Olay Yapanit Winning the first ever Eat Bulaga’s Eat Rocks Christmas Jam to the Max
Photo by: Olay Yapanit’s Facebook Account
Reggae Music – jivin’ up to its cool beats and easy music, mostly reminds us of summertime. But there’s more to reggae than summer, ‘coz this music genre’s gonna stay all year long.
When you hear the word “reggae” or when you hear reggae music, who’s the local Lucenahin band that first comes to your mind? None other than Olay Yapanit, right? From winning the Edge Fest 2007, a battle of the band, hosted and produced by a local FM radio station here in Lucena, to being the Grand Champion of Eat Bulaga’s Eat Rocks Christmas Jam to the Max last December 2012, this band sure has long way to go.
And for Lucenahins to get more acquainted with them, we’ve made a short interview with one of Olay Yapanit’s band vocalists, Roldan “Uyay” Tabernilla. Here it goes:
Could you give us a brief introduction about your band? Your history and how you came up with your band’s name.
The band Olay Yapanit started way back 2007, here in Lucena City. The original members decided to form a band that is different from the emerging rock bands in Lucena that’s why they took the risk and decided to move in the reggae genre of music.
Like others, you might also be wondering “Where in the world did this band got their name?” Well, OLAY is a local word that means to tease or teasing and YAPANIT is the reversed spelling for the Tagalog word “tinapay” (bread) for the simplest reason that each band member loves bread. This is how we got our name.
Our first single entitled “Musika”, composed by our drummer, Rolando Javierto, Jr., expresses how we met each other, and because of our passion to play and create music, our band was formed so that our hidden talents will be enhanced and maximized, not only for our own interests, but also for the benefit of all the music lovers out there.
Our band’s current members are:
Aldrin Caperenas and Roldan J. Tabernilla (Vocalists)
Jayson Labao (Guitarist)
Jayron Robedillo (Bassist)
Arnel Monserat (Keyboardist)
Johnry Britanico (2nd keys)
Rolando Javieto Jr. (Drummer)
Hajie Asuncion (trumpet)
Eroll Brizuela (Trombonist)
Some of us are not part of the pioneering members of Olay, other members have left the band owing to personal reasons, but still we’re here and we’ll continue on playing and making music as long as we can.
Who are your musical influences? Are there any particular songs that became your inspiration?
Some of our inspirations and musical influences are Bob Marley, Inner Circle, UB40, Music Youth, Big Mountain, Clint Eastwood & General Saint, The Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire, New Wave songs, Rivermaya, Apo Hiking Society (APO), Orange and Lemons, Bloomfields, Updharmadown, Sugarfree, Hemp Republic, Radio Active Sago Project, Tropical Depression and a lot more… Basta’t ‘di pa rin mawawala sa’tin ang touch of OPM. Proudly Pinoy!
What can you say about the reggae scene today in Lucena City?
Kahit papano dumadami na rin kami, hehehe. Especially sa mga music lovers, sinasama na rin nila sa mga playlist ang mga reggae songs. Kadalasan kasi dito sa Lucena pulos rock, punk and/or even hard core types ng music ang trip nila, wala naman problema dun… no discrimination naman ika nga ang reggae scene today, madami na rin namang tumatangkilik sa genre na yun so fa.r.. and as long nabubuhay pa kami, patuloy pa rin naming bubuhayin ang Reggae Music dito sa Lucena.
Can you tell us a bit about your first experience playing on live TV?
It was a great experience nung sumali kami sa mga TV shows. Our first live experience was in IT’s Showtime (ABS-CBN). Kahit ‘di namin nakuha yung title, marami pa ring sumuporta samin at nagmahal… Proud pa rin sa’min ang mga Lucenahin, hihihi…
After being chosen as the Grand Winner of Eat Bulaga’s Eat Rocks Christmas Jam to the Max last December 2012, could you share with us your thoughts regarding the level of “success” of your band today?
Super happy, proud and blessed.. dahil sa sobrang daming magagaling na sumali sa programa na yun.. kami ang napili for the first Grand Winner Eat Bulaga’s Rocks Christmas Jam to the Max.. although maraming bumabatikos sa pagkapanalo namin.. (heheh) still strong pa rin ang grupo namin.. kahit ano pang sabihin nila.
What should your fans expect from your band?
We have an upcoming album, sana abangan nila.. Out of town gigs and productions.. Mga fansigns, hehehe (dami na eh)
Any message to the Lucenahins?
To all Lucenahins.. thank you for all the support! For believing.. God bless! We will do the very best to make you proud of us!
JAH! RASTAFARI!!! – Olay Yapanit
If you want to know them more and get updates regarding their gig schedules, or you might want to invite them to perform for an event, simply view and like their official facebook fan page. Who knows, one of them might even give you a fansign. Right, mga ka-bread? 😉
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