Greetings Philip! How's the fucking holiday of the band? Did you guys enjoy it?
Hail to you Roy and to all the readers of underworld," yes our holiday was great. We went vacation to El Nido we spend our Christmas and New year in Pag-asa Subd.,Cavite together with our mom.

Tell us the history of Friendship7, the punks behind it & the releases that you have made so far? Why use 'Friendship7', what does it mean to you?
The History of it is very long, lets start with me and Alex, 1993 when we bought a complete set of combo instruments (But the cheap ones) we learned to play for a year. 1994, we started playing our original songs, by that time Pinoy Punk Rock was rampant, so I guess that's our influence by that time. We recorded 3 songs but it only reached our neighborhood, 1995, I played drums for a ska-punk outfit The "Dung Donuts," where we played at Mayrics Espana. We are based in Admiral Village, Las Pinas City. We managed to play but we pay a Remittance of 750.00 (that sucks, to play you need to pay!) we recorded a demo and passed it to LA 105, but unfortunately it is somehow rejected, maybe I think because of its poor live sound recording quality or its just because its not trendy at hat time. 1996 we parted ways, and it paved way for me and Alex to play in a band together again. 1997 We change our monicker from "Dung Donuts" to " June Donuts" June Donuts plays new wavish and punk elements. Year 1998 my last year in high school at St. Benedict ( Alex is graduating in 6th grade) we decided to absorb Mark De Castro and Clifford Jongko, Clifford plucking the bass while Mark doing the vocals. Our first gig was right after our Graduation Day, that night we thought our adventure was A.O.K. ( we played at Karancho, by the way,) after that continues gigs followed for 3 months. After hectic schedules, we've stopped playing as "June Donuts" because Clifford"s mother don't want Clifford to go out every night ( oh shit she treats Clifford as a baby) but we don't blame her, now we made a drastic move, we taught Mark to play a Bass, he did Bass and passed his chores to me, now the line up is solid : Mark-Bass, Alex -Guitars and me, Philip-Drums/Vocals. Year 1999 , we decided to change our name to Friendship 7 we played for a year and a half . Year 2001, Mark left the band to pursue other interests, but I think hr left because of a conflict between the 2 of us. ( He thinks I'm courting his youngest sister ) that's not true she's the one courting me (not!) but we're still close friends. Friendship 7 in reality is an escape ship during a space mishap, the astronauts used F7 to escape, but I'm sorry I've forgot the name of the space shuttle that was blown into pieces. No, there's no punk behind the releases, its only you (yeah you Roy) who help us to reproduce our CD's also Mark for dubbing Cass. Tapes, ( our cass. Recorder was damaged!) Friendship 7 for us is about Friendship to all people in the world, regardless of status and race. We have many friends abroad all trough out the 7 continents. Oh I almost forgot there is a dude who helped us to finance our recording and fare to go to El Nido, his name is Vincent Troplain of Emergence Records from France.

I'm not really updated about the punk scene, how is the philippines punk scene now? Are there still lots of bands, zines & gig organizers? How about the support & the diy attitudes, are there lots of 'real' punks?

It is still growing, as for our label, we have 3 bands (local) under our sleeve, "Human Error" (HC/Punk) from Bulacan, "Happy Birthday" (Punk Rock) from Q.C. "Hate Released" ala earth crisis from Pasig City. But for now I can't release there records, no money. 
Yes there are many zine makers, Bands, gig organizers, if you have the no. 4 Banahaw News You'll see, but I know there's so many undiscovered yet. There are still some true to the Blue, but now I think, division makes them boastful, the scene is very snobbish and back stabbing,the gossip scene trying to overcome each other like it is showbiz, you know it's like all the scene(Punk or Metal) the same old shit, unity is impossible.

