The Philippine Online Chronicles

It’s official! Nicanor Perlas of the Partido ng Marangal na Sambayanan (PANGMASA) is once again on the presidential aspirants’ caravan for the upcoming May 2010 elections.  Perlas first broke the news to Blogwatch as soon as Comelec promulgation was handed down last January 14, while the Presidential Policy Forum was being held at the Asian Institute of Management.

Star power and popularity ratings

In an election where star power and popularity ratings reign supreme, the political underdog could use some celebrity endorsements.  In fact—he could use a whole lot more of them if he were a well-qualified candidate with a good platform of governance. Without the usual political machinery available to traditional  politicians, and relying mostly on the Internet, word-of-mouth, presidential forums and a handful of TV engagements, Perlas most certainly could use some star power for his presidency and political advocacies.

Bagong Lumad

A revitalizing force to his reawakened campaign is the formal endorsement of renowned and multi-awarded Filipino folk-rock artists, Joey Ayala and Tapati Torongoy, who were both speaking on behalf of the band Bagong Lumad.  At the heels of this news is Cynthia Alexander’s endorsement of Perlas’ campaign for the presidency. The news was first intimated by Perlas to Blogwatch during an interview last January 18^th and formally announced last January 21^st.

Why Perlas?

When asked why he was supporting Perlas, Ayala said, "Si Nick lamang ang nakakaintindi ng tunay na pakikipagugnay sa kalikasan at tunay na pagbabago (Nick is the only one who understands true partnership with Nature and genuine change).” For more than 30 years, Joey Ayala and his band, Bagong Lumad, have been advocating environmental protection and respect for our indigenous identity through their songs.  Ayala added that he believes that among all the presidential candidates, only Perlas has “an integral framework for advancing profound sustainable development.”

Beyond gimmicks, money and dubious popularity

“This is a significant endorsement”, responded Perlas. “It will make people stop and think: Why is Joey Ayala, one of the most creative and profound singers in the Philippine musical scene today and a role model for many young people, supporting Perlas? The endorsements of Joey Ayala, Tapati Tarongoy, and Cynthia Alexander show that some of the most thoughtful and talented Filipinos in the country see the importance of an urgent need for new politics in the country”, added Perlas. “Their endorsement is a clarion call for careful discernment and reflection, beyond gimmicks, money, dubious popularity, in the May 2010 elections.”

Sure, they may not be as popular as the likes of Regine Velasquez or Micheal V, but Ayala and Alexander are reputed as two of the more profound and creative singers of these times—artists who use their music as a creative expression of their advocacies.

Joey Ayala and Cynthia Alexander

Joey Ayala is a multi-awarded contemporary music artist who has successfully married modern pop music with the sound of Filipino ethnic instruments. Ayala infuses native instruments in his songs. Some Filipino ethnic instruments Ayala use are the two-stringed Hegalong of Mindanao’s T’Boli tribe, the 8-piece gong set, and the kulintang of the Mindanao’s Maguindanaoan tribe. He also uses modern instruments like the electric guitar, drums and bass guitar.  His alternative music is wrought with social, cultural and environmental messages.  Some of songs are Walang Hanggang Paalam, Bathala, Durian,  and Panganay ng Umaga.

Like Perlas, Joey Ayala is himself an environmentalist. He is the recipient of various awards including the prestigious Fr. Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2009. NCCA cited Ayala’s creative artistic approach in appreciation of our ancestral identity and its integration with modern Filipino aspirations and his powerful artistic defense of the environment. The NCCA then appointed Ayala to be the Chairperson of the NCCA Committee on Music.

Ayala was nominated in 1993 as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for his contribution to arts and culture. National appreciation and identity and the environment are the recurring themes he advocates in his music.

Another highly respected musician and younger sister of Ayala, Cynthia Alexander conveyed her unequivocal support for Perlas through a text message. Alexander is a multi-awarded music producer, arranger, songwriter and singer of Filipino alternative music. She is known for her poetic and thought-provoking lyrics, unconventional and melodic guitar-playing. Her albums include Insomnia and Other Lullabyes, Rippingyarns, and Comet’s Tail, all of which have earned recognitions and awards. If you haven’t listened to any of her songs yet, try the spiritual “Comfort in Your Strangeness” and the guitars in “Motorbycle”.

Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad have 11 albums in total, making them one of the most active local artists in their genre.

The way it should be—support based on merit and platform

This is the way things should be—artists, or anyone for that matter should support candidate based on merit and platform. Unlike artists who get hefty fees to boost some unknown but rich candidate’s campaign, Ayala and Alexander found that Perlas’ political platform and advocacies resonate their own. Ayala confirms that Perlas’ position on the environment, as well as his sustainable development approach in the latter’s platform of governance were the major draws in his decision to support Perlas. During the meeting attended by Perlas, his supporters, Ayala, and Tarongoy they discussed their convergent aspirations for the Philippines and its people.  Perlas received a very unique and valuable campaign contribution from Ayala—the free use of Ayala’s more than 100 songs.  Apart from this, Ayala also pledged to assist in composing Perlas’ campaign song.  Expect to see Ayala, Torongoy and Bagong Lumad in some of the campaign sorties of Perlas come February.

Not anymore “Nick who?”

I myself was initially among those who said “Nick who?”. It had to take someone from abroad to let me realize that a Nick Perlas exists. But now I have come to respect the man and his principles, thanks to his website and interviews. If Social Weather Station (SWS)  surveys are to be believed, Perlas has a snowball’s chance in hell to win the 2010 presidential election, but then again, Cory became President during Marcos’ time. Never underestimate what a very pissed-off people can do. Those who are quick to discount Perlas as a real contender in the upcoming elections would do well to heed Margaret Mead who once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever did.”

Nicanor Perlas is running on a governance platform that includes dramatic reduction of poverty, eradicating corruption, environmental protection and stewardship, partnerships for social justice, holistic education and inner change, and mainstreaming visionary initiatives of ordinary citizens.

Photos of Nick Perlas by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.  First photo by David D'Angelo and used with his permission. Some Rights Reserved.