MAKE YOUR OWN PHILIPPINE SCENE REPORT YEAR 2000 Hello subculture creatures! Welcome to the 3rd world scene. We haven't tried yet to make a scene report since then but due to plenty of requests from different foreign zinemakers to send them a scene report we decided to make our own scene report. So here's an incomplete and semi-extensive Philippine scene report done by the newly wed couple Gani & Adie of MAKE YOUR OWN ZINE & DISTRO. If you don't know yet our country is located in Southeast Asia and maybe the poorest country in Asia. The Philippines is bounded laterally by other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, and Malaysia; anteriorly by Hongkong and Taiwan; and posteriorly by Brunei and Indonesia. We have 7,083 islands in our country but the Philippines is divided into 3 major islands and these are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We have several existing dialects here from different provinces but the main dialect that we use is Tagalog. Of course many people here do know how to speak English even if it's not fluent that's why many punks and hardcores here can easily communicate with foreign scenesters who also speak English, and also 99% of Philippine zines is written in English. One of our current major economic problems here is the continuous devaluation of our currency [the peso] since 1997. That's the reason why punks and hardcores here can not afford to buy imported stuff from foreign distros and labels because the U$ dollar here is so expensive to get from the money changers. The Philippine punk/hardcore scene started way back in 1980, introduced by some Filipino expatriates from the USA and UK with the help of Howlin' Dave -- the disk jock of DZRJ-AM -- thru his noontime radio program then "Pinoy Rock & Rhythm", playing demos of early local punk/hardcore pioneers that includes THIRD WORLD CHAOS, THE JERKS, BETRAYED, ETHNIC FACES, OCEAN ZOO, ZOOT SUIT, WUDS, URBAN BANDITS, PRIVATE STOCK, and DEAD ENDS. Other local punk/hardcore pioneers of the 80s were PHILIPPINE VIOLATORS (now a rockstar band), DECEASED, RDA, GI & THE IDIOTS, IOV, COLLISION, DISCANT X, VALLEY OF DEATH, and more. The underground scene during that time was active only in Manila/Metro Manila areas and an isolated punk movement in Olongapo City was also created. Only 4 foreign punk bands got an opportunity to visit our country and performed some diy gigs here. First is ALL YOU CAN EAT (fun punk from San Francisco, Calif., USA) on December 1995, 2nd is PEACEFUL PROTEST (diy crustcore from Japan) on January 1997, 3rd is TRUTH OF ARIZE (anarcho-peace punk from Japan) on January 1999, and last is SIGNAL 3 (an all-Filipino oi/punk band based in California, USA) on May 1999. [plus thrash punks CODE 13 from Minneapolis, USA on May 2000 and CONTAINER CRUSTIES from the Netherlands on June 2000] All of these foreign bands did not receive any royalty or payment from the gig organizers because they know that local scenesters here are poor as rats and can not afford to shoulder their plane trip expenses but could provide a place to crash, food, drinks, jokes, and some souvenir items. If anybody of you are wishing to visit our country and perform some diy gigs here, we advice you to shoulder your own plane trip expenses from your country to our country and vice versa, is that clear? Okay, the Philippine underground scene is composed of different regional, provincial, town or municipal, and urban or city scenes. Only the diy bands, zines, newsletters, distros, labels, and scenesters that we know of are included here especially the regular contacts of MYO crew, even if some of them are non-punks or black/death metal supporters as long as they are into diy activities. We did not include here those who are pretending to be diy bands who released an album or contributed some songs under major labels because they are not worth mentioning here. Let's start the report in Manila (capital of the Philippines) and the Metro Manila scenes. DISABUSE is a raw hardcore crust band and they have released a diy demo in 1997 called "War and Revolution" c/o Rigor Ruiz, 1600 Int. 18, Felina St., Sampaloc, Manila 1008. He also does a zine called DISCOURSE. LIE DETECTOR is a Japanese/Swedish-influenced raw hardcore band and they got a diy split tape release with Senseless from Croatia. The vox of this band is doing a zine called VERBAL OFFENSE and the BULLET-IN newsletter c/o Darwin Koh, PO Box 3299, Manila 1099. He also does a couple of diy tape compilations. The drummer of this band has a zine too called FEEL FREE and distributes diy dubbed tapes under Feel Free Distro and he also makes some international diy comps and split tapes c/o George Sional, 230 Col. Santos St., South Cembo, Makati City. LE BEAT zine and MANTRA newsletter are the only Krishna/ska zine and newsletter here done by Ferdinand Lindayen, 1219 Antipolo St., Sampaloc, Manila. He also runs a newly formed small diy distro known as Le Beat Distro with some local zines, newsletters, demos, and Krishna consciousness books available from them. He and his wife are doing another newsletter called FOR ALL WHO CARES tackling environmental and animal awareness, Krishna consciousness, and more. ASKA is a manga ska punk skinhead comics zine supported by Le Beat crew and done by Mike Jimenez. Don't know the address but try to contact Le Beat Distro. INTENSITY is another newly released newsletter done by a member of the legendary chaotic hardcore punk band RDA. Check this out yo old school supporters of the BRAVE NEW WORLD MOVEMENT c/o Gene, 1348 J. Marzan St., Sampaloc, Manila. Their band RDA are sometimes seen on some diy gigs in Manila if the band members are not busy. They have released one cassette tape only entitled "Brave United in Trust" in 1987 under the defunct TWISTED RED CROSS tape label and their 2nd tape album which was supposed to be released under MIDDLE FINGER PRODUCTIONS but did not materialize because of financial problems from the side of the tape