Appreciating or listening to music is one of the ways by which we can learn about a certain culture. BAILAN is a Filipino indigenous rock music band that provides original music inspired by Filipino and other cultures’ indigenous sounds blended with a contemporary rock feel.

About BAILAN:

BAILAN provides musical performances that speak of what is good in Filipino culture. BAILAN hopes to communicate the beauty and strength of the Filipino race to individuals in search of good music focusing on Philippine culture.

BAILAN is another word for babaylan which is defined by the U.P. dictionary as: “Sa sinaunang lipunan, tao na may tungkuling magsagawa ng mga ritwal lalo na yaong pang-alay.” (Rough translation: “In early society, a person who has the responsibility of performing rituals, particularly those related to offerings.)

BAILAN is thus all about looking back to our roots, where we came from: our practices, beliefs, and values through their offerings of song.

The band started on August 10, 2006. At a time characterized by economic challenges, the continuous migration of Filipinos to other countries, and a seeming difficulty among younger people to appreciate what is Filipino or even speak the Filipino language, BAILAN seeks to create music that will imbue Filipinos with pride in their country, the Philippines.

In the past months, BAILAN has performed in schools (e.g. University of the Philippines’ Asian Center, Philippine Normal University) and upon the request of various NGOs like GZO, Community Volunteers Missioners based in the Cordillera, Peacemakers’ Circle, CCAG, and Ugat Pilipino.

BAILAN’s Songs:

To date, BAILAN already has 13 original musical pieces.

Following are the sample lyrics (in Filipino, the national language of the Philippines) of some of their songs to give you a flavor of the kind of musical performances that they do. These are included here with the permission of BAILAN. Please get in touch with them if you would like to make use of the lyrics too.

NAGHIHINTAY (Waiting)

Naghihintay, naghihintay
Dito sa parang
Hinihintay, hinihintay
Dalawin ng antok.

Hinihintay, hinihintay
Urong na gising
Upang makalipad
Sa tugatog ng bundok.

Ref.
Dahil sa dako pa roon.
Mayroong dadalawing ninuno at poon.
Hahandugan ng atang
Upang mahilom ang sakit at karamdaman.

Nawa’y maging sapat
Ang aming alay
Upang mabalik na
Sa hustong malay

O, Umboh, kami ay kaawaan
Upang mabalik na
Sa ‘yong kaharian
Ni Tuhan
Na kataas-taasan,
Na karangal-rangalan,
Na puspos ng kabaitan.

Naghihintay dalawin ng antok.(3x)

BAHAGHARI (Rainbow)

Sakay ako sa bahaghari
Nang kita’y masilayan
Anong kulay nga pala
Ng ulap mo noon.

Dili ba’t asul at luntian
Tulad ng bulaklak at halaman
Dili ba’t pula at dilaw
Tulad ng paru-parong magalaw.

Ref.
Sa dami ng kulay, Sinta
Sa liwanag kita nakikita
Dili ba’t ikaw ang pag-asa
Sa ngalan ng Lumikha.

Ulan man ay nawawari
Hangin ay namumutawi
Sa pagdatal ng ‘yong pag-ibig
Sa makulay na bahaghari.

LUHA NG LANGIT (Tears of Heaven)

Luha ng langit
Ang siya ring didilig
Sa tigang na lupa
Ng sandaigidig.
Tulad ng pighati’t
Mga kirot ng pagsubok
Yayabong ang butil
Kung tanggapin ang alok.
Pagtanggap
Ng sakit
Sa ngalan ng
Pagbabagong-loob.

Kaya’t buksan ang puso’t
Hihilumin ito
Ng himig ng pag-ibig
Na magpapalago
Sa butil ng diwang
Sisibol sa panahong
Handa na ang daigdig
Sa ‘yong pagyabong.

DALAWANG URI NG KAUNLARAN (Two Kinds of Progress)

Naandito sa hangganan
Tinatanaw ang kabundukan
Sinasaway ang pagitan
Dalawang uri ng kaunlaran.

Puno ba at halaman
O mga bakal at batong kaharian
Buhay ang sigaw sa pagitan
Alin nga ba ang tamang paraan?

Ref.
Lulunurin tayo kung di natin matandaan
Mga aral ng ninuno.
Mabubura ang katotohanan.

Profile of BAILAN’s Members:

Melchor Bayona
drums and percussions

“Choi” hails from Pasay and has been in the independent music scene since the late 1990s. He is trained in modern drumming and is now studying world percussions. He has worked in different music stores and productions in Metro Manila. His former musical affiliations include Elemento, Adaptor ,Kalumad. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast.

John Paul C. Hernandez
guitar, djembe, bamboo flute, kubing, hegalong

A native of Tondo who found his way to the cultural field through his interest in alternative music, he focused his self-education in music on guitar playing, drum playing and drum-making. This has extended to creating crafts and accessories inspired by indigenous styles. He also plays the hegalong and other indigenous musical instruments such as the kubing and the bamboo flute. He is a former member of numerous alternative music groups: Luneta Freedom Collective, Butong Pakwan, Kalumad.

Ma. Rhodora C. Veloso
lead vocals, lyricist

“Bing” Veloso has been a Philippine indigenous culture educator for 16 years. Her initial work was with the Lanao Del Norte people. In the last seven years, she has been with the Cordillerans where she expanded her vocal and song-writing repertoire, along with her development researches. She is a UP Diliman B.S. Economics graduate who continually seeks to respond to the Philippine Development question through cultural work. She also published her books with a set of cards that introduced a contemporary use of the ancient Tagalog writing system “Baybayin” (“Saysayin ng Baybayin”, 2002).

If you would like to get in touch with BAILAN to inquire about their music or to book them for performances, you may reach the band through the following:

John Paul Hernandez
46 V. Francisco St. Krus na Ligas Quezon City, Philippines
Mobile: 0910 2890897
E-mail: astroboyjp1281@yahoo.com

Or

Bing Veloso
Mobile: 0928 736 5024
E-mail: bing2v@yahoo.com

We would appreciate it if you will let BAILAN know that you obtained their contact information from http://www.AtYourWord.org

“…May the God of peace provide you with every good thing you need in order to do his will, and may He, through Jesus Christ, do in us what pleases Him. And to Christ be the glory forever and ever! Amen.” (Hebrews 13: 20-21 TEV)