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Exclusive first look: ‘Pinoy Ako’ video by the J-rock band Uchusentai:NOIZ

Screengrab of Uchusentai:NOIZ in vdeo of "Pinoy Ako"

Call it the Tacloban Trilogy.

In an exclusive unveiling by Yahoo Philippines, the third video in a series of OPM songs recorded by the Japanese visual kei rock band Uchusentai:NOIZ is now out.

A cover of Orange and Lemons’ hit song “Pinoy Ako,” the video shows all 5 members of the band wearing barongs dyed in hues as wild as each members’ hair color.

 

 

The third in a trilogy

“Pinoy Ako” completes the trilogy of OPM songs the punk pop metal group recorded to convey their message about rebuilding Tacloban, flattened by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

“Their message is, ‘It should not be Japanese or aliens (LOL) who help Tacloban,’” Ichido Miyake, CEO of Creative Connections & Commons, the management company of Uchusentai:NOIZ, told Yahoo Philippines in an email.

By first covering Rico Blanco’s “Liwanag sa Dilim,” then Rocksteddy’s “Superhero" and finally Orange and Lemons’ “Pinoy Ako,” the band’s message is complete.

 

Watch the video of "Liwanag sa Dilim" here.

Watch the video of "Superhero" here.

 

Pinoys are the heroes

As Miyake puts it:

“Ikaw ang ‘Liwanag sa dilim’
Ikaw ang ‘Superhero’
Ikaw ang ‘Pinoy’” ("Pinoy Ako")

Vocalist Angel:Taka, who last visited Tacloban on April 4 told Yahoo Philippines in an email, “We heard that the Filipinos are starting to forget about Tacloban after what happened. While we are listening to ‘Liwanang sa Dilim’ and learning its lyrics, we thought of what we can do at times like this. So, we really wanted to convey such message.”

He was doing charity work in Tacloban when he realized: “It should not be us, Japanese, but rather it’s the Filipinos who should continue to give help to their fellow men. It’s not us who are the ‘light in the dark’ (liwanag sa dilim) but it’s the Filipinos themselves. And, the true ‘Superhero’ is the Filipinos, and thus, we also covered ‘Superhero.’"

 

 

The situation 5 months after Yolanda

When Angel first went to Tacloban early in January to distribute the donations they had gathered, he made the ruined city the backdrop to the band’s video of “Liwanag sa Dilim.”

“We filmed there because wanted to show everyone what's the current situation of the place. The people in the Tacloban were doing their best, striving, and positively looking forward. Thus, we have received power from them instead,” he explained

Aside from the Tacloban songs, Uchusentai:NOIZ has also covered Kamikazee’s “Narda.”


It began with toothbrushes

“Eight years ago, we had a volunteer activity in the Philippines. It was the song I used to sing while we are distributing toothbrush to the children,” said Angel.

“It was the song that made a solid bond between me and the children. And for me, it was the song that gave me the power to do volunteer in the Philippines. It is a very memorable song.”

Uchusentai:NOIZ was formed in 1999 and began doing “music-related activities around year 2000,” said Angel.


Space warriors

“In Japanese, the word 'uchusentai' means ‘space warriors.’ We are the Space Warriors who will save peace on Earth through the power of music. :) On the other hand, we just coined the word ‘NOIZ,’ and it doesn't have anything to do with the word ‘noise’ in English,” he explained.

The current lineup of the band includes Angel on vocals, Kotaro on lead guitar, Masato on back-up vocals and guitar, Kyo on bass and Yamato on drums.

You can catch Uchusentai:NOIZ live in Manila and Davao. In Manila, the band will perform on May 1 at BOA (Best of Anime) Summer Live! event at the Metrotent Convention Center, Metrowalk Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig. The band goes on stage from 6 to 8 p.m. On May 2, the band will be in The Pad by Padi’s Point, San Miguel By the Bay, Seaside Blvd., SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City from 12 to 4 p.m. to meet and greet fans.

In Davao, the band will be at the BOA convention on May 4, Sunday, to be held at the third floor of the SMX Convention Center Davao, SM Lanang Premier J.P Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City. They will meet fans from 1 to 4 p.m. and play from 6 to 8 p.m.

To know more about the band visit their Facebook page and their website.