Arwind’s new album is entitled Bagyo. It has 12 original tracks, all reportedly written by the former PBA MVP. The album is inspired by the series of typhoons that hit the country recently. Maybe Arwind thought, “Hey, if Kobe can rap/sing, so can I!”
While there’s still no date on the album’s release, the music video for his carrier single, also entitled “Bagyo” premiered on YouTube. So to make sense out of Arwind’s newest milestone, here’s a meticulous play-by-play analysis.
0:01 – The opening melody is reminiscent of Eagles’ “Hotel California.” The poignant, flowing riffs, the um, er, well, we’re not music critics so you just have to trust us on this one.
0:10 – Arwind Santos is at practice and nonchalantly picks up a basketball. He dribbles it in slow motion. Nothing like putting the video in slow mo to convey drama. It’s fool-proof. A video of a bloody root canal? Disgusting. A video of a bloody root canal in slow motion? Tearjerker.
0:14 – A whiteboard! With magnets! And an eraser! What’s the eraser for though?
0:17 – Arwind croons “Bagyooo!” in the opening line, instantly reminding us that his song is about a typhoon and not San Miguel’s practice. Just in case you still don’t get it, a black-and-white montage of typhoons is shown. Again, the drama!
0:35 – Cut back to the Beermen’s practice. The players are lined up for some calisthenics while the line “Bagyooo, ‘di ka natitinag” plays—obviously, an allusion to the team’s toughness. Arwind then follows it up with “Dulot mo ay matinding baha.” Whoa! Arwind doesn’t play around when it comes to lyrics. Legit! A true MVP.
The video is split into two for jaw-dropping visual effects. Of course, it’s in slow motion.
0:47 – Cut into Arwind singing in a studio booth, reminding us that “Hey, this isn’t some auto-tuned stuff recorded in an egg tray-walled garage. I did actual singing and spent money for studio time.” Take that, T-Pain!
While reading the lyrics from his (presumably) phone, he also coolly bobs his head like he’s singing a new A$AP Rocky joint.
0:52 – Close-up shot of Arwind singing. Here, he clearly displays proper breathing, enunciation, and lip movements. Then, he closes his eyes for the big finish (putting it in slow mo, while zooming in on his soulful eyes could’ve really helped).
1:05 – Cut to Arwind at practice again, doing some fancy footwork exercise. He belts out “Nawasak din mga tahana…aaaan,” his voice crescendoing to the high heavens like a beatific cherub.
1:11 – Arwind’s headband is yellow. It has “Dexter’s Pizza” emblazoned on it. Yes, he’s an official endorser. And apparently, a dedicated one too.
1:14 – Loom bands!
1:20 – The video is split into two anew with Arwind doing some TRX stuff on the left and recording his song on the right. The juxtaposition is on-point here, especially with the line “‘Di mapigil ang pagragasa” serenading us. Just like showing a puppy’s carcass along with the Sesame Street theme song.
1:34 – Just like any other famous balladeer, Arwind holds his headphones while singing. It’s unclear what this is for. But obviously, he knows what he’s doing. Hey, just in case one of the coaches on The Voice: Philippines quits, just hit up Coach Arwind.
He again bobs his head, this time less enthusiastically, perhaps realizing he was singing about typhoons.
Arwind then sings “Ang bagyo ay ‘di na bago. Taun-taon meron nito.” Take note, PAGASA.
2:10 – 2:53 – This is easily the most fantastic part of the video. While the line “Sa Diyos, tayo’y mananaig / Sa Kanya ay magtiwala” plays, Arwind and the rest of the Beermen showcase their crisp ball movement, nifty ball-handling, and camera projecting skills. Words can’t do justice. Just watch it. Also, who’s that last guy?
Again, the scene couldn’t be more fitting with the lyrics. The parallelism is unparalleled (oxymoron = lalim-laliman).
2:54 – Arwind is now at the Araneta Coliseum, wearing a green cap and an FEU jacket. He again passes the ball around, clearly a symbolism of our bayanihan spirit.
3:01 – The San Miguel Beermen coaching staff. Peter Martin doesn’t age.
3:04 – June Mar looking imba on the floor.
3:07 – The ball somehow gets to former San Miguel guard Chico Lanete, who’s in some restaurant.
3:13 – Teddy from Showtime! And Ser Chief! OMG! Can this get any better?
3:16 – It does! It’s Jugs!
3:20 – JHONG HILARIO DOING SAMPOLS! THIS IS, AS TRUE LINGUISTS TODAY WOULD SAY, AMAZEBALLS!
Arwind sings from the heart: “Bagyooo…ho…huwow!”
3:24 – BILLY CRAWFOOOOOOOORD! SPINIIIIING THE BALL IN HIS FINGERRRR!
3:32 – VHONG FREAKING NAVARROOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! THIS IS TOO MUCH!!!!!
3:39 – After Arwind sings the last line, “Mag-ingat tayo sa bagyo,” which also doubles as a public service announcement, he ends the music video with a flourish: with the rest of the Beermen watching, he leaps as high as his falsetto, cocks the ball with his right hand, and emphatically throws it down—everything in slow mo. Then the video poetically fades to black. The end.
Was that terrific or what? If that didn’t tug at your heartstrings, then you’re as callous as those cruel human beings who don’t know how to flush. If the video reminded you of those cheap karaoke clips, then you should go back to music video school!
Seriously though, we appreciate Arwind reaching out to typhoon victims, especially with the first anniversary of typhoon Yolanda coming up. But can’t he do it in a different way? Like not sing, perhaps?
Here’s the entire music video (courtesy of Melmac Sports Management):