LOCKDOWN Collaboration : Tribute to Frontliners

By VW Mckentyre V. Cabrera, PJGL (188)

During the COVID-19 Pandemic that caused the nationwide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), some of our brother DeMolays and Dad Masons managed to keep the good vibes alive through a rock band called, "Lockdown". The band collaboration was named as such due to the prevailing condition in the Philippines then. The group is comprised of Brethren, all six belong to different bands - Bro. Mcken is from Juan Erection; Bro. Jason is from Agos, Neruda and Molay; Bros. Albert and Benjie, are from Rough Ashlar; Bro. Jazer is from Jackhammer, Manoy and St. Cockpit; while Bro. Jet is from Rusamenco. Kuya Jazer is also the president of Bandidos Productions. Kuya Albert and yours truly took the initiative emanating from a post from the Musikerong Mason Facebook Page to form the online band. Our goal is to pay tribute to all our frontliners by playing musical renditions from famous bands ranging from 70's rock, New Wave, to Modern Contemporary Rock. For everyone to enjoy and relive the songs during their yesteryears. Like other groups, Lockdown was challenged with peculiar circumstances in recording our collaborations as we are far apart from each other, with our varying schedules and personal time zones; there was really no chance for everyone to sit down at any given time and play even a single track. As a solution, each band member records their part individually, guided only by a backing track. Each recording was sent to Bros. Albert and Jason who finished the mixing. The finished rendition is then posted in various social media platforms. The intermittent WiFi connection in our respective locations further added to the problem and has become the main reason of delays. Our first collaboration was - He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother; a hit song by The Hollies and has been an all-time favorite by Masons, whithersoever dispersed. This collaboration was Lockdown’s maiden performance dedicated to all frontliners; hence, the very

Alberto "Albert" Dumlao Backing Vocals & Keyboard (Malolos 46) Benjamin "Benjie" Cajucom Bass Guitar (Malolos 46) Jason Grospe Vocals & Lead Guitar (Dr. Felipe Leaño Chapter, IOD)

heart and soul of forming the band. The cover was performed with the special participation of Bro. Sernan P. Donacao (Bagong Buhay 17) who wrote the following intro for the band’s first video:

Alas we bear witness to another great battle The unseen enemy we couldn’t kill Where streets are empty and guns are silent Swords are sheathed, untainted by blood. Where battle hardened warriors are confined to their posts without relief, A different breed of enemy created a different breed of heroes…

Our heroes The Heroes of our Generation

Heroes of peace Heroes sustaining life Heroes alive and fallen Some with operative tools Others with secret symbols But heroes nonetheless To the brave men, women, and widows sons You shall forever be remembered as… The saviors of this generation SMIB!

Our Interstate Love Song cover featured - Bro. Dan Leal Munar (San Miguel de Mayumo 412) doing the bass lines. Lockdown’s most notable rendition

by Tears For Fears was well received by the Masonic Family as well as the netizens in the music community. Since March 2020, the band has already made 15 collaborations and can be watched in Facebook at https://

and at Youtube (thru Juan Erection channel) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=

FRk_c for Generation X to enjoy and relive the songs during their yesteryears. Lockdown have not made any live performance as of this writing due to quarantine limitations caused by Covid19 surges. On March 28, 2021, it will be the band’s 1st year anniversary. Will there be an online performance? We do not know yet, but we’ll see. Perhaps, continuous public demand at their Facebook page might help them decide. Music lovers can send their inquiries through the Band’s Facebook page Message button addressed to Kuyang Albert Dumlao, “aka Kumander Agila”.

Jason Jacob "Jazer" Serrano Drums & Percussion (Pulo ng Iilan 439) Godfrey "Jet" Beray Lead & Rhythm Guitar (Graciano Lopez Jaena 194) Mcken "Mac" V. Cabrera Vocals & Rhythm Guitars (Saigon Lodge No. 188)