FUBARgenre: The Genre of Fubar

It’s been a week since I got back, but I’m still trying to catch up on some backlog. Long story. (A friend recently pointed out that I tend to over abuse the “long story” line. Well, what can I say? It really is a long story, you know.)

I’ve been meaning to write a detailed account of what went on in Hastang’s recent Manila trip, but Guile beat me to it. And I couldn’t have said it better. Guile’s chronicle is an excellent take on the indie-band-on-the-road angle, infused with his own unique guileful style. Ahem. Thank you, Guile. If you must know, I’m taking notes for my soon-to-be-started Hastang biography.

Blogworthy Moments

In a nutshell, the weekend was full of excitement.

I had the time of my life hanging out with my favorite band…

reuniting with my favorite goddess, whom I’ve missed so much these past couple of months…

and, of course, witnessing Hastang’s frenzied performance on stage…

Nostalgia at the UP Fair

My UP fair experience, however, was a little bittersweet (to say the least).

On the one hand, I was psyched that Hastang got to play their dream gig. *clap, clap, clap*

On the other hand, I was hit with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. The absence of Bon and Jojo, Daisy and Dexter, Joreca and Acid, Gerik and Pio, Ibyang and Fielmore, Raymond and Jan, Ken and Mae, plus the rest of our once tight-knit college group, was so glaring that it took all of my resolve not to break down in tears. No exaggeration here. It hit me the moment Gen and I stepped out of the backstage area and onto the main grounds: this used to be our playground, but we’re strangers here now. Suffice it to say that it just wasn’t the same. Our time has passed. It’s their UP fair now. Not ours. *sniff*

The worst part was, I couldn’t drown my sorrows in alcohol. Isn’t getting drunk the whole point of the UP Fair? Apparently not. The whole point of the UP fair used to be (for me, anyway) experiencing an orgasm with both eyes open (er, pardon the Rachele Klein phase). If you’ve been to the UP fair in the late 90s and early millennium, you’d know what that means.

Nonetheless, I still managed to have a great time with Gen, Alli, Tonio, and Hastang. And thanks to the ingenuity of the Corteses, I did manage to take a few sips of beer (going completely dry at the fair is a sin in my book) — not enough to commune with the divine elements of the sunken garden (oooh, you have no idea), but enough to forget (for a few moments at least) that I was no longer 18.

Of course, I’m very grateful to Rachelle and the staff of Eufairia for the invite. (I owe you one, Rache. Whenever you’re in Cebu, do ring me up. I’d love to take you out.) Thank you, from the bottom of my world-weary heart.

Back to Hastang

I didn’t mean to go all emo here. This was meant to be a flippant response to Guile’s “Notes from the Bass Player”, but it came out all wrong. (Gen may have already guessed what triggered this: I blame Atonement for the mush. Grrr. But I digress. )

Anyway, let me just take this opportunity to thank all the people who supported Hastang when they went to Manila. It’s not easy for indie Cebuano bands to penetrate the national music scene (there’s a back story here, but I’m not in a position to elaborate), and it really helps to have friends who support your cause.

Rember, Sasa, and Jaycee, thank you for your faith in Hastang. You inspire the band to greater heights.

Alli and Tonio, thank you for flying all the way to Manila to support Hastang. If Tonio decides to pursue his singing career, we’ll support him just as wholeheartedly.

Phoebe and ZsaZsa, thank you for standing by your men. You give them strength; you give them hope. Thank you.

Gen, I thank you for being you. I need not say more.

To every stranger who cheered for Hastang, for every voice that shouted “More, more, more!” at the Hastang Night, for every pair of hands that clapped for Hastang, thank you. Your appreciation means so much to the band.

And to Tessa, Gaw, Guile, MoiMoi, and Mark, thank you. Thank you for your music. Thank you for letting me share your dream.

Baby, I’m so proud of you. I love you for your passion, your resilience, your relentless pursuit of your dream. You inspire me, always.