Published at the Mindanao Times last Saturday, September 22. The original version of this story was my final project for newsgathering subject at the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Amy Cabusao, editor-in-chief of the Mindanao Times, also shared that she was pregnant then when she first saw Yano live at the Bistro 70s sometime in the early 90s. She recalled Eric and Dong were still reading the lyrics of “Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo” lyrics shortly before the gig.

Eric Gancio: Back to the rock scene
By Keith Bacongco

While it was always Dong Abay who was recognized as the frontrunner of the erstwhile rock phenomenon band called Yano, the other half of the band remained behind Abay’s shadow, taking charge of the real sound and identity of the band.

Known for his punk-style guitar riffs, Eric Gancio who will be turning 38 on November 15 remained in the backseat until Abay left the band in the late 90s due to fame-induced pressure. Gancio and the rest of the band continued but later disbanded when Gancio decided to return to his hometown in Davao City.

In 2004, he recorded his first solo indie-album entitled “Sa Bandang Huli.” It was mixed and mastered in his home studio using a PC-based software. Gancio borrowed an extra guitar, bass guitar and a drum set during his recording. Friends also extended help in producing his solo album, such as the designing of the album’s sleeve, poster and other promotional materials.

His new sound is quite different from the Yano’s music. Gancio tried another approach and variation in his first solo album. He got help from friends and fans from different parts of Mindanao to promote his album.

Minting the 2nd album

In a brick-laden garage studio, Gancio is now working on his second solo indie-album. But this time, minus the live drum sets and other instruments. Only his three guitars, amplifiers and Windows-based desktop computer are sitting on his garage studio.

So what would the listeners’ expect from his upcoming album? Gancio says the sound is pretty different from the first solo album. And even from the Yano’s trademark sound in the 90s.

“This will be more exciting than my previous one. I poured more time and effort to refine my craft to be able to produce more invigorating music. I’m exploring different variations here,” Gancio said in an interview.

“Siguro mga next year na ni gawas kay gusto ko na mas ma refine gyud nako ug matutukan ug ayo ni nga album.”

Included in the yet untitled album is his own rendition of one of the hit songs of Yano. “Just wait for the album to come out. I’m planning to have a national launching for this one.”

Another song to be expected is his own rendition of the “Punda.” It’s originally among the songs included in the “Voices for Peace – Echoes of Hope” a Peace Album produced by the Catholic Relief Services.

Gancio assisted the artists from different parts of Mindanao compose and arrange the songs in the album.

”Punda” exposes the perils of people’s close-mindedness to principles, belief systems and religious persuasions. With a tinge of mockery, it mourns the realities of people, caged in their own beliefs, resorting to aggression and hostility.

But on his own rendition, Gancio weaves more string sections in the song such as the violin using the samples from an audio software.

Most of the percussions, including the drums, in the upcoming album is being recorded using the drum samples from the recording software.

Gancio used same old guitars used in Yano days for his second album.

“The sound remains the same, but the song will never ever be the same. Expect great music this time.”

Why in Davao?

While most of the Pinoy rock icons of the 90s have made their comeback in the music scene today, Gancio have decided to make a difference in his hometown Davao City.

“This my own effort here, I don’t want to rejoin my contemporaries in the 90s anymore because I believe that I can make a difference down here as well as help musicians here to develop their craft,” he said as he opened a bottle of beer on top of his guitar amplifier.

Even before Yano was formed in the early 90s, Gancio wanted to do his own piece of music in Davao. Since then, he has been dreaming of performing onstage with reggae and folk musician Popong Landero and Joey Ayala.

Gancio said he wanted to help the Davao musicians to create their own identity, adding that Davao musicians should create their own sound.

“Davao has its own sound. Look at Popong and Joey, that’s Davao’s sound.

That’s what I want to happen here in Davao music industry,” he said in the vernacular during an interview in his self-built studio made of woven oil palm leaves and brick floor.

Influences

It was not known to everyone that Gancio’s famous “Kumusta Na” in Yano’s first album was recorded at Joey Ayala’s studio in Davao City. “That song was actually recorded in his (Ayala) home studio here in Davao then we brought the master to Manila and included it in our first album.” The song discusses the condition of the Filipino masses after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. The song was co-composed with Abay.

On Yano’s second album “Bawal,” it’s pretty evident that the band had been influenced by some of the guitar lines and drum loops from The Ramones, The Knack and The Clash songs. One of these songs is Beta Pyutcha, wherein the drum intro resembles Knack’s My Sharona though a little faster.

But on his upcoming second solo album, Gancio says he prefers to shut his ears from his previous influences. “I want to create my own variations apart from my influences in the past.”

However, he never misses to acknowledge his late father who first taught him to play guitar during his elementary days. Later his father sent him to “Rondalya” sessions to formally learn guitar.

“He influenced me first. Then I took up BS Music Major in Guitar at the University of the Philippines’ Music Conservatory during the last days of Yano It was only my mother who discouraged me to do music but later on I was the one who influenced her. She soon learned to listen to my songs.”

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