Junior Kilat
![\"enrique](http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v284/135/57/17242613269/n17242613269_582544_2409.jpg "\\"junior")
Another sound expedition begins as Budoy and his brave mates cast their
sails to explore distant shores of music Mecca. Junior Kilat has just
released their newest album,“Enrique De Malacca”, under Galaxy Records. It is packed with 10 songs and 1 bonus track. Get ready for a vivid and exciting travel memoir!
Planning the passage was quite a long one as the band headed for
uncharted waters. Budoy, the brave captain placed his full trust that
the forces of nature will steer them on their proper course. The
collaboration of each member soon fell into place, meshing into the
sound that you hear now. Each one contributed a dose of their
individual style and influences to concoct Junior Kilat’s distinct
reggae rhythm, free-roaming dub, dancehall and a little bit of folk
tunes.
All songs were written and sang by Errol “Budoy” Marabiles; arranged and performed by Junior Kilat. Diana Freese’ pounding drum beats and Tiano Evangelista’s bass grooves set the groundwork for these songs. Bangin Atienza on the turntables, incorporated his vinyl samples and a slight twist of electronica. Arcie Ybañez’ sweet guitar effects added tinge of texture while the undertones of Keyboardist Gina Pestaño-Castro harmonized the songs into one. Junior Kilat’s free flow energy slowly
smelted these tunes into an almost atmospheric collage of beats and
grooves.
Upon listening to the album, the band wishes to take you along on their
journey. Budoy being the lyricist and a great storyteller, gives you a
vivid account of his thoughts and experiences. Daubs of Filipino
culture, heritage and socio-political elements are found in the songs.
If you listen closely to Budoy’s underlying humor; witty and often
satirical lyrics, you may get the message. Junior Kilat hopes to
instill among Filipinos not only awareness but a deep understanding and
pride in our own multifaceted culture.
The album was entitled “Enrique de Malacca”, based on the Malay who was
captured by Ferdinand Magellan to become his personal servant and
interpreter. There are various theories that Enrique was the first
person to truly circumnavigate the world in known history and that he
was a Filipino native who was captured by Muslim raiders and sold in a
slave mart. Whichever theory one chooses to believe or oppose, Budoy
wants to lure curiosity among his listeners, hoping that people will
research about Enrique on their own.
Budoy sees Enrique de Malacca, as another unsung hero just like Cebu’s
revolutionary soldier, Leon Kilat to which the band was named after.
The Italian and Yale manuscripts of Pigafetta\'s journal during
Magellan\'s voyage, gave lists of not only Malay but also Visayan words.
These lists are attributed to Enrique, who also displayed in-depth
knowledge of local customs and traditions upon landing in the Visayan
islands. The question is, did Enrique know the language of the
Cebuanos, or were they just speaking Malay, the popular trade language?
That is where Budoy’s fascination on this common slave started. Whether
or not Enrique was originally from here or from another country, he may
still hold the distinction of being the first circumnavigator of the
globe.
Junior Kilat pays tribute to the legendary Yoyoy Villame with their
songs Enrique de Malacca and Granada. The band gives him credit that
they have been influenced by Yoyoy’s musical style and ingenuity. As
Budoy placed it, he is his hero musically because of his “pabalising”
style or satirical commentaries. The metaphors are there and the
listeners are left to freely interpret them on their own.
The song BAKUNAWA is about a mythical creature that
swallowed the moon thus causing an eclipse. People back on earth had to
make noises to frighten it away, thus spitting out the moon. Just like
the Sigbin, there are many theories as to what this creature may look
like. Versions of this myth are influenced by our ancestors that pass
down their own stories generation after generation. This is one of the
dub tracks in the album that will make you drift away.
LUMAYis a narrative on the long process of making “love potions”
based on Budoy’s various trips to Siquijor. This song is a musical
documentary of our Filipino culture and on the intricacy in following
rituals. The fact remains that Filipinos are instilled with both pagan
and Catholic roots and beliefs co-existing at the same time.
EDRO is an upbeat song which is a humorous true story account of
the band’s experience of being left behind by the only flight that
would take them to Mindanao. Why Edro? Budoy was intrigued by the
etymology of the word Edro, which is a unique waray word that means
airplane. During World War II, there were no airports in Leyte; thus
Hydroplanes were being used as it could easily glide and land on water.
Those Hydroplanes were called Hydro for short, which eventually evolved
into being called Edro.
1-2-3 is a lighthearted song on the pastime of the young and old
alike, spider fighting. Again it is another allusion of social culture.
Playing with spiders is certainly not illegal, but when taken much too
seriously, it can do much damage. As with the music video of Junior
Kilat, one’s wholesome pastime can elevate badly into an obsession that
can get out of control. “Moderation is always the key” as the saying
goes.
With this album, Junior Kilat ventured out upon the great unknown sea,
with glimpses of history: Spanish colonization, pagan and Catholic
beliefs, indigenous rituals and the Filipino’s socio-cultural way of
life that is carried up to the present generation. They left their
common shores undaunted and were magically blown in that direction.
“Enrique de Malacca”, Junior Kilat’s album for 2008, is all about reggae, dub and dancehall with a touch of Filipino culture.
JUNIOR KILAT
Enrique de Malacca
Granadub (04:51) Lumay (05:45) Bakunawa (03:31) Edro (5:09)
Katyubong (03:19) 1-2-3 (05:15) Ungong Buotan (05:42)
Enrique de Malacca (04:08) Lumay Dub (05:39) Ungo Dub (08:01)
All albums of Junior Kilat are available at your local record bars.
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For Booking Inquiries, Please contact Fillip Castro at +63909.321.7756. or +032.233.5758
Email at: castrocreatives@gmail.com
Address: Lahug
Tel. No : +032-2335758
Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Junior-Kilat/17242613269
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