PRESS RELEASE
 
 
----------------
 
Kapampangan Theme Songs for Kapampangan TV Series
 
Infomax.8, a Kapampangan cable channel based in the City of San Fernando, and
Kalalangan Kamaru, a group of multidisciplinary Kapampangan youth cultural
workers, are seeking to revolutionize Kapampangan mass media by crafting the
first ever Kapampanganovela (Kapampangan telenovela) in the history of
Philippine broadcasting. "Kalam" tackles the life and adventures of a new
generation of witches and healers (gifted people, or in Kapampangan, ding ating
kalam) born in urban Pampanga and how they struggle to fit in a skeptical,
discriminating, and fearful society. It will be an exciting mix of urban
fantasy, action, romantic comedy, drama, and social relevance, while using
Kapampangan culture—both past and present, folk and modern, rural and
urban—as canvass.
 
The dialogues in "Kalam" are in the Kapampangan language, except in special
cases where English and Tagalog are realistically the fitting languages. With
that mentioned, it will be a sin to not get Kapampangan songs to serve as as the
opening and closing theme songs of "Kalam," which were recorded at Kid's Place
Recording Studio in Salapungan, Angeles City.
 
Pamuklat a Dalit (Opening Song)
 
Ing likuan mu kanaku
E ne agyu ning nanu mang panulu
 
Four members of 2007 Angeles City San Miguel Beer Battle of the Bands champion 5
Against The Wall (Jon Tanganco, bass; Jaynard Bengo, drums; Nhoel Austria,
guitar; Arnold Espino, vocals), the vocalist of Guagua-based Red Horse
Muziklaban finalist rock band Nora Aunor Fans' Club (Ramcos Nulud), and a
Mabalacat-residing teenage violinist John Canlas collaborate to create the
opening theme song of "Kalam." 5 Against The Wall and Nora Aunor Fans' Club were
both participating bands in Kalalangan Kamaru's and Holy Angel University Center
for Kapampangan Studies' RocKapampangan project, with the former doing a reggae
version of 'Sibul Na Ning Arayat' and the latter composing a blues version of a
hilarious Kapampangan children's song they titled 'Kaplas.'
 
The lyrics written by "Kalam" writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, the title
of the song is Alang Anggang Sugat (Eternal Wound) and it talks about the dark
betrayal of a person whom one used to trust deeply. Such betrayal causes one a
traumatic and deep wound bound to last for eternity. To give the song a spin,
the genre of the song is metal—in spite of 5 Against The Wall known locally
for its reggae sound—fused with a bit of classical, thanks to the violin of
Canlas, who is a college senior from the Holy Angel University and a member of
its Theater Guild.
 
To honor two of the great Kapampangan poets, the song used excerpts of poems by
Jose Gallardo (one of his Malikwatas and 'Ing Biye Alang Bakas') and Mariano
Sigua ('Aduang Curan') in its rap parts.
 
Panyarang Dalit (Closing Song)
 
Mibalik na ka kaku / uling e ku agyu
Ibalik ta ing oras / na ning pamiyabe tamu
 
Tarlac City-based Kapampangan band Mernuts—popular through YouTube for
rendering Kapampangan translations of songs such as Rihanna's 'Umbrella' and
Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'—made their original composition 'Oras' to serve as
the closing song of "Kalam."
 
The song, penned by vocalist Jhaye Arzaga, is written in Kapampangan. It is
their second original Kapampangan composition after 'Aliwa Kang Talaga,' their
contribution in the RocKapampangan album released last February at the Holy
Angel University. 'Oras' is a love song of longing, inviting a loved one after a
serious fight to turn back time, when love was still pure.
 
Music Videos: Fusion of pop and local culture
 
The Kapampangan youth, who have been part of the so-called MTV generation, will
not be disappointed when they see the music videos created for the theme songs,
which are regularly aired on the Infomax channel. They may also be viewed by
checking out the YouTube account of 'sisigman.'
 
In spite of the pop culture theme of the music videos, Kapampangan culture
enthusiasts will not be disappointed as well, as the creative team made it a
point to fuse pop culture and local culture.
 
Shot in the City of San Fernando, the music video of 'Oras' features not only a
number of the main cast of "Kalam," but also Roland Quiambao, Pampanga's giant
lantern master, and some of his beautiful works.
 
Shot in the Henson-Hizon heritage mansion care of Corito Panlilio-Lim, the music
video of 'Alang Anggang Sugat' could serve as an independent short film, as it
boldly shows the experience of a girl raped by her trusted male friends and how
the loss of her virginity caused social stigma, until she decided to end her
torment by committing suicide. The non-conservative treatment of the video has
caused some to brand it "too dark and gory," while some reacted in awe and
called it a "piece of art" and "at par with international music videos." Maleldo
(Holy Week) icons were used as well to poetically show emotions of regret and
suffering.
 
Yubs, the lead character in "Kalam" played by Aries Yap, and his Kularyut
sidekick, Kool, albeit played by a different person, are also in the video.
 
Both videos were directed by Laxamana, with the aid of Kalalangan Kamaru members
Diego Marx Dobles (Asst. Director), Jon Tanganco and Nhoel Austria (Set
Designers), and the technical team of Infomax. 8 including Joven Mallari
(Technical Director), Ashly Nunag (Camera Man), Martin Reyes (Asst. Camera Man),
and Teri Dela Pena (Production Assistant). Editors: Laxamana and Dobles.
 
Catch the bands behind the theme songs, together with the public screening of
their music videos, on the 27th of August at the Entertainment Plaza of SM City
Pampanga. It will be the Primerung Pasinag or Grand Premiere of "Kalam," where
the first full episode of "Kalam" will be screened in advance. Visit
http://kalamtv.blogspot.com for more info and text 09186992459 for inquiries.
 
 
 
 
(You can view the music videos @ http://kalamtv.blogspot.com )


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