Eric Gancio Performing "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo"

 

Eric Gancio of Yano Performing "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo"

1993. First year college. Sa harap ni Oble.

They have yet to conquer the Philippine airwaves and were thus unknown to our college crowd. As they started performing, hecklers shouted "Tatlo lang sila? Ano yan, Nirvanang walang drums?!"

Doubts abruptly vanished that cold Baguio City evening as they rocked us with "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo", "Esem", "Tsinelas", "State U", “Kumusta Na?”(EDSA revolution). We were hearing Yano for the very first time!

Earlier that year, the Eraserheads broke through Philippine music.

So in one or two years -- two bands coming from the same university defined our college generation's music. The first band united us and validated our common Pinoy experiences with the melodies of "Ligaya", "Pare Ko", "Toyang", and “Shirley”; while the second brought to our consciousness the Philippine socio-political quagmire. I was even challenged and warned as a young born-again Christian -- mahalin ang bayan at ang Diyos ng hindi sa salita lamang para hindi maging katawa-tawang banal na aso.

We were able to watch the Eraserheads reunion concert live years ago. I wonder if there is a future for a Yano with Dong Abay.