There is just something primal in singing the following lyrics at the top of your voice with a raised fist:
Laklakin mo hanggang gusto mo
Wala namang pumipigil sa ‘yo.
Dikdikin mo sige. Tapakan mo.
Ubusin mo hanggang sa ika’y maging bato.
Kagatin mo. ‘Wag mong lubayan.
Bugbugin mo. Durugin mo
Laklakin mo sige. Laklakin mo
Ubusin mo hanggang sa ika’y maging bato.
May 26. At the Tiendesitas. Mike Hanopol, Wally Gonzales, and Joey “Pepe” Smith. The power trio of gods of Pinoy Rock better known as the Juan Dela Cruz band rock and rolled and took away my blues.
Rewind years and years and several more years and my friends and I were bobbing our long haired heads up and down to this kanto anthem.
Fast forward 35 or so years and I’m now mourning the death of my wife. And the song is suddenly about my pain, my loss, my anguish. And I found myself shouting it out, bringing it to fore and offering it to the gods of pinoy rock and roll. Ubusin mo hanggang sa ika’y maging bato!
That felt good. Endorphins or alcohol or rage or anger or all of the above. That felt good. Truly good.
(Photo courtesy of Pat Te Seng)