By WAKU SAUNAR
The ’90s gave us great bands armed with memorable tunes, The Introvoys among them.
Who could ever forget Jonathan, Paco, Vic, and the rest of the gang, what with their hits “Maynila, “‘Di Na Ko Aasa Pa,” “Will I Survive,” and “Line To Heaven,” among many others, still being sung in karaoke bars?
While the band have received numerous accolades left and right, one of them – a secret member – has been obviously overlooked: Eduardo” Otchot” Cortes.
Cortes, 56, a bank associate by profession, learned to appreciate music at a young age. He was taught to play guitar by an uncle as with Cesar Romero of the Horoscope band.
“My dad was a classical pianist kaya laging may tugtugan sa bahay. I picked up the guitar at 12 tapos ayun banda na.
Si Paco, drummer ng Introvoys, first cousin ko. Lagi sa bahay at mga gigs… bata pa siya noon. Tapos nu’ng medyo nagka-edad na siya nagpatulong sa banda nila, sa Introvoys… Mga kanta ko ang una nila ginamit. I continued writing songs for them kahit nu’ng sikat na sila.”
He recalls some Introvoys tunes he wrote and co-wrote.
“’Yung isang ni-record nila was ‘Living my Life’ at ‘Ang Sabi Niya Sa Akin.’ ’Yung ‘Tell me Why,’ dalawa kami ni Paco gumawa. Tapos may ginawa din ako sa album ng ex niya, si Geneva (Cruz) titled ‘Magkaibang Mundo.’ Marami pa pero iba nakalimutan ko na,” says Cortes.
Asked where he got his ideas for these songs, Cortes answers, “Love, una pero madami. Bata pa ako nu’n eh. Nung medyo tumanda na, I wrote about loss at saka rebellion. Kadalasan ’yung mga rock songs ko walang direction, feeling malalim lang ang kahulugan, mataas lang pala amats.”
Cortes has maintained a healthy relationship with all members of the Introvoys.
“Oo naman, we are like family. Si Paco is coming home in July may concert siya dito,” says Cortes.
Cortes advises aspiring musicians and songwriters to simply “write.”
“Playing music by others is just to hone your skills and make you a better musician. But your ultimate goal is creating your own material. Iba satisfaction nu’n and always keep a pen and notebook in hand whenever, wherever.”
