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By Angelique P. Manalad
WE first saw him as the front man
and main composer of the band Dicta License churning out songs laced
with nationalistic lyrics. Now that the group disbanded, 26-year-old
musician Pochoy Labog gears up to embark into a new career as a
lawyer after passing the grueling Bar examination. With this new
conquest, Labog is off to prove that “he can rock” not only as a
singer but as a lawyer as well.
Labog, who had his eyes set
on going to law school in high school, took up Philosophy at the
Ateneo de Manila University to prepare himself for the goal.
“I was really argumentative
even when I was younger and I look up to my grandfather, Eligio
Labog, who is probably one of the best lawyers Isabela had ever
produced,” he narrates with nostalgia. The whole family fully
approves of his plans of studying law.
While attending law school,
Labog has proven his mettle as a musician when his band Dicta
License managed to release its first album Paghilom in 2006. It was
also during this time that he enthusiastically participated in the
activities of Gawad Kalinga and RockEd, two organizations known for
their effort in uplifting the condition and consciousness of the
Filipino youth. It’s a tough act then balancing his busy studies
with his band’s gigs, he admits. The set up was further
complicated by the fact that two of his band mates, Boogie Romero
and Kelly Mangahas were also having problems dividing their time
performing in Dicta License and Kjwan, another band. When the
situation became unbearable, the group finally disbanded, leaving
Labog all focused on his studies.
For Labog, passing the Bar
exam means he will be able to work as a lawyer in the field he’s
been eyeing for so long—the patenting of intellectual properties
that encompasses music, art and inventions. Though exited for his
new line of work, Labog refuses to say that music has taken the
backseat in his life. “Music is my main passion, it will always be
there,” he stresses. Labog explains that besides music, he enjoys
practicing law and is happy being paid doing what he loves.
“It’s where I want to be,” he intones.
Labog relates that he once
thought of entering politics but decided against it after pondering
that the idea of “selling yourself” is simply out of his
character. “Maybe if I suddenly get appointed, why not?” He
cajoles.
Despite the discouraging
situation in the country, Labog believes that there is hope.
“There should always be hope for if there’s none then
everything’s just dead. There’s no need to point finger to
anyone. Like what I’ve written in one of my songs, ‘Mas matalas
and dila pag may bisig.’ We just have to be responsible as
citizens and try to get across the barriers of social class. It must
be a conscious effort for each Filipino, every little act counts,”
he admonishes, adding, “What’s wrong with people, not just
Filipinos is that we tend to force things to happen even if we sense
that divine will is against it. We forget that it’s always God
who’s in control.” With such a comment, Labog makes a
clarification, “I am not a religious man though I am spiritual. I
have a good relationship with God and that’s what matters.”
Labog expresses his desire to
come back to the music industry but emphasizes that the timing has
to be right. He strongly believes that music is a very powerful tool
to espouse hope and peace in our nation. Labog is also proud of the
fact that the Filipino artist is at par with his foreign
counterparts.
For now, the musician turned
lawyer is confident that he would be able to straddle himself
between the two careers in due time. As a parting shot, he
encourages everyone to just pursue his or her passion, “I’ve
read these lines somewhere and I believe in them: ‘Don’t ask
yourself what the world needs, instead ask yourself what makes you
come alive and do that. Because what the world needs are people who
come alive.’ [- A quote from the late theologian and civil rights
leader Howard Thurman, who was also a contemporary of the late US
President Kennedy who famously said, ‘Ask not what your country
can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.’-Editor]”
Before, Labog tries to instill
positive change with his songs but now; the arena where he moves is
a little different. “I’m not perfect but will do my best to do
my part. It has to start with your own self. One thing is for sure
though, I wouldn’t be a traditional lawyer,” he concludes.
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