Sampu't Sari: DJ Cool Carla ng Mariya's Mistress

CARLA ABAYA

DJ. Chef. Photographer. Singer. Musician. Songwriter.

Isa akong trying hard na blogger kaya naman natutuwa ako kapag may nagsasabing naaaliw daw sila sa aking mga isinusulat. Ang totoo, nakakatsamba lang naman ako kaya pumapatok sa panlasa ang mga kung anu-anong kuwentong walang kuwenta dito sa aking munting tambayan. Sa loob ng humigit sa dalawang taon sa mundo ng blogosperyo, marami ang patuloy na naliligaw dito at nagsasabing nakakasabay sila sa mga istoryang karanasan ko tungkol sa Dekada NoBenta.

Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang isa sa mga pangarap ko bilang isang OA na blogista - ang makapagpanayam ng mga bigating personalidad mula sa nineties. Ano kaya ang mga kuwento nila noong kapanahunan namin?

Magaling talaga si Bro dahil hindi niya ako pinapabayaan sa mga adhikain kong makapagbigay ng panandaliang aliw (o puwede rin namang pansamantagal)  sa mga taong nangangailangan. Walang halong kalaswaan. Patuloy Siyang nagpapadala ng mga anghel upang bigyang katuparan ang next level ng NoBenta. May bagong pakulo ako at tatawagin itong "SAMPU'T SARI". Sampung katanungang may kinalaman sa nineties ang pagmamakaawa at sapilitan kong ipasasagot sa mga kilalang tao (na ang karamihan sa kanila ay nagbigay-kulay sa pamumuhay natin noong beeper pa lang ang uso).

Tama na ang palabok. Baka mapanis ang ihahain. Simulan na ang kuwentuhan. 

Noong Dekada NoBenta, ang LA105.9 ang isa sa dalawang istasyon ng radyong pinakikinggan ng mga taong mas nabubutas ang ear drums sa mga kanta ng mga paksyet na boy bands kaysa sa mga "ingay" ng mga tunay na banda. Sa istasyong ito limang taong nanirahan at narinig ang boses ng malufet na si CARLA ABAYA. Mas kilala siya bilang si DJ Cool Carla dahil ito na ang gamit niyang bansag mula pa man noong siya ay nasa WXB102 pa lang.

Nakilala bilang isa sa mga bokalista ng grupong Identity Crisis na isa sa mga itinuturing na haligi at nagsimula ng musikang alternatibo sa Pinas (Sayang at wala ako sa ating bansa noong nagdaos sila ng kanilang reunion). Nang maghiwa-hiwalay sila sa IC ay binuo niya ang pop trio na Mariya kasama sina Lenny Llapitan at Rozylyn Torres. Kahit na tumagal lang ng mga walong buwan ang grupong ito ay nakapaglabas sila ng single na kasama sa cult 80's movie na "Bagets", ang "Bahala Na". Matapos nito ay naging isa siya sa mga featured singers sa pangalawang studio album ng grupong Lokal Brown, ang "Ikalawang Yugto".

 

Mariya's Mistress

Sa grupong Mariya's Mistress talagang pumutok ang pangalan ni DJ Cool Carla noong Dekada NoBenta. Hindi mawawala sa playlist ng isang Batang Nineties ang mga kanta nilang "Palabas", "'Di Maglalaho", at iba pang piyesa mula sa album nilang "Unang Pag-Agos" na nagkaroon pa ng magandang review sa Billboard (USA) Magazine. Astig!

Matapos ang apat na taon sa Mariya's Mistress ay ipinagpalit niya ang paghawak ng mic sa paghawak ng saute pan. Bukod sa malufet na tinig na nakakabusog sa tenga ay kaya ka rin niyang busugin sa mga masarap na lutuing natutunan niya sa culinary arts. Hindi ko sigurado kung natatandaan niya pero natikman ko na ang kanyang roast chicken with special gravy noong minsang dumalaw kami ng barkada kong si Nikki (DJ Norieva) sa kanyang bahay. Muntikan ko nang makalimutan ang pangalan ko. Sarapas.

