FRIDAY- JULY 31, 2015

Jam at Pete's Place - July 24, 2015 - "Without Her" (Monchie Henares vocals, Tinnie Esguerra and Joaco Marco on guitar and Pete Lapeña on bass)

Trying out "Happy Man" with Monchie Henares on lead vocals, Mark Ronquillo on second voice, Tinnie Esguerra (guitar 1), Joaco Marco ( guitar 3), Richard Parcia (guitar 3) and Pete Lapeña on bass

JULY 24, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Call it the law of averages or just plain luck but last night was unquestionably one of the more reserved jams we ever had experienced in the recent past. The guys arrived low-keyed and a bit later than usual and took some time before we all got ourselves moving and in the groove of things. It was actually already past midnight before we finally got a semblance of momentum.

We began the jam short on manpower with mostly guitar players available and on standby. Bassist Rick Trinidad jammed for awhile but had to make an early exit. I played drums briefly and had no option but to switch to playing bass eventually instead.

Guitarists Joaco Marco, Richard Parcia, Mark Longos, Vocalists Monchie Henares and Mark Ronquillo plus myself on bass completed the drummerless initial roster. Keyboardist/guitarist Tinnie Esguerra, who came straight from watching a play, finally arrived reinforcing further the ensemble.

Despite the obvious handicap, we still made hay with a few new songs we had accomplished apart from the other more familiar tunes we did. We surely won't be deprived.

To add to the woes, my camera suddenly became uncooperative with it's memory card full just after a few photos and only a couple of videos taken. Apparently, there was a glitch on the SDcard that i had overloooked. Purely my accountability. Fortunately, Joaco brought his videocam to take over the chore. Mission accomplished.

The whole evening, uncharacteristically, might had been quiet and insignificant but the joy and satisfaction of the bonding and music was still there. Every night is unique and every night is a blessing. I can't complain.

After the jam Joaco and Monchie stayed around much longer till about daylight. It was almost 6am when i finally closed the gate. And so, another Friday Night Jam comes to its fruition. As always, i thank and praise God for the opportunity.

On Friday Aug.7 there will be another big event at the music room. It will be Monchie Henares' belated Birthday Bash Jam. Close friends from college and his Retro Verde group are all invited along with the regular music room guys to partake of this yearly fun celebration. Food, drinks and live music will surely abound. That's two weekends from now folks. Please don't forget to mark your calendars. Another blockbuster in the offing. See you all then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Richard Parcia and Mark Longos bluesing with "Sweet Home Chicago"

Jamming "Change The World" with Mark Longos on vocals

Trying out an OPM song with Richard Parcia & Monchie Henares on vocals

JULY 17, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

The ''calm after the storm" metaphor didn't apply last night despite last week's epic weekend with a pseudo-sort of celebration happening for post-celebrant and house band drummer Bubui Colico whose birthday was July 16th. A handful of music room regulars and his close friends came and gamely chipped in and ordered boxes of pizzas and fried chicken in the hope of commemorating the occasion. There is always something special about surprise parties specially if the celebrant had wished to experience one himself. Well, Bubui, you had definitely got it! God surely must have heard his prayers. Come to think of it, who wouldn't want surprise parties?

It was an interesting evening at the start as well with some music room newbies showing up early. Susie Chong Lat, a mother to a young aspiring musician named Sean, together with her two daughters, arrived with some of her son's friends and band mates, Ethan Reyes and Paolo Angeles. They came to check out the place hoping to jam on stage as well. Apparently, it was Monotone honcho Ryan Nacino, who had introduced the venue to the kids. Not wasting any time, they jumped in on the opportunity and played before the regular musicians arrived. Still struggling and just barely able to complete a song, the neophytes took photos and videos of themselves as a priceless remembrance to the novelty of their experience. Keep it up guys. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Apart from the birthday boy, Rick Trinidad, Joaco Marco, Monchie Henares, Tinnie Esguerra, Richard Parcia, Roger Salazar, Mark Longos and Reynald Perez were amongst the musicians who came to join me. It was an interesting jam with each one given the chance to choose which songs to play. As expected, the jam was envigorating and progressive lasting until the wee hours of the morning.

