Para sa ibang Pinoy, katumbas ng lugar na Lamitan, Basilan ang mga salitang "kaguluhan" at "kidnapping" ng Abu Sayyaf.

Pero para sa baguhang singer na si Mark Alain Echem, hindi naman lahat ng Abu Sayyaf ay masasama, base na rin sa kanyang naging karanasan sa ilang bandido noong nakatira at nag-aaral pa siya sa Basilan.

"Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng bad experience. Actually, kung makikita n'yo sila, maliliit sila, yung framework ng body. Tapos they're very nice.

"Kasi there were only a few members of Abu Sayyaf that I got to meet. They're very respectable. Some of them gusto nang magbagong-buhay, like yung tatlo na pina-surrender po ng mom ko," sabi ni Mark Alain.

Nakausap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Mark Alain sa launching ng kanyang self-titled album under Sony Music Entertainment na ginanap kahapon, April 12, sa Patio Carlito restaurant.

Paano naman na-involve ang kanyang ina sa pag-surrender ng ilang Abu Sayyaf members?

"She's not a politician. But she's very close to some people from the military. So, siya yung naging middlewoman between the Abu Sayyaf and the military.

"Kasi my mom is also a Muslim. Nakarating sa mom ko na meron mga gustong magbagong-buhay. So, yung mom ko, tinulungan sila, siya ang nag-facilitate ng surrender nila," saad ng singer.

Ano ang puwede niyang sabihin sa ibang tao tungkol sa Basilan, lalo na't ang na-create nitong image sa iba ay isang lugar na nakakatakot puntahan?

"Gusto kong sabihin sa ibang tao na I don't blame them for having that impression sa Basilan, kasi totoo namang nagkaroon ng kidnappings. But I think Basilan deserves credit. You know, come to the place and then you talk.

"What's good about the place? We have wonderful beaches and very fresh seafoods. I think those are the two assets of Basilan. Marami rin kaming rubber, marami kaming niyog."

Paano nakatulong sa perspective niya as a person and as a music artist ang pagtira niya sa Basilan?

"As a person, it's always great to grow up sa province kasi nakikita mo yung sitwasyon ng mga kababayan mo. We don't have big buildings, we only have kubos, a few small buildings. There are only a few businesses sa Lamitan.

"So, growing up, nakaka-relate ako doon. When I came sa city and I see people from the province, nakaka-relate ako doon. And I think that makes me a better person. Kasi you have the capacity to relate to as many people. It's good kasi naiintindihan mo sila, e.

"And as an artist, I didn't grow up from a family that is inclined to music. Pero ako kasi mahilig talaga ako sa music, gusto kong kumanta."