MISTULA : Revelations

For the thousands who are still feeling lost and forsaken.
We haven’t forgotten.

Last September and October 2009, two super typhoons battered northern Philippines. It was the worst natural disaster the country has experienced in over three decades.

Almost a thousand lives were lost. Infrastructure damages reached 38 Billion Pesos or 829 Million in US Dollars.

The disaster awakened the spirit of volunteerism.

Donated goods came in the truckloads to the relief areas. Local networks organized telethons, collecting as much as 10 Million Pesos. Proceeds of big, industry-wide events, such as the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress, were donated to the most affected cities and provinces. Benefit concerts by various local artists and bands were organized, the proceeds of which went to the victims and their families.

Everyone wanted to donate and do whatever they can to help.

And amidst all the financial and material aid that has poured from all over the world, the band realized one important aspect of the Filipino that was curiously being overlooked.

The Philippines is one of only two predominantly Catholic countries in Asia, with more than 90% of the entire population Christians. Devout and religious, the common Filipino’s everyday life is ruled by spirituality. His everyday decisions and choices influenced largely by his faith.

More than being physically starved due to the recent disasters, the Filipinos were hungry spiritually. And it struck us odd that nobody was addressing this.

So we did.

Mistula is currently spearheading an ongoing project that involves a production team composed of some of the most genuinely kind-hearted individuals who have pledged their very precious time and talent into helping us breathe life to an idea.

Our end goal is a new Mistula song. But it won’t be just any song.

It will be a prayer.

It will be a new church song, to be donated and offered to various churches and choirs.

A new prayer, to be sung specifically before the coming of a storm.

Because there is no escaping the country’s geography; no denying the estimated 19 tropical cyclones that visit the country each year during the typhoon season.

Over the course of the coming weeks and months, our efforts will consist solely of bringing this new song into existence. We shall be posting constant updates on its production process, right up to the song’s online release, and ultimately, to its offering at the church, right before the next typhoon season comes.

The band hopes that this donation will help build a spiritually stronger Filipino, united through one prayer, in the face of calamity.

This, we pray.

Amen.

Mistula is set to premiere their newest song this 23 February. But you won’t believe how they’ll do it!

We caught up with Mistula main man, Lugosi, and he has this to say:

“We’ve been working on this new song for a while now, ever since Mistula has been tapped for the Manikako project. Aside from helping out with the doll workshops, we knew we wanted to do something really special for the cause, and we knew we wanted to do it in our own Mistula way. We all agreed we would offer something that we love doing the most. So, yeah, it’s going to be a new poem song, written specifically for Manikako. It’s our gift to Manikako, dedicated to the people behind it, to the supporters who give their effort, time, and resources, to the artists who contribute their talents, and most especially, to the kids who ultimately, are the ones who benefit from the cause.”

“Of course, in true Mistula fashion, we’ve also decided not to premiere it in your usual “new single release” kind of way. Manikako is having a week-long event, starting this February 16 at the Podium Mall in Ortigas. There’s going to be an auction for Manikako dolls designed by top artists in the country, doll exhibits, workshops from various art-related groups, and a culminating thanksgiving celebration on the last day of the event, on the 23rd. That’s where we’ll premiere the new song “Salamat sa Iyo, Manikako” (Thank you, Manikako), live. Yup, live. We’ve always said our songs are poetry performances, so what better way to first experience this new piece than by doing an actual poetry performance. We’ve got the Mistula Tribute Band, they’ve got our blessing, they’re taking care of that for us. And, collaborating with us is the father of performance poetry in the country and current director of the University of the Philippines Creative Writing Center, Prof Vim Nadera. It’s something that’s never been done before, so we’re pretty excited as to how that will turn out. And it’s probably the only chance to hear the new song performed live, before we release the actual recording sometime later this year.”

So mark your calendars, devotees! And see you this February 23, 5:30pm at The Podium, Ortigas Center for “Salamat sa Iyo, Manikako”.

Gabie Osorio, doll seamstress extraordinaire, turned Lugosi and the rest of Mistula into Manikako. More of Gabie’s creations are at the Manikako, Future Ko! A Fund Raising Doll Fair at The Podium, February 16 to 23, 2008.

Lugosi, in the studio, preparing for a take after reading today’s news.

Transcript:
MOTHER FEEDS OWN FLESH TO SON

In a desperate act to feed something to her starving child, a poverty-stricken mother sliced off parts of her own body, cooked, and served them to her son, causing her own death not long after.
The dismembered body of Marilen Cruz, single mother, 31 yrs old, of Luna Street, Manila was discovered inside her house by neighbors curious about her sudden disappearance.
Investigation conducted by PO1 Jose Santiago, after responding to a call from her neighbors, revealed that Cruz was a street vendor but barely earned enough to provide for herself and for her child.
Cruz’ 6 yrs old son, Danilo “Dan-Dan” Cruz, was found alive and in good health.