label. RADICAL zine is a diy anarcho-punk zine done by Humar Tarranco, 938 Mindoro St., Sampaloc, Manila. He also published a newsletter called NO MORE WAR. RESURRECTED is a veteran crossover thrash band in the vein of DRI and are planning to release a demo soon c/o Alvin Esperanza, 1248 M. Dela Fuente St., Sampaloc, Manila 1008. Great hardcore zine titled GET IN TOUCH, done by 2 hardcore brothers, is one of the active hardcore zines here. The 2 editors also released a newsletter called FORGING AHEAD and also run TAKE 4 DISTRO distributing foreign hardcore releases on duplicated diy tapes with permission from foreign labels and also some imported zines which they get from MYO Distro on consignment basis. Contact Butch & Dangie Regala, 1260-D Quiricada St., Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003. Another hardcore newsletter, done by the cousin of these 2 HC brothers, is called WATXEBER c/o Carl Rosalado, same address as Butch & Dangie's. ZINE RAMA PUKE is another diy punk zine done by 2 punk brothers. They also make a newsletter known as DISSENSION and distributes their own-made pins/buttons with various designs and cheap prices under BORR DISTRO c/o Joseph & Efren Afan, 370 P. Ortega St., Tondo, Manila. It seems that the Pandacan scene known as FREEDOM CREEK COLLECTIVE is not only hibernating but they have ceased to exist as well. During the heydays of the Freedom Creek scene they had a couple of diy bands there like TOILET SKANDAL, FREE FOR ALL, SEED OF PARANOIA, FLUSH BOMB, and SKARACHI. In fact they planned to release a compilation tape of Freedom Creek bands entitled "No Labels, Dirty Lies", unfortunately they did not release it due to lack of funds to mass produce it. They also managed to publish HERITAGE zine and Freedom Creek newsletter. Try to contact the Freedom Creek scenesters and ask them why they stopped their underground activities c/o Bryan Rex De Guzman, 2082 Hilum Ext., Pandacan, Manila 1011. Speaking of scene inactivity another vanishing scene from the Manila area is the ERMITA BAY AREA scene. In 1995 the scene in Ermita was formed by 4 Ermita-based bands namely SCROTAL SACS, GENERAL LUNA, GOOD FOR NOTHING, and DEPTH CHARGER. These 4 bands managed to release a compilation tape album called "Pain, Passion and Punk" under MISPLACE RECORDS. Their homebase clubhouse is also known as Misplace wherein plenty of diy gigs, projects, and other activities successfully happened. The 1st gig at Misplace happened on March 7, 1995 entitled "Agoncillo Undersiege". We saw a gig poster recently and we found out that some Ermita-based bands are still (but occasionally) supporting some diy gigs, maybe if they have enough spare time to jam. Contact Jon Nuguit, 5677 Taylor St., Bo. Del Pilar, Makati City 1200. The Metro Manila scene is scattered everywhere in different municipalities and cities. ALCOHOLOCAUST is a political anti-authoritarian feminist diy punk band. We've heard that Peacepunk Records from Japan will release the debut 7" ep of this band. Contact Loi Calo, PO Box 12623, Ortigas Center PO, Pasig City. She also does a diy feminist punk zine called DISSENT and runs GUERRILLA DISTRO. PARACONFLICT is an anarcho-peace punk band based in Metro Manila and one of their members sent us a sample copy of their "Fascist Terror" reh demo '98 without cover and song titles. The cover and lyrics sheet are still in the making according to them. Contact Michael Ilomin, PO Box 148, Taguig, Metro Manila. He also makes a punk zine called CHAOZINE and the ANTI-DICTUM newsletter. Next is CESSATION OF REPRESSION, it's a heavy political crustcore band in the vein of early ENT, Masskontroll, Disrupt, and Antischism c/o Ban Cabuguang, 7 Emerald St., Deva Vill., Tambak, Taguig, Metro Manila 1636. He does a diy anarcho-punk newsletter PUNK OUT HARD. He also managed to produce a diy Philippine crustcore tape compilation in 1997 entitled "Manila Crustcore" featuring 6 brutal crustcore and raw hardcore local bands such as Cessation of Repression, Lie Detector, Alcoholocaust, Disabuse, TERROR RUST, and MORAL ROT. Unfortunately the long-awaited cover and booklet of this compilation are not yet thru until now. PUNKS NOT THUGS is a collective of active punks dedicated to promoting the anarcho-punk lifestyle, attitude, and music c/o Paraconflict or COR address. SOLIDARITY FEDERATION OF ACTIVIST PUNKS IN THE PHILIPPINES (SFAPP) was recently formed and initiated by Manila/Metro Manila scenesters. It's main purpose is to unite and mobilize all activist punks throughout the Philippines and to educate themselves more about politics, social/ecological issues, civil and human rights issues, etc. No available contact address at the moment for safety reasons. They are still in the process of recruiting more radical punks. EMPTY plays fast and furious East Coast-style hardcore and the favorite band of the hardcore crowd. Maybe they are planning to release a demo in the future c/o Dixie, 316 Quezon St., Bagong Bayan, Taguig, Metro Manila. MINDSET 11 is an old school-style emo hardcore band but no demo out yet c/o Allen Rubis, 468 A. Mabini St., Pateros, Metro Manila. He also does the BOUND BY CONVICTION hardcore newsletter. NSA is a straightforward old school HC/punk band. They have released 3 tape albums now -- "No Strings Attached" (1998), "No Stereotypes Allowed" (1999), and "Nobody Shits to Anyone" (1999) -- but their plan is to release at least 9 cassette albums c/o Rheetyard Ortiz, Blk 1 Lot 16, Pleasant Village, Manggahan, Pasig City. OUTCRY is a raw new school hardcore band. They released their self-titled debut demo in 1998 c/o Randy Rayos, 55 Tawiran St., Santolan, Pasig City 1610. This guy also did a hardcore/skate zine called EXTROVERT. RESISTOR is a hardcore zine done by Cocoy Tan, 101 A. De Guzman St., Concepcion, Marikina City. MUTILATED NOISE DISTRO distributes duplicated diy dubbed tapes mostly classic foreign punk, HC, oi, ska, and crust records taken from imported cds and lps. Contact the veteran