Paul Toledo – Rod Stewart of the Philppines
One of many unsung
heroes and seldom mentioned OPM artist from the 70’s thru the 80’s was Paul
Toledo.
Born in Silang,
Cavite, Paul Toledo started out as the vocalist and guitarist of the band
New Faces with Rey Sanchez also on vocals and guitars, Bonjing Sanchez on
drums, Bing Quiambao on keys, Boy San Jose on bass and Jimi Galvea on 2nd
guitars and 2nd keys. From 1973-1974, Paul toured the highlands of Olongapo and
jammed with some local greats. Paul also became a member of Griffins Band who
regularly performs in RJTV. After this, he had a short stint in Kyoto, Japan as
the bandleader of Family Size Band with Nony Cabalfin on bass, Tommy Simon on
1st lead guitar, Danny Dagdayan on Keys anf Manny Salvador on drums. This was
in the late 70’s.
Paul Toledo rose
from the ranks from singing in bars and bistros in and around Metro Manila. His
course and husky voice earned him the moniker ‘Rod Stewart of the Philippines’.
A moniker he is thankful. He was a regular fixture of RJTV, who interviews
guests, pinch-hits for Ramon Jacinto and performs as well.
His songs, laced
with a dab of satire and humor, are sometimes misinterpreted as novelty and
politically incorrect. “Lumba-lumba” (dolphins), opines his love for the
plus-sized women over slim ones. [Nais kong malaman nyo, ayaw ko ng babaeng
puro buto. Ang gusto kong babae’y singlapad ng barko, kahit ‘di pakainin sexing
sexy pa din]. “Pa Japan Japan”, is about the rewards of being employed in Japan
as a Japayuki. [Pa Japan Japan ka na ngayon, natupad din ang iyong ambisyon. Pa
Japan Japan, pa hapon hapon bakit salita mo’y nagkaganun]. “Pa Sosyal Sosyal”,
tells about an anti-miser attitude of some Pinoys, come social climber for the
world to envy and see, but could not support it due his meager salary.
[Pasosyal sosyal, hilig mo ay layaw ng katawan. Pasosyal sosyal, isip mo’y
mayaman].
In 1984, Paul
Toledo’s song ‘Buntong Hininga’ was part of the collection of songs that was
featured in the landmark seminal film by Lino Brocka, Sister Stella L. [Dahil
sa maling pamalakad, negosyo ko’y bumagsak. Barkada’y naglahong lahat, ako’y
nagkamulat].
During his career
as a singer and a songwriter, he made one solo album, namely You Are The One.
His song ‘Lumba lumba’ was included in Bonggang Bongga (as part of a 42-song
compilation). There are other locally produced compilation album which
includes some of his work.
Paul Toledo expired last March 2011 from a heart attack, while inside a taxi in a southern Manila suburb.
