Singing their last song

One afternoon, I received an SMS from Danica, a fellow Haler whom I treat as a “niece”. Her SMS did not explicitly state that Hale was disbanding; you just had to read between the lines.

True enough, last August 6, through a press release in Manila Bulletin entitled “Hale is no more”, PolyEast Records announced to us fans the “amicable break-up.”

Not that I was expecting it, but I had fears that it would be just a matter of time, especially after Champ (Lui Pio, Hale’s vocalist and main songwriter) signed up with Viva Films to pursue an acting career.

Hale was composed of Champ, Roll Martinez, Sheldon Gellada, and Paolo Santiago (who replaced Omnie Saroca in late 2008).

My two-year love affair with Hale was one that even my husband greatly tolerated - an addiction Alex gamely took in stride.

It all started when we attended a gig with my daughter, and from then on, I was hooked. We began going to where Hale was, never mind if we had to buy the CDs again and again just to gain entrance to the concert. Our mother-and-daughter team became a familiar sight that the band and fellow Halers would recognize us each time.

I was also an active e-group member. I will never forget the Halers get-together and album-listening day one afternoon where we first met Champ’s family, Sheldon’s sister, and my “young” friends who would later call me “Tita.”  

Cae has her Hale jacket. We both have shirts, buttons and autographed posters, song mags and tarps.

Like my indulgent father during my Francis Magalona and PBA obsession years, Alex would never hesitate driving us to and from gigs. Sometimes, he would put up with the one-hour-and-a-half shows and would marvel at the fact that Champ would acknowledge our presence and take the time to talk to us afterwards. Later on he decided he liked all the songs in Above, Over and Beyond (AOB is Hale’s third album).

“Ok rin po kayo, Tito ah,” I remember Champ telling him after a gig at 19 East. And I said, “Alam mo bang, kabisado na din niya ang AOB album ninyo? Kasi yun ang lagi niyang pinapatugtog sa kotse.” Champ was delighted. I didn’t tell him we have four copies of the CD.

Pao is another story. The first time I saw him play the drums, I was astounded. Of course, Omnie was also a great drummer, but Pao was something else. Ang galing, ibang klase ang energy. “Nag-Cobra ka yata,” I told him after a show in Pavilion Mall. His chemistry with Champ on stage was also evident.

I bumped into Roll and Sheldon at the Festival Mall on two separate occasions. It was a day or two after Shel’s birthday and he seemed to be pleasantly surprised when I greeted him. On the other hand, Roll must have thought I was weird since what I asked was, “How’s Champ?” instead of asking him how he was.

Why Hale, one would ask.

Their songs, for me, have the best and most meaningful codas I have ever heard. While “The Day You Said Goodnight” is indisputably the most popular, the lyrics of Broken Sonnet (But still I see the tears from your eyes Maybe I'm just not the one for you), The Ballad Of (There are 8 billion people in this world 8 billions live are changing and you're the one I need), and Shooting Star (You're walking away I'll be seeing you through a satellite If you go Then I'm walking away) are the most poignant.

Their songs make me feel younger.

And I guess
This is love
That I feel
And I’m falling for you
You’re the song
In my head
And it feels
That I’m falling for you
(This is A Happy Song)

Ihataw natin
Hindi tayo hihinto
Lahat ay maligalig
Hindi mapapagod
(Kalesa)

Believe it or not, these songs are able to relax me. Whenever I am sleepy, stressed out or tired, I just play the songs in my mobile phone and everything becomes serene.

My favorite videos are Kung Wala Ka, Shooting Star, and yes, Magkaibang Mundo (their final video). As they say, save the best for last.

Whenever we wouldn’t make it to a gig (on a weekday, too late, too far, etc.), I took it hard. The last gig Cae and I went to was the one in Southville, Biñan last April.

The disbanding drew mixed reaction from Halers. Of course, it was inevitable.

All of us were sad.
Being a supporter for 6years, it’s really hard for me to accept that the band who
done (sic) a big changed (sic) in my life will be gone for good…

d ko parin tlga mtanggap n wala ng hale... buong gabi ako umiyak dahil sa
balitang yun. naging part n ng buhay ko ang hale. super nice nla eh... sobrang
mamamiss ko sila. :(

Some got mad and felt betrayed.
Bakit ganun lang ang pag-announce niyo ng paghihiwalay ng banda? Press Release? Seriously?!!! After following you for so many years, ganun-ganun lang? It's like being in a relationship for 7 years and all you give me is a text message saying, "We're over". Where's the love?

are realy HALE disbanding?!?!?!?!
wat come on!!! no fair !!!!! i didnt even got the chance to see you live!!!! no
f*****g fair!!!!! u guys and ur music are the ones that actualy got me to
realise some serious stuff about life!!! its realy no fair!!!! ever since i
found out about you guyz i always wanted of coming back to philippines just to
see u live!! its no fair! no fair!!!

Some decided to be understanding and forgiving.
Maybe we should also consider what is the reason behind why they were able to come up with their decision (sic). It's sad, but we cannot still impose what we want them to do, they are also individuals like us.

Some are still puzzled and are in denial.
Walang malinaw na explanation.
Walang proper goodbye.

Some are clueless.
totoo ba?? magdidisband na ang hale????? waaahh!!!

As I was telling all these to Alex during a trip to Mauban, Quezon (during which I brought with me all four albums of Hale to keep us company during the three-hour drive), he asked me, “Ikaw, anong feeling mo?”

Honestly, I said I felt it was coming when Champ decided he’d try showbiz. Although I was hoping for a major concert, another album, and mall tours, I thought this was kind of a graceful exit, quitting while they were ahead, instead of coming up with albums full of cover songs. Or just fading away, unnoticed.

As one of their songs goes:
I hope you understand
We need to take a bow
We're done the curtains must come down
(The End)

Yes, it was too soon. And to me, all feelings (expressed by the Halers) were valid, even anger and betrayal. Perhaps, we loved them too much. But because we loved them too much, we will give in…and let go.

It's too soon
For you to go
Away from us
Where are you going
When will I see you again…
Please don't worry
We're all doing fine
Taking it nice and slow
We are so proud of you
(Requiem)

We understand
It’s time to go home. Let’s call it a day
(Toll Gate)

But hey,
Tuloy ang awit sa ilalim ng tala
(Magkaibang Mundo)