by Florence Pia G. Yu
Published: Sun Star Weekend
Cebu City, Philippines
June 17, 2001
Page 10
Admittedly, weaving feminine powers doesn't always win everyone over; and Cattski and Anne have to play around "male egos" most of the time.
"Anne is very prone to criticism from men musicians," says Cattski. "It can get to you sometimes, but it goes away," Anne says.
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For over a year now, Anne and Cattski have been playing with male members Junell Codilla, John Brian Sacro and Jam Quijano. And now Cattski is managing the band after their manager quit to go to graduate school.
The ladies would rather pay more attention to their music than anything else. They have simply mastered the art of "girl banding" as Cattski would put it.
"What matters is you know this is what you love to do. You don't have to compare yourself to the men--just go up stage and do what you can do," says 19-year-old Anne.������
Both girls have been in the musical arena long before CATTSKI. Anne was already performing for another local group, and Cattski was making a name doing solo acts. It didn't come as a surprise when they instantly clicked during first tryout for CATTSKI, which the group had settled on naming after their lead singer for "recall purposes".
Currently, Anne and Cattski are taking the helm, as far as making the bulk of the band's music is concerned. Anne composes the music, and Cattski writes the lyrics. "The boys leave the composing to us because they say we have a flair for it," says Anne, grinning.
What is it about musicians and their egos?
Cattski: These are artist... sensitive, you know? Like, in our band, we don't always agree on everything. We agree on one thing, though--music. But we respect each other, that's what's important.
Anne: Let us hang out for one whole day without music--ambot lang kung mo-survive ba mi! Dili gyud mi mag-abot! (I'm not sure if we will survive).
What problems do you usually run into?
Anne: It's usually an ego thing. Sometimes, your ego gets shot at when someone throws a criticism or two at the way you are playing
Cattski: She criticizes me with my singing! (smiles wryly at Anne)
How do you feel about it?
Cattski: I hate it! (Anne bursts into laughter)
What's it like, working with her?
Cattski (jokes): Say something good..
Anne: (grinning) We just seem to click, especially in songwriting. After I finish a song composition, I give it to her. Then, siya nay mo-write.
Do you always agree on everything?
Cattski: We get into petty fights. Sometimes she wants things done this way, and I want it done the other way.
What was your worst fight ever?
Cattski: She couldn't make it to this gig because she had an exam. I was asking her to bend a bit to get this gig, but she was unenthusiastic about it. So the whole time, I was singing and looking at her and being mad. And it wasn't fun. Wa gyuy ayo.
Anne: If I'm mad at Cattski and I play for her, murag dili gyud mo fit. The atmosphere is different.
How do you deal with this?
Anne: If there's a problem, we talk about it.
Cattski: We call it banding, bonding. (grins)
What was the harshest thing thrown at you?
Cattski: The harshest? I think it doesn't have anything to do with my voice, thank God! Critics make it look like a big deal that I don't wear tank tops I dont like to wear tank tops! Yuck! I don't like showing off boobs!
Anne: When I play and there are other musicians around and they give me this look... It's like.. haaaay! Intimidating kaayo!
How are women keeping up in the industry?
Cattski: We don't think we are any less of musicians. The thing is, right now no one is doing it here in the local scene.
Anne: And I don't see it as competition with the guys. We just do our own thing.
Are your parents okay with you being in a band?
Cattski: They know that it's what I want to do. Besides, I got it from them--music. I come from a family of music lovers
How supported are you?
Anne: My dad supports my music. In fact, he bought my equipment for me.
Cattski: (butts in) Which is good because we just go to her house to practice, instead of paying for the use of a recording studio. We go and bother her family, though they don't mind. (laughs)
Who is your biggest influence in the family?
Cattski: My dad. He passed away. He played for the Phil. Philharmonic Orchestra. He had this wonderful record collection. He would make me listen to them and then read the credits in the album cover by detail, so that maybe I might learn something from it. He introduced me to different kinds of music: Latin, classic, instrumental.
When you're not performing, what do you do?
Cattski: I do marketing for a bar. I also stage productions.
Anne: I'm studying Nursing. I'll be in my third year when school opens.
Can you make a career out of performing in a band?
(in unison) No.
How do you see yourself in ten years time?
Anne: It pays very, very low. You just do this out of the passion for music.
What can you get from this?
Cattski: (grinning) Fun, fun, fun! If it's no fun, then it's nothing at all.
Anne: It's all about experience.
Anne: I know that I'll do this for as long as I can. It's fun to perform and make music. We are just here to play. We know what we are doing; we have fun with what we do; and we feel good about what we do!. I think that's what counts.
Cattski: (ponders) Maybe I'll give her a call, "Wanna play?"