Tato Malay – A “Dean” in the Recording Business

TATO MALAY - A "DEAN" IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY 

by Butch Albarracin,

Founder and President
Center for Pop Music Philippines

If there’s one person in the field of music and entertainment industry whom I can refer to as the “Dean” in the recording business, he is Tato Malay. When I heard that he was writing the book “The Seven Universal Principles on how to become an Entertainment Celebrity,” I thought that it was the most logical thing for him to do. With all his vast experience in various aspects of recording, radio and television, his thoughts will certainly benefit a lot of aspiring recording artists. A singer can’t live without this book.

Tato has impressed me as a principled person. While he thinks business, he never compromises what he strongly believes in. I’ve been amazed with his decision to shy away from any project which is in conflict with his principles even if it will cost him his job. Definitely, we are running short of people like him

One thing admirable about him is that he doesn’t get stuck in his era of music. He has the ears and the eyes for something new in the industry. Although Tato has passed through various musical influences, he continuously tries to discover new sounds and artists for future pop music trends. Thus, he has greatly contributed to the introduction of “new music” for the new generation.

Tato is also visionary. Programs and activities that involve entertainment initiatives for spiritual and positive messages have a soft spot in his heart. He believes that the youth plays an important role in bringing a social change. Convinced with his vision, Tato and I agreed to launch the new “Sing-Out Philippines”, a singing group trained at the Center for Pop Music Philippines that will serve as the youth ambassadors of love and peace through songs with positive messages. Through Tato’s effort, the group is now enjoying exposure in concerts, mall shows and television performances.

Aim & Values for the 21st Century

Aims and Values for the 21st Century
(Excerpts from the speech of Tato Malay delivered during the MRA – Initiatives of Change conference held in Caux, Switzerland last July 22, 2000)

In terms of social and political unity and economic development, the Philippines today lags behind its rapidly developing neighbors in Southeast Asia. The majority of its people remained mired in poverty, divided by a large gap between the rich and the poor, unable as yet, to fully muster the discipline, the drive, the social and political cohesiveness and will to uplift themselves up from the mire of underdevelopment. More alarming than its lack of resources, huge national debt and unemployment woes is the value system imbedded in the Filipino psyche. A value system that has, in large part impaired the Filipino’s ability to rise above his lot, shift his focus from himself, take responsibility and consider himself part of a collective whole in terms of shaping the national destiny.

Among the deadlier components of this value system are a sense of apathy and uninvolvement- “the nation’s problems are someone else’s fault and responsibility- not mine,” a double standard morality- where appearances, what other people will say, determines behavior, rather than rock-solid personal convictions of right and wrong, and a personal commitment to adhere to what is right whether or not there is a policing or surveilling authority; lack of discipline, diligence and perseverance- the desire for the “quick fix,” immediate gratification, for living it up here and now; backward religiosity and a faulty concept of God and His expectations of man- the measuring of Christianity by the externals; by rituals and paraphernalia rather than the evidence of inner renewal and the power to live the Christ-like way of life. That is, the ability to be genuinely concerned for the common good; the development of a true work ethic- “whatever thy hands find to do, do to the best of your ability; more sincerity and integrity in the national character; respect for the law and authority as one’s duty before God; a higher standard of morality; proper stewardship of wealth and natural resources triggered by a sense of personal accountability before God; true desire for social unity, peace and progress flowing from an inner compulsion to obey the directive to “love thy neighbor.”

There is a saying that every nation that rises and falls, rises or falls first from within. If Filipinos are to rise above their present state of affairs, the work has to begin from within. There must be an overhauling and a reshaping of their value system. True national development can only begin from the development of the individual Filipino’s character.

And what shapes his character? During the recent elections, educated Filipinos were both appalled and amazed to find that nearly every entertainment personality that entered the contest won the votes. Our lack of cultural depth, or a dominant and authoritative governing force have made entertainers and the entertainment field perhaps the most influential, most socially binding force. Already, Filipinos have been listed as the most avid moviegoers (and movie makers) in Asia, if not the world. Entertainment personalities, and the values they espouse have become the models and trendsetters fo every household.

A grave and heavy responsibility is given to entertainers and the entertainment industry as a whole. But at the moment, it is neither aware nor concerned. This proposal is to ensure that it begins to be both. This proposal is devoted to the formation of a non-profit organization called Entertainment Initiatives for Changing Times. Its objective is to mobilize the entertainment industry, with stress on the movie, television, and music industries, which are the most pervasive nationwide, as a force for values, and ultimately social buildup and change. It seeks to combine both entertainment and developmental goals of captivating audiences and subliminally transforming them from within. It seeks the participation, cooperation and commitment of socially- responsible, development-oriented entertainers within the industry, as well as those in the political field.

The objective of Entertainment Initiatives for Changing Times is to launch mass appeal shows, or work through existing ones precisely for the purpose of modeling and promoting the values so vitally necessary for shaping what the Filipino thinks, believes and acts out in life. Artists, producers, directors, and other creative talents from the film, stage, music and broadcast industries will be tapped to join forces for a very pressing purpose; to disseminate and instill direly needed positive moral, social and spiritual values, through a potent, but largely self-serving and unharnessed entertainment industry.

Several years ago I hosted a youth-oriented radio program called “Boses Ng Kabataan”(Voice of the Youth), in Radio Veritas, together with high school and college students (Mikee Cojuangco, Princess Punzalan, Lei Bautista of Prettier than Pink among others). We offered our young listeners new lifestyles that helped develop in them positive and wholesome self-images, formation of worthwhile goals and ambitions, and the acquisition of Christian values and attitudes that made them strong and enabled them to understand the harmful forces controlling our society.

