To ‘Noypi’ goes my vote as the most nationalistic song

With our country’s 116th anniversary of Independence Day last June 12, 2014, what could be a more fitting way from my end to celebrate this national holiday for us Filipinos than to remember a song that for me truly embodies the essence of Pinoy pride !

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Members of the now defunct Bamboo, one of the greatest Filipino bands of all time. From left; Vic Mercado, Bamboo Manalac, Nathan Azarcon and Ira Cruz. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/www.myxph.com

“Noypi” by Bamboo

Why this song matters—When “Noypi” began circulating in the local market sometime in 2003, it literally “shook” the state of the local scene which had remained stuck in the whole acoustic movement of the very early 2000’s. Music-wise, things seemed to be in a stalemate and almost everyone was hooked to acoustic music that the “rocker” in me was just screaming for the landscape to change somehow, someway!

For us music aficionados in our late teens then, our prayers were soon answered when a band called Bamboo was formed and EMI Philippines released their major label debut back in 2004.

“Noypi” was the lead single taken from their first album “As The Music Plays”.

What an amazing album that was, indeed!

Had it not been for this song, “Noypi”, I believe that in all likelihood acoustic music would have continued dominating the airwaves and receiving major exposure in television for a few years more.

The comeback of Bamboo Mañalac from his stay in the States really kick-started Pinoy Rock to its full power and reinvigorated it back into the consciousness of music aficionados!

I always felt that Mañalac’s return was the integral piece that was lost in the 90’s “Pinoy Rock Boom!” and eventually found its way back home which finally completed the whole puzzle again.

Mañalac was like a “music prophet” and he was for me the leader of the whole movement in the early to late 2000’s!

But obviously, his successful re-emergence would not have been possible had he not been surrounded and supported by other talented and gifted musicians like his former Rivermaya bandmate Nathan Azarcon. And they— Mañalac and Nathan Azarcon, together with Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado—all four of them became the band “Bamboo.”

“Noypi” was Bamboo’s banner song…indeed, it symbolized the triumphant return of Pinoy Rock. And even more than just a song, it became the anthem that reawakened our love for country!

Each time I hear “Noypi” being played on the radio or I get to watch its music video, in my mind’s eye, I see vividly our Philippine flag waving proudly high up in the air. “Noypi” is more than just a mega-hit–it is a timeless piece of OPM–this has become possible only because one feels in that song how truly proud the members of Bamboo are to be Filipino and that love for country is immediately rekindled in those who get to listen to “Noypi”!

The song “Noypi” has stood the test of time. While it ushered in the movement with other local bands jumping in on the bandwagon of singing songs of uniquely Pinoy sensibilities, “Noypi” sounded genuine, authentic, and true. And this is because the members of Bamboo rang true to themselves.

And I know this first hand because I have the privilege of calling Nathan Azarcon as my friend. And let me tell you, until this very day he is as nationalistic as he was back then. In fact, I can say he is one of the most nationalistic persons I have had the good fortune of knowing. Everything from his Filipino values, his vast knowledge of our rich history, his mastery of different forms of Filipino martial arts, Nathan Azarcon is a proud Pinoy to the core!

He deserves all the credit because although Mañalac was the frontman of the band, I truly believe that Nathan Azarcon was the “engine” that had kept the band Bamboo going forward!

“Noypi” may already be 10 years old but since when does a timeless song become old?

It never does.

My “hat goes off” to the then members of Bamboo for changing forever the landscape of OPM!