scenester who runs this distro c/o Noel Francia, PO Box 4527 MCPO, Makati City 1285. He's the one who did the longest running and oldest existing zine here called MUTILATED NEWS. Ask him for the newest issue. CONSPIRA-ZINE is a hardcore/punk zine with good layout and lots of articles c/o Jeff Gaerlan, PO Box 3189 MCPO, Makati City 1271. BREAKFAST is a diy riot grrl/personal zine done by Athena Tan, 5338 Amorsolo St., Dasmariñas Village, Makati City 1221. Another personal zine done from Makati City is WELCOME TO MY DOLLHOUSE by Cheryl Tiu, #5 Urdaneta Ave., Urdaneta Village, Makati City 1225. She also did a one-shot poetry zine called EVERYDAY IS INHIBITION. CHERRY BOMB is a hardcore band in the vein of Sick Of It All composed of 3 girls and 1 guy c/o Luv Gaerlan, PO Box 3189 MCPO, Makati City 1271. STAND STRAIGHT is a sxe hardcore zine done by Dencio Veloso, Blk 43 Lot 18, Soldiers Hills Village, Muntinlupa City. He is also a member of project band XSEED OF LIFEX and hopefully they will release a demo after the band's reformation. SCRAWLSHOP is a diy-made full-size zine featuring punk/HC/thrash/metal/rock/death/noise/industrial artists, and according to some reviewers this is the local version of Metal Maniacs. Contact Rallye Ibañez but sorry coz we don't know the new address of this guy. [think it's 47-E Morningstar Drive, Sanville Subd., Project 6, Quezon City] He also runs HYPNOS DISTRO with some duplicated diy tapes available from him. SHITWIPER is a diy pop punk-influenced zine but no new issue is available until now c/o Allan Mendoza, PO Box 37 ACPO, Cubao, Quezon City. Maybe he's busy working at the megacapitalist Tower Records together with other hardcore people like Reypeace Bravo [BIOFEEDBACK/MILAGRO guitars-vocals, ANTI/KEEP DA FAITH zines] of CROSSBLOOD DISTRO-Laguna. A reliable informer told us that the owner of this local record store is neither a punk/hardcore nor scene supporter [ey Vernon Go's a metalhead, played guitars for thrash band Inquisition and wrote the Vinyl Score column in Starweek back in the early 90s] but a Chinese businessman and only in it to gain huge profits because their prices are flying to the sky, and only rich hardcore coños could afford to buy their stuff. It's sad to know that some long-time scenesters are willing to help and become puppets of this non-punk big-time capitalist to take advantage and commoditize our scene. Maybe you have heard already the famous underground quotation "punk belongs to punks not to businessmen". Anyway try to read Tango Bango #3 and Breakfast #22 for additional comments. LUNAR LANDING is an awesome art zine c/o Lena, 31 Pitimini St., SFDM, Quezon City 1105. She had also organized a semi-successful zine convention on November 6, 1998 held in Angono, Rizal. [at Surrounded By Water, and a 2nd zine con was held from July 6-29, 2001 at the Pied Piper Place-Ortigas c/o Dumpling Press/Halo-Halo zine's Claire Villacorta] WENDY SAYS is a sex-oriented zine c/o BJ, 23-A Azucena St., Roxas District, Quezon City. [a.k.a. BJ The Punk, Rock & Rhythm and Rolling Paper's legendary editor] NOT FOR SALE is a chaotic noisecore tuneless punk band. They had released a 12-song demo titled "Not a Commodity, Not a Product, Not a Good, Not a Band". However many bands now from Manila and other scenes are boycotting their band because of their unpunk attitude like parasitism, non-cooperation in paying the gig's entrance fee even if they know that diy gig organizers need the money to pay for the equipment and the place they rented, and starting fights and inciting other chaotic activities. We've heard that they were mauled recently at the territory of hardcore scenesters in Marikina City when they tried to attend a gig and started to create chaos in the area. Anyway contact Ben Quinacman Jr., 26 Marang St., Project 2, Quezon City. He had released a diy tape compilation in 1996 featuring 5 bands from Project 2, QC such as Not For Sale, ABB, BAHO, PHILIPPINE ANARCHY, and PARENTAL GUIDANCE, the title of which is "Bargain Citizen For Sale". He also did Not For Sale zine and ran Not For Sale Distro. The scene from Novaliches, Quezon City lied low because we haven't heard any fresh info from them since and they've stopped communicating with us. They had published only one title and this is STATIC CONTROL zine but there are a couple of unreleased diy zines from their scene until now. Only one known punk band had existed there and that's PUBLIC TRASH. Encourage them to continue their underground activities, write to Romeo Dela Santa, Rd 2 #3 GSIS Village, Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City. Another scene in Metro Manila in a dormant condition is the Las Pinas City scene. Only 3 bands that we know had existed there like pop punk/melancholic band SHARON STONED which released a demo called "Zoopot", experimental weird band CHRIST COOKIES who got a demo entitled "A Little Way of Polluting the World", and the old school hatecore band known as HUMAN WASTE which released 2 demos such as "Immature Bungee Jumping" in 1996 and "What a Horrible Day" in 1997. Write them if they're still alive c/o Rogel Gluehead, 17 Ozaeta St., BFRV, Pamplona, Las Pinas City, or to Jordan Constantino, 15 Pacis St., BFRV, Las Pinas City. STATE OF SHOCK is a newly published punk zine based in Malabon c/o Marlon Luther Pasco, 71 Orange Rd., Potrero, Malabon, Metro Manila. BELOW ZERO HEROES is a ska punk band c/o Julius Lopez, 83 Adante St., Tanong, Malabon, Metro Manila. Let us gradually move to the central part of Luzon starting from the BULACAN RED FIST scene. CRITICS is an old school punk/hardcore band from Meycauayan, Bulacan. They released a diy live recording demo in 1997. The 3 members of this band are all actively supporting the scene by doing their own different stuff. One member is doing a ska/punk zine known as NEWSKASTER c/o Jerry Cruz, PO Box 51640, Meycauayan, Bulacan [think he's doing LAZY LOVES LOUSY now], while the 2 others are working on a another newsletter