( each one was carrying his father’s first name), Nene also proclaimed herself a 'junior'.
In the beginning of 1984, the group released an experimental album called "Ang mga Awitin ng Bayan kong Pilipinas", an adaptation of traditional and contemporary songs from various regions of the Philippine archipelago.
On November 1985, they came out with another original compilation that Nonoy called; "ASIN...Sa Atubiling Panahon" (Asin...In A Doubtful Time). This was unfolded by the roll of events that happened at the beginning of the year after, among which was the EDSA Revolution that toppled the ruling Marcos regime. ASIN called it "atubiling panahon" (doubtful time) and the group split for a second time.
In 1988, they decided to regroup again hoping to come up with new material to make another album that would speak of the time. Instead they were lured by their new manager into making an adaptation of old and irrelevant songs and came out with a double album called "Himig Kayumanggi" and "Sinta." Their reasons for going in this direction was shroud under a hidden agenda.
Instead of going deeper into the essence of what was happening, they went into intrigues that led to the expulsion of Nonoy. Nonoy was disgruntled but instead of bending his knees chose another path. He went to Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Greece, Israel and Egypt to "look for his soul". Back home, the dream of making a new album was not fulfilled. Soon after, Saro and Nene, together with the name (ASIN), found themselves used and exploited as they have become only one of the talents gathered together called "the hidden agenda", otherwise known as the "Lokal Brown."
In 1990, the remaining members of Asin (who were under the leadership of a clique headed by their new manager) disbanded. Saro went back to his home province South Cotabato, Nene came out with "Nene Band," and Pendong with "Grupong Pendong".
In 1992, a concert promoter gathered the three original members, Nonoy, Saro and Nene for a reunion concert. As for Pendong, according to the promoter, he was not included because his wife was difficult to deal with. The concert was staged at the Folk Arts Theater of the Philippines. However, It was nothing more than a one night gig and each member went back again to his and her own right after the concert.
In 1993, the other members were shaken with the news that Saro was mauled and shot on the forehead in a video/karaoke bar in his hometown. He was murdered in cold blood by a mob headed by a lawyer alleged to be the legal counsel of the Governor of South Cotabato. The culprit was put to trial and was convicted for murder and was meted out with the verdict of life imprisonment but after 14 years of serving his sentence, he was released for "justifiable" reasons.
On the year 2000, Craig Burrows, a native of England came up with the idea to bring together the remaining members of the group and make an album/EP. He first spoke with Nonoy who eagerly agreed and later brought Nene and Pendong to the island where he lived. The three had a brief meeting wherein Nonoy came up with the concept for the album which the two excitedly accepted. After several days though, Nonoy realized that time had changed them, and that he couldn't feel the connection they all used to share. Reconsidering the consequences of his past mistakes, Nonoy made a decision not to get involved with this project. They parted ways feeling unsatisfied with the outcome of the planned reunion, but Nonoy gave the other two his blessing and told them that they could still follow through with the album concept that he came up with and bring with them the name - ASIN .
Nonoy's concept was never realized, but in 2002, with the support of Burrows, Nene and Pendong made the album "Pag-ibig, Pagbabago, Pagpapatuloy" under the band name ASIN. Later, Pendong shared his stories with the media, of how Nonoy had finally decided to put down his guitar down and settle into a peaceful life; and of the band's beginnings, of how together with Nonoy and Saro, he met Nene at a folk rock club called Kola House and then decided to form their own musical group, naming it "Salt of the Earth". This according to him was the beginning of the group ASIN.
Peacefully, Nonoy continued to perform with a new partner Ginji, known together as “noyginji interaktiv.” They distributed CDs with new compositions, the likes of“...Ang Karugtong” which means;
“...The Continuation”
In mid-2006, Nene and Pendong disbanded. Pendong immigrated to America with his whole family where he continued playing as “Grupong Pendong.” During the last quarter of the same year, Nonoy and his family moved to Israel and continued to perform as “noyginji interaktiv”. On the other hand, Nene stayed in the Philippines and stayed a soloist.
