The Dawn is one of the best Philippine rock bands ever (some thirtysomethings and fortysomethings would even argue they're the best). They started in the underground scene and broke into the mainstream with their innovative and advanced sound. There was just no one like them at that time, and no one since. It's a pity there just aren't any local bands as good these days.
Iisang Bangka is one of their best songs, me thinks. It's been a rocker anthem and it still is today. It came at us with a then-unique sound, even for the Dawn themselves (I mean, none of their other songs sound quite this way). It was very modern with a touch of ethnic, with an aggressive quality which was at the same time ethereal. And Wow guitars. At that time that sort of thing wasn't really common anywhere in Asia, you couldn't help being so impressed with Francis' Reyes guitar playing. Hanep talaga. Intro pa lang!
The lyrics are amazing too; contemporary Tagalog poetry sung very rhythmically in Jett Pangan's unique, easily distinguishable voice. It's a testosterone-laden (very strongly male) song of comradeship, with references to the ancient Filipino ancestors' arduous journey through the sea.
If you were alive in the Philippines in the '80s, you would remember it from a San Miguel Beer commercial. Apparently San Miguel produced this video for them for use of their song on a TV ad (great choice, San Miguel!). It aired periodically every day for a time on local channels - there was the shorter "jingle" version and the extended music video. That's partially why it's so part of us Pinoy Gen-Xers - the repeated play ingrained it in our minds, and made it the background music to our growing-up days. So when we who heard it back then hear it today, it evokes a slew of memories and emotions.
(I have to confess. While I blogging this, I have Iisang Bangka playing over and over and over. After the fifth or sixth time, I for some reason started to feel like crying -but not in a sad way. It's like I'm feeling a confusing surge of emotions. Darnit.)
I was around twelve years old and I remember waiting for the video to come on as I watched television; the mere sound of the intro was exciting and the visuals were captivating (especially since hardly any local artists had a music video, and no one had one this well-made; and for a twelve year old in the '80s this was AWESOME). It was so cool. At that time teenage boys swore to someday sing like Pangan or play like Reyes.
Listening to it again, I still think the sound is pretty great - I mean, even for today (I don't mean the sound quality of course but the instrumentation, lyrics, et al).
Below is the same video I used to see everyday. They look so young here; I never realized they were that young. Just ignore the late '80s / early '90s fashion and the pre-grunge moves ... actually, just close your eyes and give a listen.
Kay dilim at kay ginaw sa kalawakan ng dagat
Ubod lakas kung humiyaw ang galit na hanging habagat
Ngunit buo ang puso mo'ng ang daluyong ay susugurin
Magkasama tayong katahimika'y hahanapin
Saan ang tungo mo mahal ko'ng kaibigan
Saan sasadyain hanap mo'ng katahimikan
Basta't tayo'y magkasama laging sasabayan kita
Pinagsamaha'y nasa puso kaibigan kabarkada
Iharap natin ang layag sa umaawit na hangin
Kapit-bisig tayong ang gabi ay hahawiin
[CHORUS 1]
Dahon ng damo, tangay ng hangin
At di mo matanaw kung saan ka dadalhin
Ngunit kasama mo ako, nakabigkis sa puso mo
Daluyong ng dagat ang tatawirin natin
Saan ang tungo mo mahal ko'ng kaibigan
Saan sasadyain hanap mo'ng katahimikan
Basta't tayo'y magkasama laging sasabayan kita
Pinagsamaha'y nasa puso kaibigan kabarkada
Iharap natin ang layag sa umaawit na hangin
Kapit-bisig tayong ang gabi ay hahawiin
[CHORUS 2]
Ating liliparin, may harang mang sibat
Ating tatawirin, daluyong ng dagat
Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo
Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin
Ating liliparin, may harang mang sibat
Ating tatawirin, daluyong ng dagat
Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo
Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin
Ubod lakas kung humiyaw ang galit na hanging habagat
Ngunit buo ang puso mo'ng ang daluyong ay susugurin
Magkasama tayong katahimika'y hahanapin
Saan ang tungo mo mahal ko'ng kaibigan
Saan sasadyain hanap mo'ng katahimikan
Basta't tayo'y magkasama laging sasabayan kita
Pinagsamaha'y nasa puso kaibigan kabarkada
Iharap natin ang layag sa umaawit na hangin
Kapit-bisig tayong ang gabi ay hahawiin
[CHORUS 1]
Dahon ng damo, tangay ng hangin
At di mo matanaw kung saan ka dadalhin
Ngunit kasama mo ako, nakabigkis sa puso mo
Daluyong ng dagat ang tatawirin natin
Saan ang tungo mo mahal ko'ng kaibigan
Saan sasadyain hanap mo'ng katahimikan
Basta't tayo'y magkasama laging sasabayan kita
Pinagsamaha'y nasa puso kaibigan kabarkada
Iharap natin ang layag sa umaawit na hangin
Kapit-bisig tayong ang gabi ay hahawiin
[CHORUS 2]
Ating liliparin, may harang mang sibat
Ating tatawirin, daluyong ng dagat
Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo
Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin
Ating liliparin, may harang mang sibat
Ating tatawirin, daluyong ng dagat
Basta't kasama mo ako, iisang bangka tayo
Anuman ang mithiin ay makakamtan natin
Below is The Dawn as they came together for the 2007 NU 107 Rock Awards. They played an excerpt of a faster, fiercer version of Iisang Bangka updated for the new century. You'd notice that playing the bass for them is Buddy Zabala from the Eraserheads.
