Eraserheads, Voltes V and the fight against oppression

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THE weapon known as the ultra electromagnetic top, similar to a spinning top, that Voltes V launched from inside its body became the inspiration behind the groundbreaking album by Eraserheads, “Ultraelectromagneticpop!”.

The album contains the songs “Shake Yer Head”, “Toyang”, “Ligaya”, “Tindahan ni Aling Nena”, “Pare Ko”, “Shirley” and “Maling Akala”.

The University of the Philippines (UP) played a special role in the formation of the Eraserheads since they started performing in the Diliman campus in the 1990s, consisting of Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, Ely Buendia and Marcus Adoro, Zabala and Marasigan are my colleagues. in the room. for two years (1989 to 1991) in the UP Molave ​​dorm during my last years in college.

Since its formation in 1989, the Eraserheads have released seven studio albums, 44 singles, a live album, four compilation albums, 10 music videos and three extended plays.

I always go out every time to use our room which is their “practice area” because I can’t study because of the “noise” they create.

It’s beyond my understanding that the “noise” I’m avoiding identifies them as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in OPM history, earning them the accolade of “The Beatles of the Philippines.”

I was only seven years old when the Japanese anime television series Voltes V first aired in the Philippines on May 5, 1978 on GMA Network.

As children of the 1970s, we used to rush home from school to watch the daily airing from 6:00 to 6:30 pm of the Japanese robot anime: Mekanda on Monday, Daimos on Tuesday, Mazinger Z on Wednesday, UFO Grendizer on Thursdays, while Friday is reserved for the last rating-raking Voltes V.

The cartoon series is about an alien race of horned people from the planet Boazania to conquer Earth. It’s up to Voltes V to defeat the giant robots of the Boazanians, known as beast fighters, sent to destroy the planet.

I was happy when my father bought me a plastic Voltes V toy but I was jealous of a cousin’s metal version with detachable parts.

Forty-five years later, the series was revived this year through GMA Network’s Voltes V: Legacy which acquired the rights to make a live-action adaptation through Telesuccess Productions, Toei’s Philippine licensee. It made its television debut on May 8, 2023.

Directed by Mark Reyes V, it stars Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Matt Lozano as Robert “Big Bert” Armstrong, Raphael Landicho as “Little Jon” Armstrong and Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson.

I had the opportunity to watch the theatrical version Voltes V: Legacy – The Cinematic Experience through a special block screening on GMA Pinoy TV. The 107 minute movie contains content from the first 15 of the 80 episodes of the television series.

The block screening of Voltez V Legacy last April coincided with the celebration of National Intellectual Property Month. It aims to develop public appreciation of the importance of intellectual property in relation to the social, cultural, economic and technological development of the country.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhil) is now collaborating with GMA in their “STREAM RESPONSIBLY” campaign to educate the public against piracy especially now that illegal streaming of content is one of the popular sources of entertainment. of Filipinos.

Multi-awarded visual artist Toym Imao said that his artworks featuring the Japanese cartoon “Voltes V” cannot be separated from the discussion of Martial Law and the Marcos regime.

Voltes V may not be provocative and radical in the traditional sense but its story carries the idea of ​​revolution and resistance. Boazania was also under dictatorial rule from a despotic emperor, who faced revolt from Boazania who were discriminated against and enslaved simply because they did not have horns.

In 1979, before the end of the series, President Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive banning Voltes V and other similarly themed anime series due to concerns about “excessive violence”.

The directive also led to speculations that the series was also taken off air due to its revolutionary movements.

Many of Toym’s sculptures and paintings were inspired by his childhood memories of the censorship of an authoritarian regime when his favorite Super Robot cartoons as well as video arcades, were canceled due to their allegedly inappropriate content. impact on the minds of young people. It is symbolic of how government forces tried to control the freedom of Filipinos in the past.

The music of the Eraserheads and the Voltes V are reminders of the innocence and enthusiasm of our youth. The famous line “Let’s Volt In!” a call for us to continue the fight against oppression and that fighting for freedom is a noble and worthy cause.

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