After all is done and quiet on stage, some of the guys stayed around longer to chill and recap before finally hitting the road. The closers, myself including, took one last photo session for posterity before leaving the place at about 5:30am. Thank you guys for another enjoyable and recharging weekend. As always, I praise and thank God for this special blessing! Till the next time around.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

FRIDAY JAM, JULY 10, 2015 - The House band jamming with Xtine Mercado & Rj Pineda trying out 'BENEATH THE SURFACE'

FRIDAY JAM, JULY 10, 2015 - Trying out 'ENTER MY WORLD' for the first time

JULY 11, 2015 - RICHARD'S BIRTHDAY BASH & QUARTERLY JAM NIGHT

JULY 11, 2015 - RICHARD'S BIRTHDAY BASH & QUARTERLY JAM NIGHT AN EPIC SUCCESS! Congratulations to Richard Parcia and cohorts for a superlative evening of bonding, food and music! One of the most attended and lavish affair in the music room by far this year. 

 

HAPPENING TONIGHT!!!!

JULY 10, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

JULY 10, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE - Despite the wet and stormy weather we had been experiencing in the country the whole week, the condition was surely not enough to dampen the music room's busy weekend. Nonetheless, the show must go on. Last night started early with Brat Pack's piano wiz Rj Pineda along with younger brother Ryan and his bandmate and namesake Ryan Nacino arriving first. The guys decided to drop by to jam and pass the time before they rush to meet up with some friends in a club in Makati. Rj invited over Meg Seranilla, a music room sophomore and vocalist, to jam some jazzy tunes as the two neophytes played along. Good to see the young guns significantly showing signs of progress. Afterall, now with a musical mentor of Rj's caliber eagerly guiding and influencing them plus a perfect venue available, they have practically everything to their favor. Keep it up guys!

It's always great to see Brat Pack's dynamic and talented musician/vocalist Xtine Mercado in the music room. Excellent to have around as she brilliantly fills in to play the bass or do drum chores when the need arises. Apart from the singing, of course. House band keyboardist/guitarist Tinnie Esguerra, as always versatile, brought along his trusted Fender Strat instead of his acoustic guitar for a change, as he gamely claims. Guitarist Joaco Marco, bassist Rick Trinidad and vocalist Monchie Henares were among the other house band guys who made it to the house too. Mark Longos, who came later, joined in the fun and did some vocal hamonizing on a few songs, as well. As always, we were able to capture and video record some of the tunes we did to share. Great jam guys! A perfect night to transpire as a prelude to Saturday's big event. Thank and Praise God!

Happening tonight, Saturday, July 11th, will be the much awaited Richard Parcia's Post-Birthday Bash & Quarterly Jam Night. Food, drinks and music are all set to abound! Another epic night in the offing! Watch out for it! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

JULY 10, 2015 - TGIF RAINY MANILA! HELLO WORLD! JAM NIGHT TONIGHT!

Finally it's out for your viewing pleasure! The 35TH PETE'S PLACE ANNIVERSARY & MY 58TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE MUSIC ROOM VIDEO: Conceptualized/Compiled/Edited by Monchie Henares

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfF-4BpB-kU

Jamming a classic tune from the 70's

With the Brat Pack's dynamic duo, piano wiz RJ Pineda and monster bassist Xtine Mercado. Taking a break from their blues chores for an evening of smooth jazz at the Music Room.

JULY 3, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE - Last night's gathering was relatively calm and relaxing following two consecutive big events that had past. The guests came in trickles with just a respectable number of attendance showing up. Even the jam took it's sweet time before finally settling to take off.

Brat Pack's Xtine Mercado, Rj Pineda and house band Tinnie Esguerra were the first wave of musicians to show up. Rj actually just came to visit and had no plans to stay long to jam having pressing personal commitments he needed to attend to. However, we were able to play a few tunes with him before he left. Xtine, on the other hand, fortunately stayed all night. As always a pleasure to collaborate with these two world class musicians. Among the other house band guys who came to join me were Joaco Marco, Rick Trinidad and Monchie Henares. After Rj left, it was already past midnight before we got back on stage. Got our momentum going and jammed all night despite being undermanned. We finally were able to video the elusive St. Elsewhere Theme cover we were attempting to do for some time now. We reviewed some of Monchie's old repertoire, some we had not done in awhile, till a little past 5am. After the jam, some of the guys stayed on for a nightcap before hitting the road at about sunrise. Around 5:30am to be exact. All's well that ends well..thanks be to God!

Special thanks to Ed Diano, Jun Bediones, Gabby Villanueva, Gats Isaac, Mark Longos, Marc de Asis, Ryan Pineda and Ryan Nacino for their presence. Always great to see them around.

Next week will be a busy weekend for the music room with Saturday night already booked for Richard Parcia's post birthday bash and the former Distress Session Band's (now fondly calling themselves "Night Shift/ers") Quartely Jam Joint Event. Promises to be another humdinger. Already looking forward to it!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!