‘Damned Nation’

Patricia Evangelista

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“Damned Nation” is the title song of an album released one year after the 1986 People Power.

MANILA, Philippines – “Damned Nation” is the title song of an album released by a band of teenagers one year after the 1986 People Power Revolution. Co-founded by brothers Jay and Al Dimalanta, Damned Nation was Dead Ends’ third album, with Al on guitar, Jay on bass, and Harley Alarcon on drums.

It was the heydey of punk rock, and Dead Ends was at the center of the action. Al is the son of the late writer Ophelia Dimalanta. He describes himself as a writer, professor, musician, marketing communicator, and photographer. Both Al and Jay were part of the crowd of civilians that filled Edsa during the Marcos overthrow.

“The songs there were reflective of what was happening at that time. We were teeners then and we weren’t really happy about how things turned out after the Edsa Revolution.”

Dead Ends disbanded in the late eighties, then reformed in 1994 with guitarist Lourd De Veyra and drummer Bong Montojo. Their fourth album, “Mamatay sa Ingay,” was released in 1995 to much critical acclaim. It became the band’s final album after Jay Dimalanta passed away on November 1996.

Al believes that the lyrics of many of the album’s songs are still relevant today, particularly the title cut.

The songs were written as expression, as protest, and with the hope of inspiring change.

“Plus, to ruffle a few feathers. Of course I still believe we can be catalysts for positive change. Any change will do.”

Al is now vocalist and guitarist for punk rock band Throw, with Dennis Maniego on bass, Spyk Maniego on drums, and Alan Roldan on guitars.  – Rappler.com


(Video by Patricia Evangelista, Adrian Portugal and David Yu Santos. Editing by Patricia Evangelista. Produced by Patricia Evangelista and Erwin Romulo)

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