called RED FIST c/o Alex Castillo, Ph 3D Blk 19 Lot 10, LVSN, Meycauayan, Bulacan. MORS OMNIA SOLVIT is a death/black metal/punk/hardcore zine c/o Michael Capili, 46 Cattleya St., St. Michael Homes 3, Meycauayan, Bulacan 3020. He also does the EFFUSIO SANGUINEUS newsletter. LESSER KNOWN is a diy cut-and-paste punk zine c/o Roy Valerio, 133 Bunlo, Bocaue, Bulacan 3018. RESIST TO EXIST is a newly born punk zine done by Emman Jasmin, 243 Bintog, Plaridel, Bulacan 3004. Another legendary punk band GI & The Idiots sometimes make a surprise attack by playing on some diy gigs eventhough all the band members are very busy doing their jobs and rarely see each other to practice. They had released 2 cassette albums, 1st is "Fascinating World of Garbage" in 1986 under the Twisted Red Cross tape label and 2nd is "Technology Eats the World" in 1995 under the RECYCLED RECORDS tape label. They recorded some new materials but they need additional songs good for another one-tape album. Contact Benjie Sengson, 107 St. Francis Subd., Burol 2, Balagtas, Bulacan. WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN is a new newsletter made by Zernando Villa, 62 Virgo St., San Felipe Subd., Mojon, Malolos, Bulacan 3000. [ey it's YOU FUCKING HIPPIE now] He is also the editor of the defunct zines TEENAGE ANGER and CYBERPUNK [not to mention UNCENSORED]. AB MAGAZINE is a pro-printed black metal zine c/o Rommel Santos, Sta. Isabel, Malolos, Bulacan 3000. NOISE REFUGE formerly known as INFINITE zine is another Bulakeno punk zine done by Joab Sobrepena, Blk 35 Lot 2, Harmony Hills Subd., Muzon, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan 3023. Another zine that we know from Bulacan is DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY done by the former editor of I'M PISSED zine c/o Emmanuel Ilagan, Blk 14 Lot 16, Pleasanthills Subd., San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan 3023. MALICIOUS INTENT is the newest punk zine from the Bulacan scene c/o Michael Santos, 13 Marungko, Angat, Bulacan 3012. [ey you forgot Malolos' old school HC band T.S.A. and the semi-annual KALAMPAGAN SA BALIWAG concert series spearheaded by my drinking bud Dante and YOUTH FOR PEACE] Another struggling provincial scene is the BATAAN RURAL DECAY scene and the punk movement there started in 1994. BAD OMEN, one of early 90s' veteran punk band with melodic style of music, is currently based in Bataan because the main man of this band is a native of that province. They got a self-titled debut cassette album under their own tape label Middle Finger Productions released in 1994 while their 2nd tape album "Sell Out" was released in 1997 c/o Jon "Fishbone" Gonzales [PHILIPPINE PUNK MOVEMENT], don't know the address. [their 3rd album "They're Back" is now out] There are other active bands over there like the premiere egoi punk/HC band of Bataan NO PRESSURE c/o Lino Nuevo, 31 Malabia, Balanga, Bataan; skacore punk band SKROTHOMS c/o Jojo Santiago, 77 Sta. Rosa, Pilar, Bataan 2101; and crust HC band PUPPYS TEMERITY c/o Edgar Fernando, 255 Delos Reyes St., Townsite, Limay, Bataan. We don't know the current situation of these 3 bands if they're still active or not but we got a copy of No Pressure's 6-song reh demo, Puppys Temerity's 3-song reh demo, and one live song from Skrothoms. We are not sure also if Jojo Santiago and Edgar Fernando are the correct contact persons of Skrothoms and Puppys Temerity respectively. Only one active punk zine is prominent in Bataan and this is SABOTAGE c/o Edgar Fernando. Let's go to another active provincial scene and this is the PAMPANGA NOTORIOUS scene. They started out in 1993 (if we are not mistaken) and the most active punk band is no other than ISTUKAS OVER DISNEYLAND. They might release a tape demo soon c/o Francis Jordan David, St. Jude Vill., Blk 6 Lot 21 pH 1, San Fernando, Pampanga. This guy is also the most active scenester in Pampanga. He always makes an updated Notorious scene report, he does a punk/oi zine known as Notorious, and he recently released a newsletter called Oi Info. Another member of this band is doing a punk zine called MIDDLE CLASS c/o Gel Moreno, Blk 6 Lot 6, Greenville Subd., San Jose, San Fernando, Pampanga. The COCKTONES are a great ska band and they had finished a 4-song reh demo c/o Gene Mar Dagdag, Palawe, San Fernando, Pampanga. Newly formed punk band ROBINHOOD CREW tried to record some of their original songs but they are not satisfied with the result of the mixing of the songs c/o Jaydee Abugan, Blk 2 lot 4, Gordon St., Phase 2, St. Jude Village, San Fernando, Pampanga. He also published a punk zine called SCANNERBRAIN. RAW MEAT is the newest punk zine in Pampanga done by Nerry Navarro, 548 Jose Abad Santos St., Salapungan, Angeles City 2009. They have a skacore/ska punk band MARCOS CRONIES c/o Nerry Navarro, but we don't know if Angeles City is also a part of the Pampanga Notorious scene. Another active provincial scene from the central part of Luzon is the TARLAC EAST CENTRAL scene and their scene was formed by the 1st generation of Tarlac punks in 1987. Two movements were created there -- the REBELDE PUNK MOVEMENT and the BRAVE UNITED MUSICIANS FOR PEACE but both of them came from HIGH-MINDED CREATURES (former main movement in the Tarlac scene). They are separated only in their name but they have the same underground objectives. RED CORPSE is the oldest existing band there. They play political fast early old school HC punk. Their reh demo "Wasteland Fights Now" is out now. Contact Ron Sacueza, 65 McKinley St., Binmaley, Pangasinan 2417. He's the one who does the official diy punk/HC zine from the Tarlac scene called NOISECORE, he released a newsletter called Noisecore, and he also runs RED CORE DISTRO. ALL IN ONE is a ska/punk/HC/oi zine based in Tarlac but the contact address of the guy who made this is in Metro Manila. Write to Tyrone Canlas, 2193 E. Rodriguez St., Malibay, Pasay City 1300. He is also a member of Tarlac-based ska band SKA N' DULL. RUST