Ka-Blog!

It has been such a long while–the venerable 70s Bistro in Quezon City packed to its creaky rafters by national democrats and friends. It felt like the good old days more than a decade ago when everyone knew everybody else from its narrow door to its smokey bar.

        To its credit, 70s Bistro still looked and felt the same. It still has its cramped toilets and egg crate ceilings. Most of all, it had the legendary Asin on stage last night. No one could have said it better than my lovely wife: “Nakaka-inis! Ang tatanda na pero ang galing pa rin!”

       Yes, Asin was at its best—Lolita (with her patented wild hair and shoulder pumps) and Pendong (hunching over his exquisite and pale guitar). They had the activists singing, swaying and asking for more. Of course they sang their classics—Usok, Karapatang Pantao, Kapaligiran and others. Testament to their longevity, reestablishment and post-IDKP activists sang along to their songs like they belonged to the same generation. Dottie Abaya and Risa Jopson enjoying the same group? Incredible! Lolita herself said of Kalikasan, “Mahirap paniwalaang 28 years old na ang kantang iyan.” Getting really into it, both traded mild jokes at their own expense. Pendong said that, indeed, they were amazed to realize recently “Mga lolo at lola na pala kami.” When Lolita took a quick break to take a sip of water, Pendong said “Sandali lang. Nauuhaw na ang Lola.”

        No one got drunk nor became rowdy. No real activist would dare to be with Rita Baua around. Policies aside, there really was no need to be inebriated silly to enjoy the night. The concert, entitled “Handog Kay Nanay” was all about music, specifically Asin music, and love, specifically a daughter’s love to her mother.

        The night’s real star was Nanay Belen, Ronalyn Olea’s mom, who is undergoing twice-a-week chemotherapy sessions to defeat her Stage IV breast cancer. Wan and weak, she stayed until the last song of one of her favorite bands. She bobbed her head along with the music and she was smiling all throughout the concert. “Handog kay Nanay” is a benefit concert organized by Len and future hubby Fred (who reminds me of Oscar Wilde) to raise funds for Nanay Belen’s treatments. I hear they raised a modest sum, enough for nearly a month’s treatment. Some more events would have to be staged. But the point was, here is a daughter moving heaven and earth to take some of her mother’s pains away.

       Music is love’s language, they say. Last night, in a cramped bar in an obscure corner of this blighted city, I saw no better proof of this.

       When Asin ended their second set, they sang “Byaheng Langit.” With good music and loving children and friends, we all prayed “Not just yet, Nanay Belen, not just yet.” #