Yano

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This article is about the Filipino rock band. For other uses, see Youth and Nonmilitary Opportunities.


Yano was a folk/punk rock band in the Philippines. The band members were originally composed of Dong Abay on vocals and Eric Gancio on guitars. It was formed in the early 1990s during their college days in the University of the Philippines. Onie Badiang later joined them as the bassist, Nowie Favila was the usual drummer but declined to join the group due to commitments with Ang Grupong Pendong.

[edit] History

The band’s debut album, Yano reached quadruple platinum in 1994. After producing three studio albums, Abay quit during the late 1990s because of fame-induced pressure. The group later disbanded after Abay’s absence.

After quitting the band, Abay struggled with clinical depression and stayed only in his bedroom for about five years. He came out of depression while writing new songs set into poetry. He later called Badiang to borrow a guitar and jam. Eventually they formed a new band, which they called Pan and released their debut album entitled Parnaso Ng Payaso in 2003. Although, Pan was later disbanded and Abay recorded a new solo album to be released in May 2006.

Gancio returned to his homeland in Davao after the demise of Yano. In 2004, he released an EP for his upcoming solo album Sa Bandang Huli. Gancio did all the instruments in his indie-released album and mixing the music in a PC-based software.

[edit] Music

Yano’s music was well known for their political and social themes. Their songs censure religious hypocrites like in "Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo" (Holy Dog, Horse Saint), immoral politicians in "Trapo" (colloqial term for traditional politicians, it also literally translates to a dust rag), the lingo of the Philippine's elite in "Cono Ka P’re" and abusive capitalist in "Mc’Jo". Yano’s songs also narrate the situation of the Philippine society during the 1990s. The song "Kumusta Na" discusses the condition of the Filipino masses after the first EDSA Revolution. The song "Abno", also known as "Abnormal Environmental", tackles on the environment while "Kaklase" focuses on students facing maltreatment by their teachers. Another social relevant song "Mercy" tells about the story of a crazy peddler in the Philippines known as the taong grasa.

Being students at the University of the Philippines, they wrote songs in dismay of their school like in "State U" and their life in the university like in "Esem" and "Iskolar Ng Bayan". They also made some love songs in their music like "Senti" and "Paalam Sampaguita".

[edit] Discography