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Salamat Dennis Motmot Matibag.
Words by Keith Dador
You do not talk about Philippine Punk and Hardcore without mentioning this guy and his role in building this small conterculture/subculture.
From Bulldozed to Power of Discipline to Bound by Fury to Isvarah. Whatever band this man fronts, you feel every ounce of passion poured into the mic.
Til this day, I still stand on my opinion that Isvarah is Manila's most dangerous band.
They will pound on you like nothing else.
They scare the SHIT out of me every single time they take the stage.
You WILL get hurt.
You might break something.
Don't tell me I didn't warn you when a wrecking ball hits you in the middle of the pit. Every single song they belt out turns into a cathartic experience and you will stand in awe staring at the devastation this band will leave. You will take attention at the power this band commands. I've been shooting Mot ever since Bulldozed (I think) and after all these years, he has lost not one ounce of ferocity and sincerity. For what it's worth, time has refined his presence onstage to purity.
Time might decay the body, but his presence, passion, and contribution to this subculture will live forever.
Again, Isvarah still remains Manila's most dangerous band and Motmot, the sharpest blade.
Remembering Motmot
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART Fundraiser Show (Feb. 2, 2013)
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“My brother passed away today...theres no words of comfort I can say that would change that he wouldn't even read this post. Life was really hard for him but he took away the bad days from so many messed up people like me..cant write shit no more. I prayed for you but you still vanish. Rest in peace my brother Motmot Isvarah you will live forever.”
~ Reypeace Bravo
“Naging mabuting kuya ka sa akin mula bata pa ako hanggang ngayon. Mahal na mahal ka namin ni utol, Motmot. Til we meet again.
Rest in power! ” ~ Konspira Zine
“...Kay Mot ko rin nakita ang essence ng DIY spirit at networking.
Hindi rin madamot ang mamang ito pagdating sa mga stuff na pinakikinggan nya, walang problema sa kanya magpakopya sa library ng record collection nya sa bahay basta sayo ang tape or blank CD, wala pa nun media streaming at download. Para sakin si Mot ang representasyon ng Pinoy UG scene.
Kung wala siguro ang isang Mot Matibag, kulang ang eksenang HC, Punk at metal sa Pilipinas.
Maraming salamat Mot, safe trip lang sa kabilang buhay.” ~ Ebong Liñan / Timog Bulletin
“ Ayaw ko pang maniwala knina.... sumakit bigla ulo ko't nanghina pagkatapos kong maka-usap anak mo at malamang wala ka na talaga....daming pagkakataon na miski tropa ko ndi ako naintindihan pero nandyan ka lagi tol.....ang mga salita mo ang pinakanasakit kapag wala na ko sa lugar at pinakakailangan ko kapag pakiramdam ko nag-iisa ako at walang kakampi...kung alam mo lang tol kung gaano kalaki ang naitulong ng mga pangaral mo tungkol sa realidad at pagharap dto upang patuloy na mabuhay at magtagumpay...tunay na pinagpala ang mga tunay na nakakilala sa pagkatao mo...mananatili ka sa puso nmin lahat.....There is no peace in this world sabi mo nga pero may you find peace and may the lord rest your soul....tunay na kaibigan, guro, kapatid...Love, Peace and Respect!
Love you, tol!” ~ Allen Rubis
“ I met Tomtom, in the late 80's, as Mr.Joseph Igor Agmata helped me remember, Tandem Recto, Manila was the place, He was wearing his boots, i think it was a copy of a pair of black redwing boots, with chains, sometimes with a red bandana wrap around the boot. I think he was called "tomtom' because of his build, he was like a big tomtom drum, As Igor told me, it was because of the Yagit teleserye, hehehe, Tomtom and my friends from Feu Roderick, Paul, they have a mutual friend from Sweden,Goran from SOD (Sounds of Disaster), We all shared the love for this thing called scene, punk rock, hardcore, thrash, crossover. We eventually became good friends, we been through many good and bad, and very bad times..
Namimiss ko pag nakuusap tayo about music, anger, spirituality,old habits and artsy fartsy,.
Pag tinatanong kita Mot " Anong nga tribe mo nun 80's sa paco? di ba Rebels ka nun ksama mo sila ollie?" Ang lagi mong sagot " gagu! Octobriana Lain" hehehe
Miss you old friend, Motmot. ” ~ Alain John Bascon Colcol
“Tomtom as he was fondly called by Old Skul Punks and Hard Cores are one of the punks close to Ollie and RDA’s heart. During RDA’s hibernation when Ferdie and Angelo were in training, Tomtom was one of those mates who encouraged Ollie to regroup RDA. Tomtom and Ollie were neighbors in Paco, Manila.
I don’t know why we didn't had the chance to perform side by side with his band Isvarah but we used to play along with his former powerful hard core band POD or Power Of Discipline. Tomtom’s loud, fierce and powerful voice always turns the house upside down and his hard core stuff will blow you away.
During the pre-FB era or during the time when FB was not yet that popular among the Filipinos, blogs were then dominant and when there are blogs tackling about Pinoy Punk Bands, Tomtom will always raise RDA in the blogs. He would always praise Ollie and RDA. A proud RDA friend and loyalist.
Tomtom, on behalf of RDA and Collision we wish you well to your new journey. May Almighty God guide your spirit to His Kingdom in Heaven. Thanks for the music and your dedication to the Philippine Underground Punk Scene. You will never be forgotten.
Rest In Peace Brother... ” ~ Gene Lorenzo
“An integral, irreplaceable part of Filipino independent music is now gone...forever. It is now up to us to keep his memory alive through his music, his words, by remembering what he stood for, and what he stood against. He was well-loved, yes, but there are still some that he rubbed the wrong way. Why? Because he stood his ground and spoke his mind...and that is how a life should be lived. He was unrelenting, unwavering, unafraid, and that is what makes him unforgettable. Much respect, Mot. Rest well. ” ~ Ron Schlander
“Back in the day, I mistook your willingness to embrace people I considered "posers" to be part of the underground scene as weakness. I held on to my puritanical beliefs with clenched fists. You embraced them with open arms and offered them friendship.
When I would not spend one second of my time with them, I often saw you welcoming them into your home and spending your days hanging out with them.
I thought you were weak. I was wrong. Your love for the scene was so pure that nobody was unworthy of it. That is true strength.
I may not be involved with the scene anymore, but I carry it with me every moment of my life and would not be the man I am today if it were not for those years we spent fighting for it.
You will be missed. ” ~ Atan
Watch more Isvarah/Bulldozed videos ⋙
Watch the videos at Motmot's youtube account: unbroken2k7 ⋙
Rest iIn Power, Mot!
Photo Credits: Keith Dador | Mel Dolorico | Video: Sannee Crapsalad
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