Unsa Man Dong?

He writes some of the best and wittiest lyrics and melodies in the genre relatively referred to as “Pinoy Rock”.

He first gained notoriety and a cult following in UP Diliman as one-half of the punk/folk/novelty group Yano. Blessed with a powerful and distinctive voice, he combines his singing prowess with on-stage antics. I remember as a sophomore attending the usual UP Fair in February, Yano came on stage and played songs from their album and in his rock-star and rock-trash fashion, he mimicked an epileptic seizure, sang with eyes wide open and looking maniacal, and groveled on the floor without missing a note.

In impromptu performances at the Sunken Garden and at the oldwatering hole called Gulod at Krus na Ligas, his duo-acts with guitarist Eric Gancio were the stuff of legends talked about for years. While lacking the amped enhancements of distortion and plunger and effects used in live performances, the rusty old acoustic strings on a battered guitar accompanied his toned-down voice in these late evening performances. He was there to perform, to tell his stories, and his points-of-view to those willing to listen.

Yano later disbanded and he was out of the Pinoy rock music scene for several years. Reports and interviews of him said he was clinically depressed and locked himself up in his room for 5 years. Weird huh?

He came back recently, now as the lead singer of Pan. Despite the recent depression attacks, his songs with the new bands continued to be good, message-wise and melody-wise and still as witty and as gritty as his Yano days.

Now, with his solo effort out, he only proves that Yano and Pan and Dong Abay are synonymous and one and the same. That despite hiding behind a group name, Dong Abay is Dong Abay – his voice, his sentiments, his world views and his rants resonate out of every song.

Dong Abay Album Playlist:

Espasyo
Akrostik
Aba Aba
Perpekto
Kukote
Awit ng Kambing
Tuyo
Mateo Singko
Dyad
Bombardment
Ay Buhay
Segundo
Solb
WWIII

Dong Abay’s self-titled album is probably his best work yet. An eclectic mix of punk-rooted and melodic songs, all 14 of them, will delight any listener of the OPM rock genre and will especially be a treat to Yano and Pan fanatics like myself. A mature Dong Abay has written thought-provoking lyrics with compromising wittiness and musicality. A musician in Dong Abay has come out with melodies, riffs, and musical patterns that delight the ears. And a passionate Dong Abay is speaking from every line and note of every track in this great album.