I also produced and hosted a one-hour musical radio program in Radio Veritas entitled “Great Values from Great Songs,” where listeners were given a chance not only to listen but also to reflect on the meaning and significance of the lyrics of some of the most beautiful and memorable songs we have heard through the years. Each song was introduced by a one or two-minute spiel that brought out hidden truths, golden insights, and yes, great values from the lyrics of each song like love of neighbor, honesty, the readiness to forgive, a willingness to turn the other cheek, choosing spiritual rewards over materialism. The premise is that music is perhaps one of the most subtle, yet powerfully influential medium for forming mindsets and changing perspectives. It is able to invade and shape the subconscious by repetition and constant exposure of its message. The music industry can create a new culture, particularly youth culture. It can shape values and lifestyles of the young.

Music in reality belongs to the industry of communication. It is an outlet, an expression of our emotions. Music can also communicate negative messages. Songs whose lyrics promote sex, drugs, freedom from commitment and responsibility have negative effects in our emotional lives. Slowly, our way of thinking is affected and over a period of time we wake up and discover that the situations that used to shock us are now amusing and tolerable.

What I call as Devcons or Developmental Concerts were also started a few years back. I produced, together with some celebrities, concert tours in key cities and provinces and had singers (Marco Sison, Bimbo Cerrudo, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Miguel Vera, Christopher de Leon and many more) together in one show sing inspirational songs and even had them share to the audience how the messages of those songs touched their lives.

I was also involved in a nationwide tour of an all-celebrity basketball and volleyball teams composed of superstars (Christopher de Leon, Rez Cortez, Beverly Vergel, Sandy Andolong, Bembol Roco, Jackie Aquino, and many more). In between games, the stars talked about relevant issues like drug addiction, environmental concerns, and spiritual matters.

There have been many movie and television producers who have produced spiritually uplifting movies based on the lives of saints, and also inspiring films based on the lives of our national heroes and even ordinary citizens who made a difference in their lives.

The concept of using entertainment for developmental and transformational purposes is already happening but I want more participation and commitment from everyone in the entertainment industry to become socially responsible and development oriented. I wish to transform the business of entertainment into another form of public service.

KAMALAYAN LIBRARY CAFE IN BAGUIO CITY.

Kamalayan Library Café in Baguio City



by Tato Malay

Why do I live now in Baguio Cty and why did I put up a library café here? Why not? I love the place and besides, Baguio is considered a university town. Why a library? Because I have hundreds of books I collected through the years and I want to share them with others. I could have sold them or have given them away but what I realized was that I became successful in my different careers by reading these books. Let me start by sharing that I never studied, or rather, took my studies seriously during my elementary, high school, and college years. All that was required of me by my parents was a diploma. I did the worst to ensure my graduation. I befriended my teachers, bribed my classmates to do my home work, or simply just failed some subjects and took them up again.

When I finally graduated from college, I applied for jobs in different companies but was not accepted because I failed the IQ tests. It dawned on me that I never learned anything from school and even the few things I learned could not even help me get a decent job. I felt sort of depressed and it made me decide to do something about my life. I started reading my old textbooks thinking that I could make up for the lost time. Then I met an old friend who graduated summa cum laude from a prestigious school. I told him how lucky he was to have a good job and how miserable my case was. What he told me was something that completely changed my life. He said that I was luckier because he had a hard time unlearning most of the things he learned from school and here I was with nothing to unlearn. I felt insulted but he continued and suggested that I could read and study the newest books and learn the latest concepts which are relevant in this day and age without much struggle in unlearning deeply embedded, outmoded beliefs like what he had experienced.
I made the bookstores my library and searched for information which would provide me the new knowledge I needed to become successful. I read and bought as many as 15 books a month by authors like John Naisbit, Deepak Chopra, Robert Kiyosaki, Wayne Dyer, Ernest Holmes, Marilyn Ferguson, Stephen Covey, AlvinToffler, Anthony Robbins, and practiced whatever lessons I learned from them. I simply learned how to learn and got myself into a life- long-learning process.





I remember visiting a friend in his office where I met and conversed with the owner of the company he worked for. His boss was amazed with the modern knowledge I shared. To my friend’s surprise, I was offered by his boss to manage a big department in their company. I became too successful doing the job and was offered free travels abroad, a new car, and a fat salary. Months later, I was pirated by another company and I never had to apply for a job from then on. As a matter of fact, I‘d even resign from one company and immediately I would be offered by another competing company.

By studying modern books, I was able to develop two intelligences which I took for granted in my early years. I honed my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in the process. The books I read were mostly about relationships and knowing about oneself. Later did I realize that I transformed into a better person. When low moments came into my life, I motivated and talked myself out of those situations and came out a winner. I created a new level of consciousness in me. Whatever I wanted, I was able to manifest it easily in my life. I discovered new principles and a new way of thinking which were very powerful. Had I learned these principles before when I was still a student, I could have radically changed the course of my life much earlier. I discovered that I can train my right brain which dealt with creativity, emotions, and the unknown, and eventually learned to use also my neglected left brain which dealt with logic, mathematics, and facts, which were what I needed when I was in school. It was only now that I realized how our educational system can become transformational by teaching whole- brain thinking.

In this period of great change due to technological advancements, traditional lifestyles and careers have become obsolete. A new way of thinking brought about by holistic education or education of the whole person is needed to survive in this 21st century. Learning –how- to learn and life- long- learning processes are what’s necessary now. This is where I think my Kamalayan (Consciousness) Library Café will be able to help address this need. Many already have joined learning groups dealing with interesting new concepts found in modern books like A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch, and A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber. These books should be required reading not only for students but most especially for teachers. We can transform culture through education only if the teachers themselves are transformed first. A new world will emerge if we change the content of education of our children.
The Kamalayan Library Café is found inside the King’s Court Bldg, 31 Rimando Road, Baguio City.