We claimed it as the first all cadet song record of the Philippine Military Academy. The album contains 16 tracks of traditional PMA cadet songs. The songs depict real life of cadets apart from what the public sees. Contrary to popular belief, the life of a cadet is not just about parades and drills. Much of the time of each cadet is devoted to academics, followership and leadership, sports, and social graces. These are the activities that would educate and train a cadet of basic military skills and educate them of character essential to a successful pursuit of a progressive military career. As a former cadet, parades and ceremonies are culminations of the discipline, obedience, leadership, etc.
The purpose (Why)
In one of the cadet noon mess, i asked the Baron to give me a chance to introduce the project to the corps (more than 900 cadets) and ask for financial support. For P325 contribution from each cadet, they would be part of an instructional audio record and once in a lifetime project. They will in turn get a casette tape and a compact disc (high tech during my time) upon the success of the project. The concept was immediately approved by the corps and each cadet committed to contribute the needed amount, deductable from their CISA.
I also had the support of the PMA Brass Band, one of their key NCO SSgt Jess Diaz (now an Army Officer), supported my idea. Fortunately, Jess is a musical genius. He can compose, arrange, sing, play piano and other musical instruments, and most especially willing to be part of the project: perfect for my project.
Everyday, after study period, our core group conducts workshops: the longest series of workshops i have ever been into. From passed-on lyrics and melody of the traditional cadet songs (except the PMA Alma Matter Song and Kaydet Girl) we learned to apply standard tempo, melody and arrangements and validate the lyrics from cadets and officers. Much of the troubles came from various versions from one cadet to another. I actually could not perfectly remember how we were able to harmonize everything. After months of workshops, we finaly have a line up of songs, the eight Company Songs from Alpha to Hawk, The PMA Alma Matter Song, the Kadet Girl, The Plebe Song, the Farewell Song, the Christmas Song Magmula Ngayon (composed by Cav Conrad Pena 97), The Corps Birthday Song (composed by my classmate Neil Hilario), Rolling Homes, and etc.
Another blessing was the chance of having the best musicians in the history of cadet corps. We got Tutti Caringal for the drums (later became the drummer of popular band 6Cycle Band), Don Balduman and Ted Cerezo for the Guitar, Brix Dumanig for Bass, Armand Pontejos for Violin, Jess Diaz on keyboard, etc.
Complementing the group were the best singers the cadet corps has ever had, Fred Sabobo, Espi Pretilla, and the members the Cadet Choir and Glee Club.
The members of the group were not just talendted, they were phenomenal! During its recording at Greenhill sound, the recording engineer Rick Meneses was actually amazed how we were able to record the 16 songs in just two days: the accompaniment on the first day and the vocals on the second day. I feel like everyone felt we were really part of womething bigger than ourselves, the good leadership my classmates, and most especially the friendship and cammaraderie.
My roommate Tan Tan Costales made the album layout. Ashley Acedillo did the research of each songs but the time was too short to complete everything.
In 1997, (on my junior year), I envisioned that a project like this would free the members of the cadet choir in devoting precious time teaching PMA songs to the members of the new cadet battalion. I presented it to my Cadet in Charge (my senior counterpart), he told me it was a very good idea, but he told me that the hectic schedule of the cadets and the talents we have were not enough to launch something like this. He was actually right: at the height of the preparation of this project, my acadmics suffered a lot because at least 20 percent of my day was devoted to it, hence i had to give up good academic ranking. My OIC, Lt Orbille Piol, upon seeing my challenges advised me to stop the project because i was in the brink of losing my cadetship. He was actually right. However, since i have commited to this project, i felt i would frustrate my classmates and underclassmen who believe that i can finish whatever i have started.
From an envisioned institutional project, i took it personally. I was challenged to pursue the project along with the challenging academic requirements. I was advised that academic ranking can help me become more competitive after i graduate. However, i chose to balance academic and leading this group as a significant part of my leadership training. The leadership opportunities in pursuing this unprecedented project of the academy is a great experience foer me. I took the challenge and with the support of my class and underclassmen, my OIC, the project was a success. It was even launched to the Commander in Chief on 28 March 1999.
