THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TALAHIB
Wonder why people groove to Latin music even without knowing a single word in Spanish? Or why Vesti La Giubba’s opening lines below, in Italian, immediately evoke angst?
(To act! When, taken by delirium,
I no longer know what I’m saying or what I’m doing!
But yet... it’s required... force yourself! Bah! perhaps you are a man? You’re a Clown!)
It’s because music is a universal language that transcends dialects and the languages of the world. It inspires and binds people of all races into a singular community — living and breathing — foot-stomping, in cadence, with even the most isolated tribal groups’ singing or music-making.
The bone-flute, the world’s oldest recognized musical instrument, was discovered in Germany at a Stone Age cave by archaeologists of the University of Tübingen.
Researchers theorize that the ancient “flutes” serve as evidence for the existence of an early musical tradition that likely helped modern people communicate and form stronger social bonds.
Today, the diversity of cultures around the world and across cultural knowledge is greater than ever. World music provides a structure for thinking about how we converge musical and cultural differences.
Talahib: Mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig at
Digmaan serves as the heartbeat of the people as seen by the band.
Music classification combines popular Western music styles into one of many genres, described as folk music or ethnic music featuring distinctive traditional ethnic instruments or indigenous instruments.
In the Philippines, World music proponents Bayang Barrios, Grace Nono, and Joey Ayala are well known for their styles in music that combine the sounds of Filipino ethnic instruments with modern pop music.
Talahib People’s Music, a folk quartet from different disciplines of arts founded in July 2000, is a world music rock band from the Philippines.
The band covers local politically progressive songs — grassroots, hence, Talahib members pay homage to their Filipino heritage with a medley of native instruments, homegrown music and a bevy of bona fide performances.
Twenty years later, they are still in the limelight, with their provocative lyricism coupled with breathtaking beats bringing audiences across the nation and the world to their feet.
Talahib People’s Music is an award-winning bandcomposed of Arvy Rojas on vocals, Bonjo Agustin on acoustic guitar and vocals, Burn Belacho on lead guitar and hegalong, LJ Pasion on bass, Domeng Molina, Max Celada, and Jones De Vera on percussions and Darrel Roberto and Pigo Caig on drums.
The band covers local politically progressive songs — grassroots, hence, Talahib members pay homage to their Filipino heritage with a medley of native instruments, homegrown music and a bevy of bona fide performances.
“Talahib is simple. It means grass, with razor-sharp edges. If you pass through that type of grass you are more likely to get a cut or mark. Our music is making a mark on the people,” Agustin explained.
Their first major performance was in 2001 as part of a benefit show to help victims of the Payatas tragedy.
With influences from local Filipino legends like Bob Aves and Joey Ayala, Belacho points out to his ethnic guitar. “That guitar, it has a twin with Joey, he gave that to me,” Belacho said.
The band has been very active in exhibitions, in annual music festivals, broadcasts and mainstream media, as well as in other public performances. Among these were the Images Festival at Aalborg City and the P-Noise Festival at Copenhagen in Denmark from August to September 2013.
In 2019, they resonated with vibrant Filipino music showcasing indigenous instruments with Miss Universe Catriona Gray’s homecoming at the Araneta Coliseum.
The band was awarded The Outstanding Cultural Worker in the Philippines by the National Coordinating Body of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines.
They are active advocates of Musikang Pilipino, Filipino script Baybayin and a member of the Musika Publiko community of composers, musicians, performers, music producers and enthusiasts advocating socially relevant music. Latest single
Talahib released an 11-track album entitled, Talahib: Mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig at
Digmaan (Songs of Love and War), inspired by their indigenous roots and influences of blues, dance, reggae and rock music.
The album serves as the heartbeat of the people as seen by the band — filled with social commentary, reflections on life, musings on systemic corruption, and repatriation. It is an unrelenting call for love, unity, and hope. It aspires to raise the positivism of Filipino consciousness, to teach self-reliance, and, of course, to celebrate the blessings of life. “Magkaisa sa Kapayapaan” is Talahib People’s Music new original song composed by Jaime Hernandez Jr. The song speaks about unity, coming together for just and lasting peace.
“Ito ay panawagan ng banda at sa paghihikayat na rin sa kapwa musikero na gamitin ang kanilang talento sa pagsusulong ng kapayapaan, at magbuklod for greater strength and unity.”
Follow Talahib People’s Music on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Watch them and other bands on TribuneNOW’s Friday Mixer, premiering every Friday at 6 p.m. on Facebook and 7 p.m. on YouTube.
In their Friday Mixer performance, listeners new to World Music and loyal fans alike will get a glimpse of the band’s music and have fun in the “Baybayin Challenge.” Click this link: www.youtube. com/watch?v=bAQ9xNz7Xo8.