Think of Filipino music as a vast, ancient tree with roots that run deep into our indigenous past. While many modern bands have climbed high into the contemporary branches, leaving those roots behind, the band we’re featuring in this article chose a different path entirely.
They became the bridge between the roots and the canopy—nurturing the ancient while reaching toward the sky. This isn't just another OPM band story; this is about a group that's been quietly revolutionizing Filipino music by weaving ancient traditions into modern tapestries for over three decades.
Who is Ang Grupong Pendong?
Allow to us paint you a picture. Imagine the raw energy of rock music fused with the soulful, ancient sounds of indigenous Filipino instruments like the kulintang, gangsa, and agong. That's Ang Grupong Pendong in a nutshell—a band that plays music as they preserve and celebrate our rich cultural heritage while making it accessible to modern ears.
Formed in 1990, Ang Grupong Pendong learned to play different indigenous instruments by integrating with various indigenous communities across the Philippines. This wasn't just a marketing gimmick or a superficial attempt at cultural fusion. These musicians actually lived with and learned from the very communities whose musical traditions they sought to honor.
The band was formed with Pendong's wife Chat, guitarist Lito Crisostomo, bassist Jovie Abella, and drummer Nowie Favila. This isn't just a business arrangement, it's a musical family united by a shared vision of preserving and evolving Filipino music.
What's beautiful about this lineup is how each member brings their own expertise while serving the larger mission. It's not about ego or individual stardom; it's about collective cultural preservation and innovation.
The Asin Connection: A Legacy That Refuses to Die
Here's where things get really interesting, and this is something you absolutely need to know about. Pendong, the band's namesake and driving force, was actually a founding member of the legendary folk rock band Asin. When Asin became inactive, most people thought that era of socially conscious Filipino folk rock was over. But they were wrong.
Asin's legacy refuses to die, and Ang Grupong Pendong is doing just that—keeping the flame burning brighter than ever. Alfredo "Pendong" Aban Jr, a founding member of Asin kept the legacy of his lengendary band alive while enriching its musical palette with original songs that fused ethnic music and hard rock. It's like passing the torch from one generation to the next, but making it even more spectacular in the process.
Think about it. While other musicians were chasing Western trends, Pendong took a different path. He dove deeper into Filipino culture, not just maintaining what Asin started but expanding it into territories that even his former bandmates might not have imagined.
 |
| Pendong with Asin's lead singer Lolita Carbon. |
What Makes Their Music So Special?
You know how some bands just sound like everyone else? Well, Ang Grupong Pendong is the complete opposite. Their music explores the possibilities between Filipino indigenous instruments and contemporary musical forms, with the kulintang—an 8-piece graduated knobbed bronze/brass gongs indigenous to Mindanao, being predominant in their songs.
But it's not just about the instruments. It's about the stories, the history, and the soul of the Filipino people that these instruments carry. When you listen to their music, you're not just hearing songs; you're experiencing centuries of Filipino culture distilled into contemporary musical arrangements.
Their approach is like having a conversation between your lolo's generation and your own—respectful of tradition but bold enough to make it relevant for today's world. It's folk rock, but it's also world music. It's traditional, but it's also completely modern.
International Recognition: Putting Philippine Music on the World Map
Here's something that might surprise you—Ang Grupong Pendong isn't just beloved locally. Since their formation, they've performed in Berlin, Germany, and Singapore as representatives of the Philippine Department of Tourism-PCVC in Tourism Conventions, with 27 performances in 23 cities all over Europe.
They've graced major world music festivals like the Sfinks Festival in Belgium and the Dunya Festival in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Imagine that—Filipino indigenous music being celebrated alongside the world's best world music acts. It's not just about representing the Philippines; it's about showing the world that our music is just as sophisticated, just as moving, and just as relevant as anything coming out of Nashville, London, or anywhere else.
Their Place in OPM History
Let's be real—when people talk about OPM, they usually mention the big names like APO Hiking Society, VST & Company, or the rock bands of the '90s. Ang Grupong Pendong was mentioned among the rock bands of the '90s era, but their influence goes far beyond any single decade or genre classification.
They occupy a unique space in Philippine music—too traditional for mainstream rock, too contemporary for pure folk, and too Filipino for world music purists. But that's exactly what makes them essential.
They've created their own category, and in doing so, they've opened doors for other artists to explore their own cultural roots without compromising their artistic integrity. This point can be proven even by watching this crudely shot live performance video:
Why You Should Care About Ang Grupong Pendong
Listen, I get it. In today's world of streaming algorithms and viral TikTok sounds, why should you care about a band that uses ancient instruments and sings about cultural preservation? Here's why:
First, they're keeping something alive that could easily disappear. Every time they perform, they're maintaining connections to indigenous communities and their musical traditions. In an era where globalization threatens to homogenize everything, Ang Grupong Pendong stands as a guardian of cultural diversity.
Second, their music is genuinely innovative. This isn't about nostalgia or museum pieces. They're creating something new by honoring something old. It's the kind of creative fusion that could only happen in the Philippines, with its unique history and cultural diversity.
Third, they represent authenticity in an increasingly manufactured music industry. These aren't studio creations or manufactured personas. This is real music made by real people who've lived with and learned from the communities whose traditions they honor.
Songs to Start With
So far, Ang Grupong Pendong has only released one album, “Ang Dito Sa Lupa” in 1994. After that, they released a few singles from time to time. If you want to get familiar with theird notable songs, you might want to start with these essential tracks that showcase their unique sound:
- "Nanay O' Nanay" - A heartfelt tribute that demonstrates their ability to infuse traditional themes with contemporary arrangements
- "Bawat Pahinga" - Perfect for experiencing their signature blend of indigenous instruments with rock elements
- "Bukas Ng Umaga" - Shows their softer, more contemplative side while maintaining their cultural authenticity
- "Sanlibutan" - A powerful example of how they use the kulintang and other traditional instruments in modern compositions
- "Buhay Na Kinagisnan" - Captures the essence of Filipino life and tradition through their distinctive musical lens
These tracks showcase their ability to blend traditional Filipino musical elements with contemporary arrangements, giving you a perfect introduction to what makes Ang Grupong Pendong so special.
Final Thoughts To Ponder: More Than Just a Band
At the end of the day, Ang Grupong Pendong is more than just a band—they're cultural ambassadors, tradition keepers, and musical innovators all rolled into one. They represent the best of what Filipino music can be: rooted in tradition but unafraid of evolution, proud of heritage but open to the world.
In a music landscape often dominated by imported sounds and manufactured images, Ang Grupong Pendong offers something precious—authenticity, cultural depth, and genuine musical innovation. They're proof that Filipino music doesn't need to imitate Western styles to be world-class.
So the next time someone asks you about truly innovative Filipino music, point them toward Ang Grupong Pendong. They might discover that the most cutting-edge sounds sometimes come from the oldest traditions, and that the future of Filipino music might just lie in honoring its past.
Whether you're a longtime OPM fan or someone just discovering the richness of Filipino music, Ang Grupong Pendong deserves a place in your playlist and in your understanding of what makes Philippine culture so uniquely beautiful.
){kind=link}
0 Comments