Pinoy group in UAE rocks 'people on the go'

Skwalado. Pholot courtesy by Gilbert Magat

For “people on the go,” four overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates have come up with a song depicting a "secret emotion."

The People-OnTheGo concept was envisioned in the early 2000s as the result of informal discussions with colleagues on the topic of productivity in the digital age. “On the go,” on the other hand, is a phrase for people who are extremely active.

“We have started to collaborate with People On The Go. Program siya dito sa UAE which showcases different OFW stories. Director po is si Archie Enriquez. Yung first song na naipasok namin is ‘Tingin’ for the three-part mini-series ‘Perfect Murder,’” said drummer Gilbert "Gibbz" Magat of Skwalado, referring to the OFW director who in 2017 came up with a different story from "the usual misfortunes and physical abuse” narratives of his fellow OFWs.

“Ako ang nagsulat nung kanta. It’s all about the feeling of having a secret feeling or ‘pagtingin’ sa taong gustong gusto mo. Na to the point na naging obsessive ka na sa taong yun,” the 41-year-old wine advisor in Dubai Duty Free added during an email interview that started last July 21.

Leveled

G. Magat

Magat pointed out, however, that no one is above the other in the group. Thus, the band is so named.

“Skwalado means ‘leveled’ in Filipino. Pagdating sa banda namin, ang meaning is ‘equality’ meaning all of the members are encouraged to share ideas and contribute in writing songs.”

With Magat are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ara Abigael Palomar, 28, senior systems officer at The Resolute Group; lead guitarist Jasper "Jazzie" Nidar, 38, procurement officer at the Four Seasons Hotel; and bassist Jose Michael "Myck" Balajadia, 38, creative designer at the Workz Group.

Every one is a former band member while in the Philippines.

“Si Ara, before pa siya nagpunta sa UAE, umiikot na sila ng kanyang amang folk singer sa iba’t ibang acoustic bars sa Metro Manila. Si Jazz started performing with his band by late 90's sa mga small bars at mga events. Si Myck joined progressive rock bands,” the former drummer of 6CycleMind explained.

But Skwalado wouldn’t sound like any of their former bands.

“From the way we write our songs since we started the band up to now, iba yung sound namin. Mas pagbubutihin rin namin na mag-share ng aming musika sa lahat ng expats na nandito sa UAE at mas lalo na sa aming pamilya at kaibigan dyan sa Pilipinas,” Magat promised.

To date, Skwalado has 10 original songs that it wishes to release in an EP this year.

“We’re happy performing in the UAE so far. Minsan challenging dahil limitado lang ang mga events or venues to perform dito as a band. [But] on the other side, masaya kasi some of our songs reflect our life here abroad, yung mga iba't ibang experience namin sa buhay or ng ibang tao.” —LBG, GMA News