Punk can be an anarchist, straight edge, environmentalist, political reactionist or just be into it for fun. What kind are you guys? What is your punk ideology?
Yup you got that right, I'm a straightedge but I've broken it last December 31, coz I drink Alcohol at Mark's Place in Addas, but I regret it, and now facing the consequences, I don't try to impress the HC/Punk community that I am, I only keep it to myself, I smoke and drink the past few years, but now I've change a lot, I also tried being reggae, but its only lasted for a month, coz my body craved again for nest, and it sucks coz I paved way to my nasty ways. I'm a mountaineers but I don't consider myself as an environmentalist, there are so many posers in this world and you cannot know who's the real Macoy, but I don't want to start a fight, I respect everyone's opinion. For me I respect all I'm sort of a feminist, but as a male in this Macho-Guy ruled world, I'm viewed through my brute physique as not a gentleman but modesty side, I treat the ladies like Gold, but then yeah maybe not?

Punk now is saleable like any other musical style, how do you feel about it? How can you differentiate the real u/g punks? 
Yes it is saleable, it sells like hotcakes in the States, you can raise a family of your own by playing in a Punk Band, what I feel? I Feel nothing for me the true meaning of Punk Music is not commercialized and not so accessible to people. If everyone is accessible then maybe its not the other way around, ours is a counterculture, not 'the culture'. Anyone can label himself as true punk, I know this guy who says Pepe Smith is a true punk but he's really a bogsa Pinoy Rocker, maybe this guy I knew through Pepe Smith is a punk because of his punky clothes it's more than the clothing and music it's the attitude. A real punk doesn't brag that he's a punk, he can be anything as I read the most Buddhist thing to do is not to be Buddhist, and the most punk thing to do is not to be a punk.

You have that punk rock, oi punk, punk thrash & ska all mixed in. Is that because of varied influences? Who are the bands that shaped you to what you are now? Do you listen to metal?
Now I'm speaking for myself, yes I do have all that influences, my brother likes to play a metal guitar maniac, he likes to play everything especially hard guitar I'm before into Circle Jerks, Exploited Abalienetion, Dead Kennedy's and now I'm into what happens next Fairfigth, Crossome Vit. X, one more, etc. I listen to metal, Napalm Death, earthly Metal, Gun's and Rose's and Bon Jovi (can't deny my roots.) but I don't listen to them anymore

What can you say about the punks bands who now play metal? Some great metal bands now are x-punk band or have a punk history, do you think you'll ever play metal?
It's okey for me if they feel they need to expand their horizon, so let them, I'm not that person who dictates or says something to others if they change, there's a saying that " the only permanent in this world is change" and I believe in that shit, yes, we're not newskull/oldskool HC crust crossover maybe in the future well play HC Metal, when bands play, they first play punk tunes because they lack the technical skills to play metal, and when they progress they gradually turn to metal, but in our case crossover is the best.

I heard some news from a friend that the leftist political groups are actually trying to get punks to join them in their fight against the government. Do you know anything about it? Have you joined any protest or civil disobedience rally or anything like that? What are your views about the CPP?
No, I don't join any groups but I go there directly without any companions, but when Edsa 2 empted me and Alex went there 24 hrs. to add to that body we felt that its time to make a stand on what we believe. Our song "Step Down" tackles about Erap stepping down and he did, we've made that on Oct. 2000, when the rest of the people against Estrada's resignation. A friend asked us to play in the Edsa 2, but we refused because of 2 reasons, one we don't play with many people around, and two, were not that kind of shit playing in the masses using our song. Fuck that friend any organization sucks, I'm anti organization, because I think it only serves the leader, you can see the old Communist China, who to hell wants to live in a place where all is the same, where there is no fucking freedom and someone forces you to work for some idiot to benefit from. You get? Fuck CPP!