Parang gising lagi siya sa tuwing magsasabog ng talento ang kalangitan dahil bukod sa mikropono at sandok ay kaya rin niyang paglaruan ng effortless ang camera upang makagawa ng mga larawang makatulo-laway.

Carla Abaya Photography

 O sya, heto na ang pangarap kong jackpot.

1. What are your most memorable experiences as DJ Cool Carla during the heyday of LA105.9?

I will not forget the friendships I have made with my fellow DJ’s and staff. They are all talented and wonderful people. I will also remember the cutting edge music we played, from world to alternative to classic rock to electronica. I think LA105 was one of the pioneering stations (together with XB and NU) that supported alternative music both foreign and local.

2. How would you compare the bands (and their songs) of the 90’s Decade to the ones we have now?

I think that songs during the 90’s have more of a lyrical poetic rebellion and melodies/arrangements were more free flowing. I’m not saying that the music today is flat and boring, there are a lot of good songs out there, it’s just that during the 80’s and 90’s, an era when alternative music was just booming in the Philippines, the quest to stand out and be different was more prevalent. And during the 90’s there was no such thing as Autotune. If during the recording, you went flat or sharp, you had to do it all over again. Which makes the experience of music and performing more demanding.

3. I still remember your hit songs “Usok” and Panaginip”. There was a time when most of the songs played on LA105.9 were revivals of classic songs. Which do you prefer, doing a rock version or doing a “Pinipinoy” version? Is it still applicable nowadays?

Both. It all comes down to arrangement, performance and melody. Some old songs do well when revived, some are better left as is, like sacred ground.

4. What can you say on Rivermaya’s rendition of “My Sanctuary” and “Sumayaw, Umawit” which are both considered masterpieces from your former band Identity Crisis?

I think Rivermaya did a good job. We (Identity Crisis) are honored to have Rivermaya, being one the best bands in the Philippines, cover 2 of our songs.

5. If there is one person from the 90’s you would like to interview, who will it be and what will be your million-dollar question?

Melissa Etheridge. First I would probably break down in tears if I ever met her, then maybe if I had the strength to talk, I would ask if I could sing/jam with her. That would be a dream come true!

6. Nokia is the best mobile phone manufacturer of the nineties but is rapidly losing their share in the industry where Android phones are dominating. What is your thought on this? What Nokia phone models did you have or still have?

I think Nokia has to step up to the technology of iPhones/Androids…or come up with something better to get a portion of the market. My first cellphone was a Motorola, then I switched to Nokia and I always had one ever since. I don’t remember my old Nokia models but presently, one of my phones is a Nokia E71 which I think is a very good phone, next to my iPhone, of course.

7. LA105.9 and NU107.5 both already went off the air. Does this mean the end of rock music here in the Philippines?

I hope not. Unfortunately, there’s nothing worthwhile on the local radio airwaves anymore. It’s all dominated by pop, r n b and hip hop which isn’t my cup of tea. As long as there are bars and concerts that cater to rock/alternative music, it will go on. And there are very good internet radio stations available as well. But of course, nothing beats having a radio station to support true alternative music to make it available to everyone, at no cost.

Please visit DJ Cool Carla's Internet Radio Station: The Chill Out Sessions

8. Do you like the movie “Titanic”? 

I hate it. I don’t like cheesy flat love stories. I like horror, sci fi and gore.

9. If you were a character from one of the cartoon series shown in the 90’s, who would you be and why?

Daria. I have no idea. Maybe it’s because she’s a non-conformist and laid back.

10. First thing that pops into your mind when you read or hear the following words:

      A. Group or Band   Garbage

      B. Movie   Aliens 3

      C. Food   Häagen-Dazs

      D. Music   Melissa Etheridge

      E. Love Team   Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Danes (Romeo & Juliet)

      F. Gadget   Motorola DynaTAC Cellphone

      G. Fashion   terrible hairstyles

      H. TV Program   Takeshi Castle

       I. News Maker   Death of Princess Diana

       J. Author or Writer   Douglas Adams

Any message to all the 90's kids out there?

Let's party like it's 1999!

Maraming salamat DJ Cool Carla sa suporta na iyong ibinigay sa aking blog. Cool!