In July 14, 2010, Nonoy and Nene reunited as ASIN to pay tribute to their fallen colleague Saro Bañares Jr. in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Their performance marked the opening of the 44th T’nalak Festival, a yearly celebration showcasing dances and crafts of the tribal communities as well as the produce of the place mentioned. The day after, they were invited by the "People’s Champ" Manny Pacquiao
to play in his home province Saranggani to a multitude of thousands, and on the third day they played casually to invited guests of the mayor of Lake Sebu in Surallah, South Cotabato.
Asin was also important in the local politics and although they did not set out to be a political band, they reflected the political message needed for the times. This should be seen against the backdrop of martial law during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos
. Occasionally their recordings were confiscated as subversive, yet, on the other hand they were invited to play at the Presidential Palace.
lyrics of The Black Eyed Peas
' "The Apl Song" is based on "Balita" (Tagalog for News), one of Asin's songs. "The Apl Song" tells about the hardships of Allan Pineda
, member of the Black Eyed Peas, that he experienced during his childhood in Angeles City, Pampanga. He chose "Balita" because he grew up listening to Asin. His next song under the album Monkey Business entitled "Bebot" sampled the guitar riff of "Cotabato", another song from Asin. Balita is also sampled on Gloc 9's 2009 album Matrikula
, which also features Gabby Alipe of Urbandub
.
2004- DENR/WORLD BANK Publication- Environmental Monitor 2004, given June 20, 2005
Folk rock
Folk rock is a musical genre combining elements of folk music and rock music. In its earliest and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and the UK around the mid-1960s...
band from the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. They started as a trio in the late 1970s, and was originally known as the Salt of the Earth]. They later changed their name to "ASIN", which means salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
in Filipino language
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
.
Members
- Lolita "Nene" Carbon
- Mike "Nonoy" Pillora
- Cesar "Saro" Bañares (deceased)
- Pendong Aban, Jr.
There are only 4 members of ASIN, others are all session musicians.
History
ASIN was formed in 1977; the nucleus of which was the duo- Mike Pillora Jr. and Cesar Bañares Jr., who were plying the folk joints and pub houses in Manila as “Mike and Cesar”. A year later, Lolita Carbon was recruited by the duo to fill in the missing middle voice and eventually became the third member. Mike named their trio “Salt of the Earth”; after the song popularized by Joan Baez, and composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard. More than just a song title, Mike based the name of their group on the essence of the phrase which the Holy Book had intended it to be — the lowly, the needy, the wavering millions who are humble in birth, and the hard working people — the real salt of the Earth.On the year 1978, the trio (who were all songwriters, composers and arrangers) signed their first recording contract and localized the name "Salt of the Earth" into "Asin ng Lupa." They ultimately became known simply as ASIN. Simultaneously, the members had adopted local names for themselves and they were later known to their fans as Nonoy, Saro and Nene.
On the same year, their album entitled "Masdan mo ang Kapaligiran" (Look at Your Environment) was released, giving birth to an alternative form of music which was different and distinct from what was mainstream. Their songs conveyed a message that had instilled awareness into the vast majority of Filipinos and became a rallying call for emancipation.
In the last quarter of 1979, they launched another album called "Himig ng Pag-ibig" (Hymn of Love). The group's break-up abruptly followed. However, their absence from the music scene did not hamper their growing popularity. During the time that they were not around as a group, their songs had grown roots in the hearts of the entire population and became a household tune to every Filipino home.
The group was not heard of until 1983. On the summer of the same year, AIESEC, (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales), a students’ business organization based in the island of Cebu, made a project to reunite the group. Nonoy was summoned and was tasked to reunite his band. This resulted in a jam-packed reunion concert of the group at Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City. From that time on ASIN, with their manager Dindo, rolled into a series of performances in Mindanao, sporadic shows in the Visayan Region, and marathon concerts in Luzon.
