Bayang showcases
winning form in 'Alon'
Posted 05:52pm (Mla time) Nov 19, 2004
By Andy Bais
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A2-5 of the November 20, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
BAYANG Barrios, grand prize winner of last year's Metro Pop songwriting competition, feels like a winner once again. She has just completed her third solo album, "Alon," which she and musician-husband Mike Villegas co-produced.
She's busy promoting the album herself, even bringing CD copies during singing gigs--a "chore" that she has to do on her own, because she doesn't belong to a recording company.
No complaints
Thus far, Bayang has no complaints. "With my initial earnings, may magagamit ako para sa [I'll have money for my] album launching at The Conspiracy on Visayas ave. in Quezon City on Dec. 11, " she says, beaming.
The former back-up vocalist of alternative music artist Joey Ayala describes her album as a fusion of musical influences-ethnic, pop, folk and rock. She simply calls it 'Bayang music' "kasi wala akong katunog [no one sounds like me]."
Top cuts include the pop-rock and jazz versions of the title track written by Mike. The hauntingly beautiful love song, "Sa Piling Mo," written by the husband-and-wife team of Gigi and Ronnie Cordero, is our favorite. The tune could easily become a popular wedding anthem in due time.
Visayan love song
Ryan Cayabyab (music) and Nanding Josef (lyrics) have contributed the world music-inspired song, "Asya." Bayang's own composition, the Metro Pop-winning entry, "Malayo Man, Malapit Din," is also in the album. And she revives a traditional Visayan love song, "Buhi sa Kanunay," for fellow Cebuano-speaking music buffs.
How's the live-performance aspect of her career doing? "Maski paano, hindi ako nababakante. Kahit kasuluk-sulukang probinsya, napupuntahan ko--kahit libreng transportation lang ang bayad. Ang importante, napapasaya ko ang nag-iimbita sa akin. Bumabawi na lang ako sa corporate shows! [No matter what happens, I don't end up idle. No matter how far-flung the province, I go there--even if all I get is free transportation. What's important is that I make those that invite me happy. I just make up for it with corporate shows.]"
Andy Bais is a contributor to the Inquirer.