I had a friend, who is both into punk & metal, who tried to be a cop but changed his mind when he found out his 1st assignment will be in Mindanao. You told me that you are actually studying Criminology w/c most cop wannabes are studying. So, I'm gonna ask you the same question I asked my friend, why the hell do you want to be a cop? Aren't most punks cop haters?
I really want to be a cop, because I want to see some changes in our community, our community is a drug addicts zone so there's no way I could force them not to use those shit, but can I? I'm only small and only one, how can I beat 50 or more, then I thought If I will be a law enforcer my primary goal is to reduce or better yet, stop the use of drugs which is the primary cause of crimes. The punks who hates cops are the one's who have criminal minds, doing monkey business is not punk, for me its hand in hand, helping the cops to solve crimes is a goal for us punks, being punk is aware of all the environment. I know many punks who are now cops, to name a few are : NONOY-before punks from Galician now PO3 WPD. ANGELO-RDA mids 80's HC Punk band from TRC, now he's in lateral position for police insp., Darwin Laluz -Oi banger zine and member of Putang-Inas, Butch De La Cruz- Mod zines zine editor and many more!!!

Some of the best & craziest thing that I experienced that I associate w/ punk are the those that happened after the gigs. Would you share any crazy stuff that you experienced?

The most fucked up experience of mine in a gig when my face was swollen, because a bullocks hit my face with his elbow, I remember my nose bleed that night. I later retaliated by hitting him with my sharp metal studs in the back, and in the end we both signaled peace bro.

You mentioned before how you were so fucking pissed about a band who played on your slot thus you never got to play in the gig? How's your relations with them now? Do you still hate them? What can you say about such fucked up attitude?

It's okey now, I hope they don't do that again, they are always playing in gigs and I hope they pave way to new bands who wish to play, maybe if they don't let new bands play, maybe those bands will play at a club joint " Where you pay you play" you know?

How do you sum up life so far, you guys are still fucking young but do you feel life sucks? Do you easily trust people? What is the most precious thing to you?
I sum my life to be great, nobody could label you as a failure exempt yourself, you know! I trust people easily, for example, If somebody e-mail me and asks for a demo, If it's a girl then I'll send her impronto, but it turns out it's a rip off. But I forgive her or him(he he he) why most precious thing to me is GOD my mom and dad, brothers, music, friends especially.

You've sold your "Glow" demo tape in a local store, did anyone contacted you guys for comments or tellin how they like your stuff? How many did you sold? Have you sent out the demo to people abroad like zines & labels? Have you had a good response?
Yes, most especially the guys here in the local scene, they say they can't label us, I told them label us you want, you can say were HC,HC/Punk, Old Skool, Jaya-Core, Jolins-Core, Aiza-core, anything, we've only sold 50 cassette tapes. Yes we've send 15 cassette tapes and 5 cds of our first demo worldwide. Yes we have a good response, so good that were gonna be in a comp. In Singapore.

What does "Punk" mean to you? Do you have a standard where you measure people so you can say they are punk? Do you have friends who are not punks?
Punk for me is being myself a matter of choice, I have no standards, anyone could be a punk. I have many friends who are not punk, especially in school.

Do you dream of playing abroad? Which country do you want to play most? Do you want to live in another country? Which country will that be? If you can't go abroad as a band, but have a chance to go alone, would you leave the band?
Who doesn't! USA, FRANCE, GERMANY, SINGAPORE, AUSTRALIA, and JAPAN. I want to live in France because of the beautiful girls there and the high salary pay. Yes, absolutely, when I have the money I'll get my Mom and Brothers by that time we can play right!

Have you had any problems within the band? Who usually get pissed & about what? Are anyone into drugs, alcohols, gambling or porno?
We're only 2 piece right now, me and Alex, nobody get pissed, were always at the same page. No one drinks, smokes and drugs, I don't gamble big amounts, but for "Piso-Piso" I do Pusoy 2, Porno??? Well I think it's natural if you don't like it, maybe you're a robot.

