Catchy, light, and easy, like the good old days when lazy afternoons and slow evenings meant tuning in to the radio to listen and soak up good music. But more than a memory project by siblings who call themselves Mellady, their first-ever album, titled Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal, is also an antidote for the uncertain times.
“These are the songs we wrote when we were much younger, with the promise that one day, we’ll compile them into an album. They were just lying there and so we dug them up and photocopied them,” explained Ramel Mella, one of the composers behind the 12-song compilation, at a recent listening event for members of media. “We thought, if no one will produce them, then we’ll do it ourselves.”
Mella siblings, from left: Gabriel Thaib, Ephraim Tahir, and Lolita Shaira during a recording session for the album
Melladys is a wordplay on “Mella,” the surname of Ramel and his four siblings— Alejandro Khasim, Ynocencio Ramel, Gabriel Thaib, Lolita Shaira, and Ephraim Tahir.
They were teenagers who formed a band called Tanglaw and jammed with their guitar and piano in their home in Rizal Village, Makati, near J.P. Rizal St., which became the inspiration for the album’s title.
It was the early ’70s and Martial Law left a certain disquietude and restlessness across the country. Meanwhile, making music was the chord that struck the Mellas’ teen spirit. “Everyone knew how to play guitars, not just us but practically all the young people of that time. We would go to Luneta Park with our guitars and we would see girls playing guitars, as well. We would approach and talk to them. That’s how we met girls at that time,” Ramel recalled.
‘We would go to Luneta Park with our guitars and we would see girls playing guitars, as well. We would approach and talk to them. That’s how we met girls at that time’
“Even after school or playing basketball with the barkada, we would play music together. That’s how we got our inspiration, too. We would write songs about puppy love and all that stuff.”
Khasim, the eldest, passed away in 1984, which left a void in the family. Life consequently continued and today, Thaib, Shaira, and Tahir are based in the US with their families, while Ramel stayed in Manila, managing the family’s properties in Sorsogon.
The dream lingered for years—five decades, in fact—until Ramel reconnected with Johnny Alegre, a former colleague from Ayala Corp. It must have been destiny, surmised Ramel now, as he admitted that he didn’t realize the depth of Alegre’s notable stature in the music firmament.
Alegre is a Filipino jazz legend, a trailblazer in the jazz scene, and a well-respected guitarist, composer, and bandleader with two albums released by a local company and one under an international label.
Alegre felt the heart and soul in the Mellas’ compositions and didn’t waste time envisioning the album with Ramel, and putting together a diverse lineup of the most talented Filipino musicians: Medwin Marfil (Truefaith), Jazz Nicolas (The Itchyworms), Mikey Amistoso (Ciudad, The Itchyworms), Noel Mendez, Joey Puyat (Blue Rats, Kiss the Bride), Rommel dela Cruz (formerly with Barbie’s Cradle and Freestyle), Paolo Manuel (Kosmikskala, The Jerks), Kakoi Legaspi (Dong Abay Music Organization, Rivermaya), Marga Jayy, Alegre himself, and more. Ria Villena-Osorio (formerly of Bamboo) also contributed as an arranger.
“I started work on one song, which was a lot of fun, and then the next,” Alegre said. “Before we knew it, an album’s worth of really good OPM was made.”
The lyrics are relatable and take listeners back to an era when people made songs for the sheer joy of making music. Alegre noted, “They tell the story of an extended family of young friends who gathered after school to create songs without contrived emotion.
“In many ways, they reflected my own experiences as a budding songwriter, as many of us were from my generation, when we just made things up as we went along, and there were no rules.”
Love blooms in many forms in the album: a couple’s devotion to each other in “Ikaw, Ako” (with Marga Jayy and Mark Laygo on vocals); a young man’s seemingly unattainable prospect in “Bituin” (sung by Tahir Mella); hope and despair in “Kailangan Ka” (by Medwin Marfil), and love for nautre in “Ito’y Para Sa Iyo” (sung by Mikey Amistoso). Faith and commitment are promised in “Dambana” (by Carla Guevarra and David Ezra), while overcoming life’s struggles is the theme inof“Pangarap” (by Medwin Marfil). The spirit of daydreaming resonates in “Gintong Panaginip” (by Tahir Mella).
‘The songs tell the story of an extended family of young friends who gathered after school to create songs without contrived emotion’
Melladys’ “Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal” album cover
“I would best describe the album as classic OPM,” commented Alegre. He added that while the album is steeped in old-school acoustic folk sounds, Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal is also rich with other genres, from upbeat pop and soft rock to bossa nova, kundiman, and contemplative ballads.
Listening to the simplicity of the lyrics, the effortless vocals of its artists, and the melodic introspectiveness of its musicians is like enjoying an aural massage—one only has to sit back, relax, and enjoy the listening experience. And which makes vinyl the perfect platform for the album.
On June 18 (Wednesday), Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal will have its vinyl release exclusively at Backspacer Records.
“Why vinyl? When you listen to a small speaker or CD, you will only hear so much. But in the intimacy of your home and if you want to enjoy that cinematic kind of experience, that’s the magic that vinyl will bring you,” Alegre explained.
The Melladys, now seniors, are energized to pursue their musical journey again. After the vinyl launch, the digital release of Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal is also in the offing.
Asked what’s next for the Melladys, with a boyish glint in his eyes, Ramel replied, “Who knows? We have a lot to offer musically. Perhaps another album, a movie, or a musical! It’s never too late to chase dreams.”