The culmination of all these events led to the creation and the launch of their third album "Himig ng Lahi" (Hymn of the Race) on the same year. Through Nonoy, Fred Aban Jr., the session bass player known by the name Pendong, was anointed by the trio and became the fourth member of the group, despite him not being a songwriter, but only a musician. Inasmuch as everybody in the group was a ‘junior’ ( each one was carrying his father’s first name), Nene also proclaimed herself a 'junior'.
In the beginning of 1984, the group released an experimental album called "Ang mga Awitin ng Bayan kong Pilipinas", an adaptation of traditional and contemporary songs from various regions of the Philippine archipelago.
On November 1985, they came out with another original compilation that Nonoy called; "ASIN...Sa Atubiling Panahon" (Asin...In A Doubtful Time). This was unfolded by the roll of events that happened at the beginning of the year after, among which was the EDSA Revolution that toppled the ruling Marcos regime. ASIN called it "atubiling panahon" (doubtful time) and the group split for a second time.
In 1988, they decided to regroup again hoping to come up with new material to make another album that would speak of the time. Instead they were lured by their new manager into making an adaptation of old and irrelevant songs and came out with a double album called "Himig Kayumanggi" and "Sinta." Their reasons for going in this direction was shroud under a hidden agenda.
Instead of going deeper into the essence of what was happening, they went into intrigues that led to the expulsion of Nonoy. Nonoy was disgruntled but instead of bending his knees chose another path. He went to Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Greece, Israel and Egypt to "look for his soul". Back home, the dream of making a new album was not fulfilled. Soon after, Saro and Nene, together with the name (ASIN), found themselves used and exploited as they have become only one of the talents gathered together called "the hidden agenda", otherwise known as the "Lokal Brown."
In 1990, the remaining members of Asin (who were under the leadership of a clique headed by their new manager) disbanded. Saro went back to his home province South Cotabato, Nene came out with "Nene Band," and Pendong with "Grupong Pendong".
In 1992, a concert promoter gathered the three original members, Nonoy, Saro and Nene for a reunion concert. As for Pendong, according to the promoter, he was not included because his wife was difficult to deal with. The concert was staged at the Folk Arts Theater of the Philippines. However, It was nothing more than a one night gig and each member went back again to his and her own right after the concert.
In 1993, the other members were shaken with the news that Saro was mauled and shot on the forehead in a video/karaoke bar in his hometown. He was murdered in cold blood by a mob headed by a lawyer alleged to be the legal counsel of the Governor of South Cotabato. The culprit was put to trial and was convicted for murder and was meted out with the verdict of life imprisonment but after 14 years of serving his sentence, he was released for "justifiable" reasons.
On the year 2000, Craig Burrows, a native of England came up with the idea to bring together the remaining members of the group and make an album/EP. He first spoke with Nonoy who eagerly agreed and later brought Nene and Pendong to the island where he lived. The three had a brief meeting wherein Nonoy came up with the concept for the album which the two excitedly accepted. After several days though, Nonoy realized that time had changed them, and that he couldn't feel the connection they all used to share. Reconsidering the consequences of his past mistakes, Nonoy made a decision not to get involved with this project. They parted ways feeling unsatisfied with the outcome of the planned reunion, but Nonoy gave the other two his blessing and told them that they could still follow through with the album concept that he came up with and bring with them the name - ASIN .
Nonoy's concept was never realized, but in 2002, with the support of Burrows, Nene and Pendong made the album "Pag-ibig, Pagbabago, Pagpapatuloy" under the band name ASIN. Later, Pendong shared his stories with the media, of how Nonoy had finally decided to put down his guitar down and settle into a peaceful life; and of the band's beginnings, of how together with Nonoy and Saro, he met Nene at a folk rock club called Kola House and then decided to form their own musical group, naming it "Salt of the Earth". This according to him was the beginning of the group ASIN.
