UAE-based Pinoy band releases third single despite computer virus attack

Filipino band “Alagad” in the United Arab Emirates has successfully launched its third music album, despite a commuter virus attack that pestered the group in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ransomware attack siya. Literal na parang na-I.C.U. yung buong album which consists of 12 tracks. Yung six tracks na inabot kami ng two years bago matapos, natapon lang. Luckily, nakapag-release na kami ng first single namin, yung PAL. May natirang mga 70% dun sa third single at 50% sa fourth single,” recounted guitarist Tristan Elbert Obor Alintanahin of Alagad.

Photos courtesy of Tristan Elbert Obor Alintanahin

“Para kaming nasunugan nun, sobra. Four days yata akong walang tulog, straight. Sayang talaga kasi nag-visit visa pa ang pinsan kong si Armand Jay Dela Rosa dito ng six months from Biñan, Laguna. Siya kasi ang keyboardist, violinist, at co-founding member ng grupong nabuo noong Sept. 13, 2004," he added in an interview via Messenger on September 30.

"Then we met Maricar Alcantara in 2007 sa HIMIG choir. She joined us as our official vocalist and in 2014, France Barcelo completed ‘Alagad’ for drum duties," Alintanahin continued, referring to the music instructor in Belvedere International School and document controller in Yousif General Contracting, respectively.

The three singles that have been corrupted were “Alam Ng Langit,” “Unang Korinto,” and “Nostalgia."

“’Alam Ng Langit,’ which is supposed to be the second single, depicts a typical Pinoy love story kung saan mas nagmamahal yung isa, mas nasasaktan, mas umuunawa, mas lumalaban, na sa sobrang pagmamahal hindi na kayang sakyan ng mundo. Langit na lang ang nakakaunawa at nakakaalam.”

“Yung ‘Unang Korinto,’ which is supposed to be the fifth single, naman does not need more introductions — it’s all written in the Bible. Dalawa lang ang naging challenge namin dito. Una, dapat mai-rephrase namin siya at gawan ng narrative. Ayaw kasi namin eksaktong kopyahin lang, and second, dapat masakyan nito ang vocabulary and trend ng mga kabataan."

“Ang ‘Nostalgia’ naman, which is supposed to be the sixth single, is about the aftermath of a breakup. Sa una, akala mo okay ka, matapang ka, mataas ang pride mo, only to find out na sobrang sakit pala, na sana pala hindi mo basta isinuko at tinanggap mo na nagkamali ka. Moral: love wins, pride lose. At trivia: real life story siya at nagkatuluyan sila.”

And the two singles it is only left with to date are "Panahon at Pag-Ibig” and “Dakila.”

“Ang ‘Panahon at Pag-Ibig,’ which is really the third single the band is going to release, is about life, love, time, and fate. Para ito sa lahat ng mga nagmamahal, regardless kung couple, magkapatid, mag-ina, mag-pinsan, o mag-bestfriend.”

“Ito yung tipong nagkakape kayong dalawa or nakaupo sa dalampasigan o nasa tabi ng bonfire tapos ini-express niyo lang sa isa't isa na lahat ng bagay ay may hangganan kaya sana yung mga natitirang panahon ay magamit sa masasaya at mas magaganda pang ala-ala.”

“Ang ‘Dakila’ naman, which is supposed to be the fourth single, talks about giving ng walang kapalit, ng hindi nagtuturo, na kahit masakit na. Sobrang kaunti na lang ang mga ganitong klase ng tao kaya naman ang tawag sa kanila ay ‘dakila.’

“Isa ito sa mga sobra naming pinaghirapan dahil nag-incorporate kami ng orchestra at choir sa dulo nung song.”

If it’s just any consolation, “PAL” (which the band decided to stand for “Pilipino Ang Lahi Ko”), had not been included in the digital mess.

“Safe na safe yung PAL. Matagal na siyang na-release, bago na-virusan ang studio. Ber months siya ng 2018 nabuo, nung nagkakagulo ang bayan sa tamang direksyon at kasagsagan ng mga bullies at bashers.”

“Tumatalakay ito sa positibong bahagi ng pagiging Pilipino. Ang Pinoy kasi, kahit anong dagok ng buhay, ‘di yan matitibag. Hindi tayo mga suicidal na tao, ‘di ‘yan masyadong uso sa kultura natin. Tayo yung mga warrior sa mundo, na kahit ano pang unos, lalakaran natin ng buong tapang.”

So like this message, Alagad will continue on with the album.

"Kahit anong mangyari, tatapusin namin ang album at hinding-hindi kami susuko para sa mga naniniwala sa amin at hindi nang-iwan sa ere sa loob ng 16 na taon. Para sa kanila ito." —LBG, GMA News