Vic Facultad is back with his Pinoy reggae fusion

Vic Facultad is back with his Pinoy reggae fusion

by rick olivares

Vic Facultad’s sister has this story. Her officemates know these songs – “Di Mo Lang Alam”, “S on My Chest”, “Earth to Man” and a few others. They think they’re some pretty cool ones too. Except they don’t know that the lead singer of that band, Indio I, is her brother. They didn’t even know his name or else they’d put two and two together (they’ve got the same surname) and ask some questions.

Perhaps, the apropos question is, whatever happened to Vic Facultad?

It has been 20 years that 1997 debut by that reggae band out of Ateneo de Manila came out on Star Records (some of the early members later split to form Brownman Revival). They were like this big little secret. People know or have this familiarity with the band’s songs but that’s it. Unless you’re in the scene, you don’t know really know who’s who. And Facultad is one of those quiet and anonymous singers who have been around.

Twenty-years later today, he’s back in the scene with a bunch of new songs. He hesitates to say it’s a comeback. “I never left,” he tells. “I’ve been gigging here and there. But right now, I’m deep in this creative spark.”

Facultad has found not that fount of youth but a renewed passion and desire to write and record new songs. And get back with his reggae fusion sound (there’s some soul, funk with traces of rock riffs here and there) but more to his vision.

“I’ve been giving away the new song titled “Malungkot na Masaya” we’ve recorded (with his band, Weather the Roots) to anyone who wants it,” he shares over dinner at Tito’s Latin BBQ and Grille in Pasig City last Sunday evening right before a show at the B-Side Collective. “I email it and make it available for free downloads.”

He isn’t worried that people will compare the new song (songs, if you will because he’s recorded a bunch of them) to the old classics. He isn’t a one-hit wonder. What he is – a fully confident and season scene vet who believes the new songs will grab people’s attention.

“Like my other songs, I write about other people’s stories. Not just mine but I also write from what I hear and see; yung pulsong Pinoy ba,” he explains. “Malungkot na Masaya” and the second song, “Lakbay” are stories of everyday life that move him.

“Indio I was a bunch of friends who liked Metallica and reggae and the metal influence would be subtle but obvious. Don’t get me wrong, I like Metallica and the whole grunge and alternative scene that was popular in the 90s,” clarifies the 40-year old singer. “But the new music is shaped to my vision (as well as co-creator Ian Umali who once played with the late Karl Roy in P.O.T.). My manager Miren Sanchez also helps out creatively especially in translating it.”

Facultad hails from Iloilo and Tagalog isn’t one of his strong suits. Yet that doesn’t stop him from singing and writing his songs in the national language. “I’m proud of our language and I think it’s the best way for me to communicate the songs specially the new ones we are recording.”

But why reggae? Reggae fusion to be exact.

“The style isn’t something difficult to get into for the Pinoy. It’s got a danceable beat and Pinoys love to dance. It isn’t heavy. And as they say, the music appeals to the heart, mind, and hips.”

“Right now the plan is to record an album,” he shares. “How it is released – whether on digital download, Spotify, or even on vinyl which I want to do will be determined soon. But this isn’t a comeback or goodbye. Or even scratching something off my bucket list. This is me saying hello again. Especially to the young music fans.”

“I’ll say this though, it has been a while since I have been this excited. I figure people will like the new songs.”