is a hardcore zine based in Tarlac but the editor is currently studying in Baguio City c/o Jian Batoy, Japee Dorm, 237 A. Bonifacio St., Baguio City 2600. SUICIDE NOT DEATH plays old school-style hardcore c/o Jhun Salonga, Macabulos Drive, San Roque, Tarlac City 2300. We got a copy of the reh demo of this band given by our cool contact from the Laguna scene. SUBWAY SYSTEM is an old school-style punk/HC band c/o Toto Bugayong, Makati Ave., Dominic Subd., San Vicente, Tarlac City 2300. PUTRAGIZ is a hardcore band with a little twist of metal c/o Keeyo Sioco, C.A.T., San Miguel, Tarlac city. PROMINENCE OF POWER is an old school hardcore band but there's no available contact address. Don't you know that Pangasinan province has a newly formed but never heard scene? They started to form a movement which they called FIRST STRIKE CRUSADE. However only one active band is present there and this is BLOODSTAIN. They play kinda melodic hardcore style and they did a couple of songs but they didn't have instruments to record it. They can be found in Malasiqui, Pangasinan c/o Eric but no exact address was given. Another starting scene from the northern part of the Philippines is the BAGUIO SKATECORE scene headed by 3 bands such as BARRICADE (formerly UNITE AND FIGHT) playing intense brutal old/new school HC stuff, straight-up HC DEFIANT, and melodic ska punk NO CONTROL, but all founding scenesters there came from the Tarlac scene. For more info contact Jian Batoy of Rust zine. It's time to visit the southern part of Luzon starting with the Laguna scene. This is the strongest scene in our country and they are divided into 5 different active scenes such as the STRONG SOUTH scene, the SOUTHSIDE STRONG LOCOS scene, the Biñan scene, the Los Baños scene, and the San Pablo City scene. Let's start with San Pedro, Laguna dubbed as the Strong South scene. AGGRESSIVE DOG ATTACK is the premiere diy punk/HC band from the Strong South scene. They released a demo titled "Love and Politics" and recently a self-titled diy cassette album c/o Boi Piodos, PO Box 064, Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna 4023. He does a diy punk zine called BETLOOGS and runs a tape label called BOY BABOY PRODUCTIONS with 2 diy tape releases such as the Philippine punk/HC benefit compilation "Asal Ganid" featuring ADA, NSA, COUNTERATTACK, Red Corpse, Critics, and Lie Detector and the self-titled cassette album of his band ADA. He and his wife and some of their fellow punks in San Pedro, Laguna formed a non-violent civic direct action collective in 1997 known as DARE TO CARE and their main concern is to promote the welfare of humans, animals, and the environment by applying diy ethics to pursue their positive projects. Some of their projects that have been successfully done include a free medical mission, a party, poetry reading, leafleting of anti-McDonald's flyers, mass feeding of indigenous children, and many more. They have an official newsletter called Dare To Care. CRACKPOTS is a brutal new school HC influenced by Earth Crisis and Snapcase, and their long-overdue demo is out now c/o Cocoy Frondozo, 24 H. Belen St., Chrysanthemum Village, San Pedro, Laguna 4023. COUNTERATTACK is a fast old school heavy hardcore band and their self-titled 4-song demo is out now. The contact person of this band had migrated to Canada though. There are no available contact address of the remaining members at the moment. HONOLULU is an ultra-melodic emo-influenced punk rock band and they already have a demo out called "From Honolulu with Love" c/o Mark Redito, 34 Tirad Pass St., Pacita 1, San Pedro, Laguna 4023. He also does a ska zine called TANGO BANGO and runs a diy distro called Tango Bango Distribution with local and foreign demo tapes available from him. He also distributes all cd releases from hardcore label Smorgasbord Records, USA. KIDDIE POPS is a skacore band in the vein of Slapstick and Voodoo Glow Skulls, and maybe they're planning to record a demo soon. We just got a bootleg of 5 live songs of this band sent to us by a member c/o Richard Paguia, Blk 1 Lot 3, Olivarez Compound, Cataquiz Ave., San Pedro, Laguna 4023. He published 2 issues of UNSEEN ASSAZINE before he passed it to another editor. PLAYDEAD is an old school female-fronted punk rock band. Don't know if they have plans to release a demo in the future. Contact Isko, 20 Maharlika St. corner Malaya St., United San Pedro Subd., San Pedro, Laguna 4023. He has a diy punk zine known as STATE OF THE SCENE. Sta. Rosa, Laguna is also known as the Southside Strong Locos scene and their 1st diy gig was held on December 20, 1997 entitled "Whenever There Is...Unified". The scene is headed by the band HOMECIDE playing new school hardcore and their debut demo is coming soon c/o Howell Casacop, B3 L35, Ambrocia Village, Sta. Rosa, Laguna 4026. He is the editor of the official hardcore zine of the Southside Strong Locos scene known as RESPIRE and he also does the SOUTHSIDE UPDATE hardcore newsletter; and his latest project, with the help of his girlfriend, is a diy distro also known as Southside Distro. GROUND ZERO is a Sta. Rosa, Laguna-based metallic hardcore band and they recorded 2 of their songs c/o Lando, Blk 36 lot 2 pH 5, Puerto Princesa St., South City Homes, Biñan, Laguna 4024. PROGRESSION is a brutal deathcore band and they're still working on additional materials to be included in their debut demo c/o Khim Mariquit, Blk 36 Lot 16, San Lorenzo South, Sta. Rosa, Laguna 4026. LIKHANG KARIMLAN PROMOTIONS is a tape label dedicated to release dark/death/black metal stuff. They released 2 demos of 2 different local bands such as KAMBANG's "Visitation East Hangin'" demo '98 playing avant garde oriental melancholic music, and EBWA's "Savagery of Bawo" demo '98 with 3 trax of savagely dark music. Likhang Karimlan c/o Ernan Katindig, 281 P. Vallejo St., Sta. Rosa, Laguna 4026. The Biñan, Laguna scene is composed of a few active hardcore bands such as holy terror 8 OZ. which recently released a 4-song demo and they are also planning to release a full-length album c/o Gee-Jay, 980 Balintawak St., San Antonio, Biñan, Laguna; groove-oriented brutal hardcore band with a dose of metal CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED whose demo is still in the making c/o William Rimerata, 21 Sto. Niño St., San Pedro, Laguna 4023; and a rapcore band BLOODLINE who are also working on their demo c/o Ian Ridad, Blk 30 Lot 5, Golden City Subd., Canlalay, Biñan, Laguna 4024. KEROZINE is the only HC zine from Biñan, Laguna done by Rommel Buhay, 1767 Gen. Malvar St., San Vicente, Biñan, Laguna 4024. Ebwa is also based in this town c/o Boyet Molina, 1265 Jimenez St., San Antonio, Biñan, Laguna 4024. He also released a death/black metal zine titled NECROMANCY. The Los Baños, Laguna scene is not so active and only 3 bands that we know are existing there: punk ska band OVERFED c/o Jerico Florido (c/o Levi Florido), Ecosystems Research & Development Bureau, Forestry, College, Laguna 4031; ska punk band SPUNKY (no available address); and rapcore band SHAVE (no available address too). Only one diy punk zine is present there called MUTUAL AID c/o Rangel Lanuza, 2082 Bauhinia St., Pleasant Village, College, Laguna 4031; and also a diy feminist zine called SAPLING THOUGHTS c/o Karen Ison, 3239 National Road, Anos, Los Baños, Laguna. The last active scene from the Laguna province is the San Pablo City scene. They have a group there called 7 LAKES CITY WIMPS COLLECTIVE. THINLINE plays post-hardcore stuff c/o Agee Linan, Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Pablo City 4000. He also does THOUGHT MARKET, the one and only diy zine from the San Pablo City scene. BALANCE, the leading hc band from San Pablo City, is in hiatus but there are talks they will reform in the near future c/o Ebong Linan, Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Pablo City 4000. Other visible bands are old school skate punk band PLAY, fast-paced pop punk VILLAGE IDIOTS (a split demo with another band is on the table), nyhc-style hardcore LIFE IS SHORT, ska punksters SPENCER AND WOWIE, pop punk INCHES AWAY, emo kids BROKEN FRAME (their demo will be out soon), and positive new school hardcore AUTUMN WILLOW. Another provincial scene located at the west side of Laguna is the Cavite scene and their fave activity is sk8boarding. XFEUDX is definitely a straightedge hardcore band. Their 1st demo should be out soon. Some of their materials will be included in an international sxe compilation to be released by foreign labels on tape and cd format. Contact Michael Nuestro, 19 Sunday St., Addas Village 1, San Nicolas, Bacoor, Cavite 4102. He does a sxe zine known as STEP FORWARD and a newsletter XPOSITIVEX. CHOCNUT TROUBLE is the only melodic ska punk band in Cavite. HOLLYWOOD is an ultra-wrestling melodic punk rock band. Chocnut Trouble/Hollywood split demo is out now c/o Darwin Dacanay, 15 Sunday St., Addas Village 1, Bacoor, Cavite 4102. He also does a diy hc/punk comics zine PEPITO'S WORLD. Another province located at the southwestern part of Luzon is Batangas. Only one scene supporter is present there and doing his own diy projects such as his OUTFACE zine and diy compilation tapes. He became inactive at the moment but somebody told us that he will be back soon. Contact Kenneth Azucena, Talaga Proper, Mabini, Batangas 4202. Okay let's go to the province far from Manila where real communist armed rebels, the New People's Army [of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front], are thriving and this is Quezon Province. The most active scene in Quezon Province is in Lucena City also known as the FAR SOUTH RESISTANCE scene. Other isolated Quezon Province scenes where a few punk individuals, bands, zine editors, and distros can be found is in the municipalities of Pagbilao, Tayabas, Lucban, Atimonan, Calauang, Sariaya, and Gumaca. Let's describe first the scene in Lucena City. Their scene came into existence in 1995 but most founding bands like hc/punks ALAHADUPAKS, riot grrl band UOM, melodic punks IDIOTIC APPROACH, and ska band WITCHCRAFT are no longer playing but all of them managed to release their own demos before the bands disbanded like Alahadupaks' "3rd World Contamination" in 1995, Uom's "Dirt in the Footfinger Nails and Smells Rot" in 1996, Idiotic Approach's "Evolution of the Idiots", and the unreleased demo of Witchcraft "Never Land". These 4 diy bands had also released their own diy compilation in which all of them are included called "We...the Generation...the Teenage Rebels" in 1996. So here's the 2nd generation of diy bands from the Far South Resistance scene: ANTIPATHY are playing Swedish-style raw hc and their debut demo is probably out now. The 4 members of this band are all zinemakers. 1st is EX POST FACTO zine done by Erickson Acyatan, 113 Jasmin St., New Lucena Subd., Lucena City 4301. He also does the ANGER CONTROL newsletter. 2nd is BLOCKHEAD zine edited be Peckel John Calvelo, Sapphire St., Phase 2, Pleasantville Subd., Lucena City 4301. 3rd is BLOT zine published by Ruel Ayapane, 9 Daet St., Peninsula Homes, Pagbilao, Quezon 4302. He also does the DUMBLUCK newsletter. And 4th is the short-lived SLUGHEAD zine made by Ricson Pena, 1720 Acacia St., Campo Subd., Gulang-Gulang, Lucena City 4301. By the way, special thanks to Peckel and Erickson for being our secondary sponsors during our wedding day. These 2 guys also run 3RD WORLD DISTRO and they have several diy dubbed tapes to offer. BYPASS plays straight-forward hc/punk and their demo should be also out now c/o Gaddy Rejano, 36-B Sacred Heart Subd., Lucena City 4301. He does a zine called RIOT TANGENGOTS. CATALEPSIS is brutal grindmincesludgecore c/o Aaron Ranas, 143 Azucena St., Zaballero Subd., Lucena City 4301. He's currently doing a death metal zine called SACTORIUM. SENTENSYA is the 1st and only death metal band in Lucena City and they had released a diy demo in 1996 called "Pit of Oblivion" c/o Oliver Lopez, 70 Quezon Ave., Lucena City 4301. Other diy bands from Lucena City are the following: ANTIC (industrial/gothic techno), ACT OF LUNACY (old school hc/punk style), MALTREATMENT (mid 80s punk style), STRAY DAWGS (pop/ska punk rock), SUBTERRANEAN REBELS (punk/hc), DESTRUCTION OF GARBAGE (punk), BANANAS ROTTEN (punk/ska), and ASSROT (mixed style). The town of Pagbilao, Quezon was also invaded by a couple of diy bands and one of them is UNFORCE playing old school hardcore. Their debut demo is out now c/o Neil Hernandez, 16 Gen. Luna St., Pagbilao, Quezon. He managed to publish simultaneously a couple of zines like EARTH TRASH, HUMAN EXISTENCE, and ASIAN CORE; and he also runs LUSTILY DISTRO distributing some local and foreign zines and other stuff. SAYOTE AND MUSTAKA is a ska band complete with horn and trumpet sections and they have a live demo out now c/o Jericho Mercurio, Brgy. Mahayhay, Pagbilao, Quezon 4302. CLAUSTROPHOBIA are playing punk/hc type of music c/o Walter Loresto, Peninsula Homes, Pagbilao, Quezon 4302. Okay let's go to our homebase Tayabas, Quezon. Of course the most active scenesters here are no other than yours truly Gani & Adie (a.k.a. The Lovebirds). We are the makers of the one and only punk zine for animal awareness in the Philippines known as Make Your Own zine. We run a diy distro also known as Make Your Own Distro with several local and foreign cds, vinyls, tapes, demos, zines, newsletters, pamphlets, and pins available from us; and our newest diy project is called the BANAHAW newsletter. Punk/hc bands do not exist in our town but a couple of punk kids are present here and sometimes they visit us in out hideout to buy some stuff from our distro. Lucban, Quezon has only one punk group and this is ABANDONED YOUTH c/o Jhaller, 51 C. Arellano St., Lucban, Quezon 4328. Their 1st gig happened on May 15, 1996 with some guest bands from Manila and Lucena City. In Atimonan, Quezon there's only one band that's currently existing there playing an indie punk type of music. No band's name was given but try to contact Melo Avellanosa, 1324 Zamora St., Atimonan, Quezon 4331. On December 28, 1994 some punk bands from Manila like Good For Nothing, CANTOOTS, Bad Omen, and Laguna's BIOFEEDBACK invaded an isolated island between Luzon and Mindoro, and this is the province of Marinduque. Those visiting bands were invited to play in a diy gig organized by Marinduque scenesters entitled "Underground Invasion, Save The Earth Rock Concert" held in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque together with other Marinduque-based bands like PRIVATE ARMY, HOME, ITIT, and QUIVIT. After that gig no more news and info were heard from their scene since but there's a fairly reliable info that some punk bands are still existing there. Sorry, no available contact person. After Quezon province and Marinduque province, let's move to the southeastern extension of Luzon and this is the Bicol Region. AGREE TO DIFFER is the only punk zine there c/o Mike Cepe, 88 Crisolita St., San Nicolas, Iriga City 4431. DARKNESS MY PARAMOUR is a death/black metal zine c/o Edward Banez, Bes St., Bacacay, Albay 4509. He also runs CRUELTY ART DISTRIBUTION with plenty of foreign dark/death/black/doom metal cds, bootleg tapes, and some local and foreign zines available from him. Okay we are through with the island of Luzon, let's travel to the Visayas group of islands. Metro Cebu is the most active existing scene in the Visayas. They have a punk tape label there known as STRUGGLE FOR RADICAL ACTION releasing professionally printed full-color cassette albums of punk bands from Cebu and their 1st release is a compilation of punk/hc bands from Cebu entitled "Tragedy 1081" released in 1996. Most bands in Cebu are playing basic old school punk, ska punk, or melodic punk. Some of them include LEFT OF CENTER, a melodic ska punk band with one tape album called "Crisis Redefined" c/o Franklord Suico, 521 A. Cortes Ave., Mandaue City, Cebu; SHRAPNEL, a basic punk band which also released a tape album called "First Volley of Fire" c/o Edwin Carson, 510 Plazaville, Gate 2, Busay, Cebu City 6000; and HARD FECES, a sing-along upbeat punk band who released a tape album called "Warson", don't know their contact address. All tape albums of these bands were released by the RSA tape label. There's one active punk/hc zine in Cebu and this is REASONS FOR LIVING down by Erwin Carson of Shrapnel. We have sent several letters to different scenesters in Cebu, unfortunately we didn't get any reply from them not even one. It seems that punks and hardcores there are not interested to communicate with punks from Luzon. How can we help promote your scene if you don't send us any fresh info about your scene? In Bohol province, another island at the right side of Cebu island, one guy is interested to support the scene by doing a zine called FEDUPCOWBOYSKILL tackling the issues on politics, religion, and culture c/o Glen Rey M. Agad, Guinob-an, Sevilla, Bohol 6347. Negros island, another part of the Visayas located at the left side of Cebu island, is divided into Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. The most diabolical scenester can be found at the western part of Negros and he is Brian Zamora, 21 Emerald St., San Eusebio Subd., Cadiz City, Negros Occidental 6121. He's actively supporting the black/death metal scene by doing several projects like the black metal zine CLAIRVOYANT, brutal death/grind band ZAMORA with one demo out called "Vandal sa Pader" released in 1994, ritual horror ambient band OBSCURTO also with one demo out called "Obsequis Concerto" released in 1997, and black metal band KRATORNAS with 2 demos out: 1st is "Enorht Eht Nihtiw Si Taog Eht" released in 1997 and 2nd is "The Onslaught of Battle Demons" released in 1999. He also runs LIGUM DULUM PRODUCTIONS distroing several foreign black/death metal cds, vinyls, and cassettes with updated full-size catalog. He also released a 60-min. international death/black/doom metal compilation in chrome cassette entitled "Horrific Serenades". Another city in Negros Occidental is Bacolod City. This is the hometown of FOOD, SHELTER AND CLOTHING, an experimental post-punk driven hyper-industrial techno terror band. They released several demo albums available in chrome tape thru Bong Tan, DIY Tapes Ltd., PO Box 543, Bacolod City 6100. Leyte is another part of the Visayas group of islands. One band was formed there on July 14, 1993 known as CRESCENT MOON playing simple traditional death metal c/o Geranthrax Jorge, 1007 San Roque, Tanauan, Leyte 6502. These are the only scenes that we know in Visayas. Let us transfer to the biggest island in the Philippines and this is Mindanao. The least existent scene in Mindanao is located in Davao Del Norte formed in 1997. Only one diy hardcore band existed in the Davao Del Norte scene and this is SANTILMO c/o Edmund Cole, 3428 Mirafuentes Subd., Tagum, Davao Del Norte 8100. They had published a punk zine called SUSPENDER and the SPEAK IT LOUD newsletter c/o Lemuel Camana, Tigbao, Maragusan, Davao Del Norte 8116. The most active scene in Mindanao is located in Davao City and their movement started in 1995 in which their 1st diy gig happened on May 12, 1995. They have several bands, zines, and newsletters from their scene and they call their scene REBEL TRIBE. EI & THE JINX is an old school-influenced drunk punk band with one demo out called "Assassination" released in 1998 c/o Jonathan Cena of BLACKSHEEP/EXPLOITED zine. OUTRAGE (now disbanded) plays hc, oi, ska/punk music. They also released a demo called "Memory of Anarchy" c/o James Carl Nuevo of Rebel Tribe zine. POINT OF NO RETURN is a hc/crust band and their self-titled demo was released in 1999 c/o James Carl Nuevo. BORED GENERATION plays '77-style melodic punk rock and they released a demo called "Born to be Rebels" c/o Lander Bordos of DEMOLITION zine. Other active bands are pioneer punk band MINOR ENTRY which plays '77-style punk rock, STUPID EGGPIE is a drunk as fuck band, BESIEGE is a melodic punk band with female vox, ODDITIES is a new school hc band, AVENGERS plays ska fun punk, LAMENT is another pioneering punk band playing '77-style punk rock, and HEMORRHOIDS is a hc/brutal crust band. DIY newsletters and zines are also abundant in Davao City scene. These are DOGMA zine and RANCOR newsletter c/o Babo Pastoral, 983 Trading St., Davao City 8000; RESIST zine c/o Barok Capito, Joy St., Don Julian Vill., Davao City; Rebel Tribe zine and ANARCHONFIDENCE newsletter c/o James Carl Nuevo, 110-O Artiaga St., Davao City 8000; EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED zine c/o Erwin Jinx, Azucena St., Kadyawan Homes, Phase 2, Eagle St., Maa, Davao City 8000; DESTROYED zine c/o Tamayo R, Maa, Davao City 8000 (in front of Las Terazas); Blacksheep zine and Exploited zine c/o Jonathan Cena, Golden Homes, Mamay Rd., Lot 23, Damosa, Lanang, Davao City 8000; ANTI-SOCIAL zine and PUNK SQUAT newsletter c/o Dennis Dollete, 30-14 Lizada St., Davao City; and also WATCHDOG zine c/o Loius John Basan, Purok 7, St. Jude Vill., Daliao Toril, Davao City 8000. Another part of Mindanao island is Cagayan De Oro. Another lone scenester is present there and he does the artistic, hellish, and anti-Christian DARKWORKS ARTZINE c/o Ronel Ferrolino, Tejero Subd., Patag Cagayan De Oro City. This is the end of our all out Philippine underground scene report. As we've mentioned earlier, the information here is not complete. If you think you are actively supporting the diy scene but we did not include here the names of your bands, zines, distros, newsletters, and scene, don't hesitate to contact us and give us any helpful information about your current diy activities. 80% of the contact people here are regular and irregular networking partners of the MYO crew. If you haven't tried yet to contact us before, write us because we are actively supporting the underground networking activities. If you have also noticed, foreign readers, we did not mention any local punk/hc vinyl or cd releases here. Vinyl is obsolete here and pressing plants do not exist here anymore. CD releases under major capitalist labels are widespread but no affordable diy label is available to punks/hcs to press cd releases of any Philippine underground bands. DIY bands here can not afford to produce their materials on cd thru their own expenses. The main and popular format here for the diy punk/hc/ska/death/black metal scene is the cassette tape, usually dubbed and diy-made. Bands' demos are sprouting everywhere and most punk/hc bands record their materials on portable cassette players because they can not afford the expenses to record it in a well-equipped studio. The dubbed tape-to-dubbed tape trading system is rampant here. This is the cheapest way for our poor local punks/hcs to hear foreign punk/hc music without sending plenty of dollar$ to foreign labels and distros just to hear their favorite punk/hc records. This is the real 3rd world underground scene. We definitely need the support of foreign scenes for the advancement of our poor scene. And hey MYO zine and distro supporters, don't be surprised if we tell you that we are planning to stop permanently the making of MYO zine (but it's still under discussion with the MYO crew). We just got married and still in the process of adjustment for this new stage of life. Please don't send interviews anymore til further notice is given to you. We have problems with regard to the making of our MYO zine but we can not give you the exact details for personal reasons. On the other hand we would like to assure you that we will never stop our MYO distro, tape and zine trading, newsletter-making, and networking activities. Thank you very much for the years of non-stop support you've extended to Make Your Own zine. It's time to sign off. Please contact us at the following address: MYO Zine & Distro c/o Gani & Adie, 146 A. Dela Cruz St., Tayabas, Quezon 4327, Philippines.

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