“Handa… Awit… Lindol!”: Preparing for earthquakes through music

By Agnes May B. Bantigue

Handa…Awit…Lindol!, a collection of songs for the preparedness and awareness of earthquakes and related calamities, was formally launched on Monday, July 13, at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Auditorium. The album is a collaborative effort of Filipino artists Rev Mendoza, Ma. Stephanie Joy Andaya, Roberto Mendoza, Arlan Camba, Mark Simon dela Cruz, Jonel Sarmiento, Marvin Lai, Jose Fernandez, Leomar Requejo, under the leadership of Dr. Glecy Atienza of the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature of the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) College of Arts and Letters. The development of the album was funded through a Source of Solutions Grant from the UPD Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development (OVCRD).

Project leader of Handa…Awit…Lindol! Dr. Glecy Atienza talks about the development of the music

According to Dr. Atienza, their aim was to create catchy songs that would help inform the listeners about earthquakes and related calamities, and about preparing for them. They wanted to create songs that everyone will enjoy—which is why the album is composed of music in different genres such as rock, R&B, ballad, and folk.

Handa…Awit…Lindol! artists use their talents to promote earthquake preparedness

During the launch, Dr. Atienza, together with artists Rev Mendoza, Leomar Requejo, Arlan Camba, Roberto Mendoza, and Mark Simon dela Cruz, sang original compositions. Natural Ang Lindol gives the different stories of why earthquakes happen such as the awakening of a giant; Intensity talks about how different intensity levels on the PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale feel; Ang Cute Na Kit Ni Buboy gives listeners an idea of what they should have in their emergency kits in case an earthquake should strike. PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Renato Solidum even joined the artists in singing May Plano Ba Tayo?

PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Solidum sings “May Plano Ba Tayo?” with the musicians

Dr. Geoffrey Ducanes of UPD-OVCRD welcomed the audience and congratulated the artists on the successful project, citing the inter-disciplinary approach to developing creative works, while Director Solidum and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Corazon Jimenez likewise praised the team, and expressed their excitement in using the songs in their campaigns for earthquake preparedness.

To broaden the reach of the dissemination of the songs, the album can be shared to the public at no cost, in accordance with Fair Use of Copyright. Interested parties may request copies of the album from the UPD-OVCRD, PHIVOLCS, and MMDA.

For more information about Handa…Awit…Lindol!, you may get in touch with us through e-mail at techtransfer.ovcrd@up.edu.ph.