The How
When we became ruling class (First Class Cadet), i started encouraging cadets who are enthusiastic about music to join the cadet choir where i was the Cadet in Charge (CIC). All of them were excited about the concept as i explained it. I was fortunate that most of my classmates supported my concept. That support transcends to scouting good singers and musicians from their company. In one of my weekend leave, i went down to Manila to ask experts how to do it. A musical engineer at Greenhills sound taught me everything a and gave me a ball park figure of Php 325,000.
In one of the cadet noon mess, i asked the Baron to give me a chance to introduce the project to the corps (more than 900 cadets) and ask for financial support. For P325 contribution from each cadet, they would be part of an instructional audio record and once in a lifetime project. They will in turn get a casette tape and a compact disc (high tech during my time) upon the success of the project. The concept was immediately approved by the corps and each cadet committed to contribute the needed amount, deductable from their CISA.
I also had the support of the PMA Brass Band, one of their key NCO SSgt Jess Diaz (now an Army Officer), supported my idea. Fortunately, Jess is a musical genius. He can compose, arrange, sing, play piano and other musical instruments, and most especially willing to be part of the project: perfect for my project.
Everyday, after study period, our core group conducts workshops: the longest series of workshops i have ever been into. From passed-on lyrics and melody of the traditional cadet songs (except the PMA Alma Matter Song and Kaydet Girl) we learned to apply standard tempo, melody and arrangements and validate the lyrics from cadets and officers. Much of the troubles came from various versions from one cadet to another. I actually could not perfectly remember how we were able to harmonize everything. After months of workshops, we finaly have a line up of songs, the eight Company Songs from Alpha to Hawk, The PMA Alma Matter Song, the Kadet Girl, The Plebe Song, the Farewell Song, the Christmas Song Magmula Ngayon (composed by Cav Conrad Pena 97), The Corps Birthday Song (composed by my classmate Neil Hilario), Rolling Homes, and etc.
Another blessing was the chance of having the best musicians in the history of cadet corps. We got Tutti Caringal for the drums (later became the drummer of popular band 6Cycle Band), Don Balduman and Ted Cerezo for the Guitar, Brix Dumanig for Bass, Armand Pontejos for Violin, Jess Diaz on keyboard, etc.
Complementing the group were the best singers the cadet corps has ever had, Fred Sabobo, Espi Pretilla, and the members the Cadet Choir and Glee Club.
The members of the group were not just talendted, they were phenomenal! During its recording at Greenhill sound, the recording engineer Rick Meneses was actually amazed how we were able to record the 16 songs in just two days: the accompaniment on the first day and the vocals on the second day. I feel like everyone felt we were really part of womething bigger than ourselves, the good leadership my classmates, and most especially the friendship and cammaraderie.
My roommate Tan Tan Costales made the album layout. Ashley Acedillo did the research of each songs but the time was too short to complete everything.
Personally, the project taught us how to become efficient, dedicated and at the same time happy with what we do.
At the start, i thought this project is unrealizable because of the time requirements and lack of materials. However, the experience of actually moving a mountain is priceless. It is the group's dedication and talents ofcourse that propelled the successful completion of the project. Finally, nothing can replace a genuine leadership and friendship.
The album was selling so good in the next five years. i was informed that the proceeds goes to the Cadet Choir and Glee Club.
Now that the CD is not popular anymore, the songs are being passed-on from one cadet/PMAer to another through various means.
Golden Lessons
One of the most valuable lessons I have gained from embarking on this project is a principle that I have learned from Nietzsche: "He who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW" This principle has been the guiding force in my life up until this point.
Copyright?
Most of the people i talked with asked if the album have copyright. The answer is a simple no. The intent of the project has been successfully delivered (as instructional CD to the new cadets). Further, while we were doing the research, i was advised that most of the songs were traditional songs from different sources, and having it copyrighted
Accomplishments
At the start, i thought this project is unrealizable because of the time requirements and lack of materials. However, the experience of actually moving a mountain is priceless. It is the group's dedication and talents ofcourse that propelled the successful completion of the project. Finally, nothing can replace a genuine leadership and friendship.
This album is just an instructional audio, particularly for new cadets. Its quality may not level to commercially available records.
ReplyDeleteWhere can we get the CD?
ReplyDeleteSir, i was told that it is still being sold at the souvenir shop at PMA. I will confirm this from my classmates who are assigned there.
Delete