MANILA, Philippines – Musician Tao Aves, alongside rapper and beatmaker Calix, launched the 12-track album Oriang in late September to pay tribute to contemporary Philippine heroes.
At its core, the album draws inspiration from Gregoria de Jesus, a historical figure from the Katipunan who fought valiantly for the Philippines. But it goes beyond mere respect. It also honors the ordinary people who participated in the national democratic struggle, painting an image of what the present-day hero is like.
“[Gregoria de Jesus] was a records keeper for the Katipunan. So I think the nature of the songs as portrait songs are essentially you’re keeping a record of these people and their legacy. So, that’s where we saw some symmetry, right?” Tao told Rappler in an interview.
While Oriang paid respect to historical figures like De Jesus, it also sought to pay tribute to the modern-day victims of oppression. “We were most thoughtful of those who we have not been able to grieve publicly,” the artist reflected.
The album features a powerful and evocative tracklist, each song paying tribute to a different Filipino hero or activist whose legacy continues to inspire young generations. The tracks include tributes to Amanda Echanis, Kerima Tariman, Chad Booc, Leonard Co, Ericson Acosta, Inday Bagasbas, Eugenia Magpantay and Agaton Topacio, Daisy Macapanpan, Adora de Vera, Zara Alvarez, Alvin Fortaliza, and Brandon Lee.
Songs for the youth
The entire Oriang project was kickstarted by the curiosity of Tao’s 14-year-old daughter in the country’s political climate.
“She’s always been super curious. So now and again, she’ll ask us hard questions like how did it happen that a second Marcos is in power. And we try as much as possible to explain truthfully and based on facts,” Tao said.
“Most of the songs, you’ll notice, parang may kausap na bata (it’s like you’re talking to a child),” Tao added. She also mentioned that this sentiment goes beyond their own child and extends to an entire generation of Filipino youth who will soon “stand to inherit this political environment.”
“Everything is so accessible now,” the musician shared. “These kids are constantly online and there’s so much information they are not always able to filter through…. There’s a lot that, just the making of the filters for what information to take stock of, what information to take with a grain of salt.”
Their goal was to produce music that could serve as a compass for their daughter and other youths through songs rooted in truth and activism amidst the media chaos.
Tao and Calix began working together in 2022 — first dedicating three tracks to Lumad school teacher Chad Booc, imprisoned cultural worker Amanda Echanis, and activist poet Kerima Tariman. This project was later extended with the addition of nine songs, eventually turning the album into a 12-track record.
Oriang’s final form allowed it to pay tribute to even more remarkable individuals, such as writer-turned-revolutionary martyr Kerima Tariman, and poet and National Democratic Front consultant Ericson Acosta, who lost their lives in the present political conflict during the pandemic.
For the two musicians, it was about preserving these stories and offering future generations a reference point — archetypes and recorded values they can look up to as they enter adulthood while grappling with questions like: “Ano kaya ang bayani? Ano kaya ang puwedeng itsura ng kabayanihan? (What is a hero? What does heroism look like?)”
Voices of Filipino martyrs
The album delves into the intense personal experiences and societal struggles, shedding light on the tragic fates of the activists and freedom fighters. Yet this was precisely what made the project more seamless for the musicians.
“Oo, mabigat na mabigat ang paksa (Yes, the subject is heavy). But it was so much easier compared to making an album that’s a little more introspective…. Immediately, it’s not about you. It’s about much, much larger people., Tao explained.
Like any passion project, logistical hurdles in areas like budgeting are bound to arise sooner or later. But when the stories of 12 modern-day heroes are in your hands, you’ll do whatever you can to make sure the album happens.
“By hook or by crook, we were going to make this record,” Tao said.
The team also reached out to the people who were directly impacted by the struggles they sang about, in an effort to ensure that their stories were told with authenticity and respect. This includes the family members of the featured figures — such as Glenda Co, the widow of the martyred botanist Leonard Co. “That was a really integral part of how we made this. It was very important for us, where we could contact people,” Tao shared.
As part of this effort, they connected with Daisy Macapanpan, a prominent environment advocate who dedicated her life to protecting fragile ecosystems of Southern Tagalog and was charged with rebellion following her outspoken criticism of such initiatives.
“Naging napaka-mahalaga ang pakikipanayam na part. Si Tita Daisy [Macapanpan], we were able to speak to online (The interview part became very important. We were able to speak to Daisy [Macapanpan] online). She was there at the launch,” Tao said.
This community involvement became a pillar of the project, creating a direct link between the music and the people whose lives it celebrated and honored.
A testament to truth and activism
Tao expressed hope that making this kind of music would eventually become natural for future musicians — to the point that the instinct for its creation overpowers the underlying fears that come with demanding justice and accountability through art.
According to Tao, many have already come before in “consistently making progressive works,” but for those who are just starting, “we’re all still in the same boat, figuring out how to do the work right, do the work justice.”
Tao particularly noted that the 2019 album Kolateral, which told the stories of the drug war in the Philippines, established a benchmark for developing concept albums with a theme of social consciousness. She emphasized the beneficial elements of this record, emphasizing that it reminded people that art must tackle social concerns and serve as an inspiration for further projects along these lines, including her own.
She further emphasized that the creation of music alone cannot alter the system; ordinary individuals must also act courageously in unison and take collective action.
“I hope mas marami pang gumawa. For all I know, marami naman ang gumagawa (I hope more people will create them. For all I know, many are already making them). But largely for a child’s generation, I hope because more people are making this kind of work, putting forward this kind of work, It’s not anymore the more complicated conversation of how we experience preparing to make this,” she expressed.
Tao highlighted that true freedom or change for the people must come from their own collective efforts, a call for empowerment and self-determination among the people.
“Sikapin ‘nyo kung kanino kayo nakikininig, at makimuhay when you can. Kung papalaya sa masa, ay ang masa (Be mindful of who you listen to. And live alongside others when you can. If anyone is to liberate the masses, it will be the masses themselves). So art is for service, It’s not by itself the tool. But it’s something you can learn.” – Rappler.com
Zulaikha Palma is a Rappler intern studying AB Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas.