Name: Junior Kilat
Location: Cebu City
Relationship Status: Single
Record Label: Galaxy Records
About Me: 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. LUMAY is 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 history and culture. ----------------------------------------------
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Fave Artist / Influences: Lee Scratch Perry, Sly & Robbie, Eek-A-Mouse, Prince Far-I, Yoyoy Villame, Max Surban and more
Genre: reggae dub