The Making 0f Eca Mamaco

Nostalgia. My brother Chito's notes on the Eca Mamaco MTV:
6 years ago, July 2006, when the FBB reunion planning committee was conceiving of a theme for the forthcoming 31st Bautista-Bautista-Carrillo Family reunion in December, the idea of not forgetting the Bautista roots was seeded by KoTon and Teresa to Tita Tessie.

KoTon’s concept dwelt on looking at the future through the past which Teresa translated in words “E mu cacalinguan, Bautista ca.”

The idea eventually evolved as a song presentation using the original Pampango lyrics of ”E ca mamaco”, popularly believed to be composed by Lolo Felix Bautista. To put life to the song, Tessa visualized an audio video presentation featuring family members’ old and contemporary photos against the soundtrack of the familiar Pampango folk music.

Encouraged by the general excitement and acceptance, Teresa initiated the planning and production of an MTV funding the creation of a musical bed, minus one and a dummy soundtrack.

Initially assessed by the oldies Tita Betts and Tita Tessie even Ate Corrie, inputs on the raw output were provided centering on the correct syntax, pronunciation and structure. As further enhancements were made, old photos were collected coming mainly from the files of Tita Tessie, the Razon’s and even the Vergara’s and the Carrillo’s. Contemporary photos were grabbed from the files of Mayo Bautista and other younger photographers.

As the line producer of the project, Tessa working with husband Raul laid in the final soundtrack and oversaw the appropriate use and transition of the visuals. Tita Tessie saw it appropriate to end the presentation with Tatat and even provided a bookmark with Tatat’s picture as a material for digital scanning.

3 December 2006, in the air conditioned social hall of the Carrillo’s at the Don Enriquez Subdivision in Quezon City watched by about 200 relatives, “E Ca Mamaco” was premiered and warmly received by relatives and friends. Using technology, the video was privately circulated all over the world to share the message of not forgetting one’s roots, that of a Bautista. (It was on the same reunion when we launched Tita Nette's book Dear Pamangkin. to immortalize her letters to her pamangkins.)

Because of the association of the MTV with Teresa and the use of her voice in the raw outputs, it has created an urban myth that she sang the soundtrack. We leave it at that, a myth.

In the 37th Bautista-Bautista-Carrillo reunion hosted by the FBB at the Bel Air Multipurpose Hall in Makati, “E Ca Mamaco” in its original edit was aired to close the glorious family reunion as requested by the birthday celebrant Tita Tessie.

Six years after its premiere, “E Ca Mamaco” still evokes the same message but with a deeper appreciation for its intention because so many milestone events have happened and a stronger call of bonding is needed. The presentation reminds us that the Bautista will endure because “E mu cacalinguan, Bautista ca.”

Thanks to all who helped make it happen. Maligayang Pasko!

http://tochsarchives.blogspot.com/2012/12/e-ca-mamaco.htm
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