Gary Granada

Gary Granada
Birth name Gary Granada
Origin Maco, Compostela Valley
Genres Rock, folk rock
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 1988–present
Associated acts Bayang Barrios

Gary Granada (born 1960 in Maco, Compostela Valley) is a well-known Filipino musician, composer and singer-songwriter. He is also a tutor at the University of the Philippines,[1] a board member to several organizations, a union organizer, broadcaster, and voice talent, among others. Many of his songs carry political themes.[2]

Early life

Granada was born in 1960 to mother Cristina (a dressmaker) and father Ireneo (a fisherman). Growing up, he took a number of odd jobs to help support the presumably feeble family income. He graduated valedictorian in both elementary and high school but never attained a diploma in college (he enrolled in the University of the Philippines but was booted out).[3]

Musical career

Granada learned the ukulele at his father's insistence, learned how to play guitar proficiently as well, got up to grade one in piano, and never learned how to read music. He made a lot of compositions: topical compositions as well as advertising jingles, with some becoming hits at one time or another.[4]

Granada is also an avid Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fan, and composed numerous songs about the Ginebra San Miguel Kings basketball team; "Ginebrang Ginebra"; "Kapag Nananalo ang Ginebra (When Ginebra Wins)" sung by Bayang Barrios; and "Kapag Natatalo ang Ginebra (When Ginebra Loses)", sung by himself. The latest of these tribute songs was "Dugong Ginebra", written right after the 2008 PBA Fiesta Conference championship.

In 2009, Granada accused the GMA Kapuso Foundation of violating his intellectual property rights.[5]

References

  1. Lee-Chua, Queena N. (3 June 2013). "Gary Granada on social studies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  2. Geronimo, Jee (14 June 2013). "Gary Granada: Imagining freedom through music". Rappler. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  3. "Gary Granada – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at Last.fm". last.fm. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  4. Gil, Baby A. (24 May 2013). "Gary Granada writes musical textbook". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  5. Godinez, Bong (9 February 2009). "GMA Network and Gary Granada issue new statements over jingle controversy". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 18 February 2014.