UNANG DALOY: The 1st Central Luzon Visual Arts Festival

The 1st Central Luzon Visual Arts Festival (Central Luzon Visual Arts Congress) CeLVACon 2012 dubbed as "UNANG DALOY" is a convention of artists from Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Zambales for a very important Art event of the year. Slated on October 3 to 4, 2012 at the SM Baliwag and La Jardin Resort in Baliwag, Bulacan, this exciting festival will surely stir the mind and senses of the artist participants as well as "bring out the artist in you" for those who haven't realized it yet. The two-day event will hold an Art Congress, exhibitions, lectures, series of workshops and lastly interaction -- the "meeting of like minds"!

GRASSROOTS is representing MUSIKERONG KAPAMPANGAN as one of the official delegates & participants/performers at the "UNANG DALOY: the 1st Central Luzon Visual Arts Festival & Art Congress" to be held at Baliuag, Bulacan on Oct, 3-4. Artists from Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Bataan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija & Zambales will convene at this very important Art event of the year. 

With the special participation, lecture & address from Prof. Felipe de Leon Jr., Chairman of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Mr. Nemensio Miranda, Head of the National Committee for Visual Arts (NCVA) & noted art historian/critic. Dr. Reuben Canete.

About Grassroots
Conceived in 1996 & established in Angeles City, Philippines in 1997, GRASSROOTS is the ONLY band that can rightfully lay claim to be the FIRST reggae band in Angeles City & only AUTHENTIC one at that. The band started the reggae music scene in Pampanga.

GRASSROOTS is an anti-imperialist, pro-environment, anti-fascist, pro-equal rights, anti-racist, pro-people, anti-ethnocentric, pro-responsible gun ownership, all-Filipino political proletarian reggae band based in Angeles City; incessantly involved in various socio-political issues & causes, and perpetually participates in protests & other mass actions.

GRASSROOTS has performed at various music festivals, benefit shows, political events, protest rallies, D.I.Y. & underground events in various cities and municipalities nationwide. Time and again, GRASSROOTS' live performances are always sans pareil indeed, an event eagerly awaited upon and constantly to be reckoned with.

GRASSROOTS' decidedly roots & conscious reggae stylings fused with distinctively Pinoy musical flavors & themes have graced the airwaves and every nook & cranny of these tropical islands. From communes to co-ops, from picket lines to protest rallies, from beachfronts to boudoirs, from hole-in-the-wall hang outs to hallowed halls of historic theaters/concert venues, GRASSROOTS' brand of reggae & it's various offshoots, from hypnotic dub excursions to spiritual nyabinghi chants, are very much warmly received and have ardently been given rave reviews:

"GRASSROOTS never fails to explore extended jams at any point, tinged with Jamaican vibes, dance floor repetition and nuance in the shifting layers of sound & rhythm that really accent the bass and drums, all the while maintaining its soulful edge and rasta integrity."-(NME)

"Perennially what powers the music are their song's insightful lyrics peppered with provocative stances, sheerly unadulterated wit and eloquent bravado that poignantly instigates critical thought. Without a doubt, GRASSROOTS is a thinking man's AND woman's reggae band, seamlessly seditious and downright revolutionary."-(MOJO)

"These freedom fighting, roots rockers are effortless & cocksure and their more experimental tracks not only shimmer with clever instrumentation and blustering swagger but also makes you want to get up and dance to the rock steady beat. As always, GRASSROOTS is really a multimedia piece of performance art that sounds like themselves but filtered through whatever's going on at the time in music & culture."-(Q)

GRASSROOTS is spearheaded by founder, front man, riddim guitarist, percussionist & chief songwriter Dino "Daddi Dynes" Doliente. GRASSROOTS has a reserve roster of ace session musicians and cutting-edge musical collaborators.

In it's 15-year musical career, GRASSROOTS has gained a distinguishable reputation of being consistently both incendiary & transcendent, as well as blatantly relevant to the times.

GRASSROOTS current line up:
Reyan "junloKAP" Capili - lead guitar
Christian Edcel Briones - drums
Kenneth "Teban" Macapugay - bass
Jhay Cee Buan - keyboard
Leo "Kulut" Yosuico - percussions, backing vocals
Joaquin "Smithy" Doliente - percussions, backing vocals
Nole "Poy" Acervo - percussions, backing vocals
DonReich Sumang Dedios - percussions
Dino "Daddi Dynes" Doliente - riddim guitar, vocals

GRASSROOTS alumni, sessionist & intermittent collaborators are the following:
Lead guitar:
Paul Lauricio
Kenneth del Rosario
Ariel "Krukya" Patacsil
Amor "Mio" Dizon
Rizmark "Mac" Alonzo
Rommel Mallari

Riddim guitar:
Lawrence "Bunsoy" Yabut
Ernesto "Jun" Ceralde Jr.
Ramon Sibug

Drums:
Diong de Leon
Mike "CrashGroove" Calma
Oliver "Obey" de Castro
Neil "Tila" Trinidad
Allen "corebeats"Balatbat
Rommel Canlas
Joshua Castro

Bass:
Rufino "Pinong" Canlas Jr.
Ian "Kiss" Pagola
Renmin Estrella

Keyboards:
Francis "Shaider" Navarro
Jeffrey Estacio
Peter "the Rock" Bungay

Backing Vocals:
Myla Gania-Gopez
Judy Tolentino

Kubing, bungkaka, rain maker, film camera, sound tech:
Arthur "Bobet" Turqueza

Road manager:
Joaquin "Smithy" Doliente

Percussions:
Levi Laxamana

Saxophone & flute:
Abel "Konsehal" Pamintuan
(data from grassroots facebook account)