What are your views about religion, homosexuality, nationalism & pop culture? Have you heard about the catholic priest who is head of a political organization who is well known, still he raped an altar boy in the ass.?
Religion- I believe there's one God, but they have different names, like Jesus, Krishna, Allah, Buddha,etc. I believe there's nothing wrong if you're religious or not, you know your choice!
Homosexuality-Everyone is entitled to everything especially their sexual references, but I'm fucking angry at those gay/lesbians who exploits little children just to satisfy their sexual urge, but they are some people too so we need to respect them not Isolate them.
NATIONALISM- this is bullshit, there are so many people die because of this shit, it's only coincidense that were born to this country, were taught to hate other race, different flag from ours, were taught to use guns to destroy people just in the were of right, so fuck nationalism.
POP CULTURE-pop is popular, pop culture commercialism, but I have no problems with that. No I don't really heard about are you talking about Cardinal Sin or the Pope? (Just joking)

What's the best thing for you guys in 2001? How do you see 2002, do you have plans already? How's the gig you were organizing? Is that your 1st try in gig organizing, will you do it again?
2001 gigs and the recording of 2nd demo, receiving mails from around the globe, 2002 I see myself looking for a stable Job as for the band we will look for a bass player and record our 3rd demo and to comply our diy compilations and projects. Our plans is to have money for our diy activities , the zine, etc. No actually it will be their 2nd, but now they plans to fucked up because there's no bands playing and the venue is full of resetion of debuts, b-day, parties so I get my money back, if there's another venue, or a cheap gig at the garage of our house, yes I'll do it again, but now there's no certainty.

Do you agree that 'Metal is for the undead' as "Punk is not dead"? Do you rather skate or masturbate? If a friend stabbed me in the back, should I shave my head? Are you man or are you a mouse? Hell I don't know what to ask anymore....
Yes, I'd rather masturbate coz I don't know how to -----but my brother Alex does, he's good, I don't understand the stabbing thing, I'm sorry! I will say I'm a mouse, because I believe violence solves nothing and by trusting violence with violence will make the damage even more.

OK. Thanks Philip! More power & stay true!!! Tell any other info, thank you's, fuck you's, anything!!!
Thanks Roy, more power and stay true also. Hail all the readers of this greatest metal zine of the Philippines. Our 2nd demo is out but now I don't have money to reproduce, but probably next months time I will send cassette tapes around . salamat I want to greet Joy.

There you go, a punk band I know & the music I like. They have a nice attitude & have a metal inclinations. They listen & watched Slayer videos, so that's fucking fine for me! I had a chance to see them live last Jan. 05, 2002 in a gig near our place. It was a punk gig & I saw for a long fucking time what a punk gig now a days look like. And I'll say I like the early '90s, very Anarcho then... don't fucking worry I won't reminisce.. I got to hear some nice band, with Oi sounds & some with crunchy hc tunes. And philip & his brother is asking me to play bass.. no way in hell!!!... they also ask some of their friends who turned them down.. they also ask Rallye (of Scrawlshop zine.. Oh yeah his #9 is out! & reviewed here!!! ) & still turned them down. So we all said, it's better to attack in 2 piece, the crowd will be surprised! And damn fucking right! I too am surprised! They sounded rawer & really crustier than from their demo! More like early crust chaos shit! grinding even!! and the crowd goes wild... & that's all for me, I got to go home before some stoned fucker punks(?) who want to beat my metal ass see me alone!!! Only comment on the punk gig... they still love to slam on the old classical punk tunes, even the new ones sound better! It seems they can't appreciate the music when they 1st hear it, does it have to be 'popular' within the 'punk scene' so you can fucking slam, or mosh or just nod your head or tap your filthy feet... well, I'm just asking myself... great bands that I saw beside Friendship7 there was No Fucking Morals & the one who sang in local language about a guava, that's very fucking oi! and the band w/ 2 female vox! Not fucking lame!!!

So if you wanna taste some different tunes, check them out! You'll hear a track from them in the UnderWorld compilation so... tra la la