Peacefully, Nonoy continued to perform with a new partner Ginji, known together as “noyginji interaktiv.” They distributed CDs with new compositions, the likes of“...Ang Karugtong” which means;
“...The Continuation”
In mid-2006, Nene and Pendong disbanded. Pendong immigrated to America with his whole family where he continued playing as “Grupong Pendong.” During the last quarter of the same year, Nonoy and his family moved to Israel and continued to perform as “noyginji interaktiv”. On the other hand, Nene stayed in the Philippines and stayed a soloist.
In July 14, 2010, Nonoy and Nene reunited as ASIN to pay tribute to their fallen colleague Saro Bañares Jr. in Koronadal, South Cotabato. Their performance marked the opening of the 44th T’nalak Festival, a yearly celebration showcasing dances and crafts of the tribal communities as well as the produce of the place mentioned. The day after, they were invited by the "People’s Champ" Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
to play in his home province Saranggani to a multitude of thousands, and on the third day they played casually to invited guests of the mayor of Lake Sebu in Surallah, South Cotabato.
Importance of Asin
Asin was the first group to incorporate Filipino indigenous instruments into pop/rock music. They also studied Filipino tribal music and did what they could to be true to the origins of the music. Instead of plagiarizing the indigenous music they set about educating people about respecting the origins of the music and representing it with agreement from the tribal sources.Asin was also important in the local politics and although they did not set out to be a political band, they reflected the political message needed for the times. This should be seen against the backdrop of martial law during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
. Occasionally their recordings were confiscated as subversive, yet, on the other hand they were invited to play at the Presidential Palace.
Reference to Asin
The TagalogTagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
lyrics of The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
' "The Apl Song" is based on "Balita" (Tagalog for News), one of Asin's songs. "The Apl Song" tells about the hardships of Allan Pineda
Apl.de.ap
Allan Pineda Lindo, Jr. better known as apl.de.ap , is a Filipino-American rapper, record producer, and occasional drummer who is best known as a member of The Black Eyed Peas.-Early life:Pineda was born in Belfast...
, member of the Black Eyed Peas, that he experienced during his childhood in Angeles City, Pampanga. He chose "Balita" because he grew up listening to Asin. His next song under the album Monkey Business entitled "Bebot" sampled the guitar riff of "Cotabato", another song from Asin. Balita is also sampled on Gloc 9's 2009 album Matrikula
Matrikula
- Upuan:Upuan is the first single of Gloc-9 off the album. The song features Jeazel Grutas of the band Zelle.-Album credits:Executive Producer:Rudy Y. TeeA&R Executive:Vic ValencianoMarketing Directors:Narciso ChanMario Joson...
, which also features Gabby Alipe of Urbandub
Urbandub
Urbandub is a Filipino rock band from Cebu City, Philippines. Since its inception in 2000, the band's line-up has consisted of Gabby Alipe , John Dinopol , and Lalay Lim . The band's current drummer is Janjan Mendoza, who has been with the band since 2003.Urbandub is the first indie band who has...
.
Awards
- Best Folksong of the Year for “Orasyon” – AWIT Awards 1984
- Best Album of the Year for “Himig ng Lahi” – AWIT Awards 1984
- Album of the Year for “Himig ng Lahi – Jingle Magazine Awards 1984
- Best Vocal Arrangement for Group in “Lupa” – Cecil Awards 1986
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Likas Yaman Award for “Masdan and Kapaligiran” 1991
- For Lolita Carbon – Best Rock Recording for “Paraisong Liku-liko”, AWIT Awards 1990
- For Pendong Aban, Jr. – Best World Music Album for “Ang Grupong Pendong – Dito Sa Lupa”
- Album – Katha Music Awards 1995
- Best Folksong for “Pagbabalik” – Aliw Awards 1979
- Nominated as Best Rock Recording for “Usok” in the 1st Cecil Awards
- Best Musical Arrangement for “Dalawang Dekada ng Asin (Overture)”, AWIT Awards 2002
- Environmental Champions
2004- DENR/WORLD BANK Publication- Environmental Monitor 2004, given June 20, 2005