Jam at Pete's Place - Sept. 25, 2015 - Kate on vocals (Loving You) w/ Tinnie Esguerra, Al Baisa, Joaco Marco & Pete Lapeña

SEPT. 25, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Last night's turnout was not much different from last week but the substance was absolutely by far contrasting. An impromptu post birthday celebration of a music room buddy was the highlight of the evening. Belated happy birthday to Mark Ronquillo. comrade Richard Parcia, it was another pizza festival for the music room. God bless you more, Mark! May you have many many more productive years and pizzas to come.

An abundance of food and live music was the order of the day. Boxes of sumptuous, mouth watering pizzas overflowed anew all night courtesy of the magnanimous celebrant. As earlier proclaimed by 

The music overflowed as well, with more masterful musicians and singers arriving to complement the regular house band. Tinnie Esguerra invited his friend Al Baisa, another talented guitarist to jam with us. Tinnie's penchant of inviting over worthy talents was again exemplified. Al was a revelation and definitely a good addition to last night's jam. Nice jam Al and good job Tinnie!

It was great to see percussionist extraordinare Dr. Mon Alleje back in the music room. Mon, who is based in Palawan, specifically flew in to surprise his mom on her 80th birthday and then spend his time with us after. Always great to have you around Mon! Happy 80th birthday to your mom. May God bless you both!

Jazz singer Mina Andrea was back in the house as well. This time she invited along two astute and talented female singers to join her. Welcome to the music room Kathy Mas and Nickie Mossman. As intended, the newbies will have their time on stage. A class act both in their performances and delivery, it was indeed a pleasure and a joy to watch and jam with. Everyone had so much fun that if not for the late hour (it was already past 5am) we could have gone on and on. There's always a next time ladies. We look forward to jamming with you guys again sometime soon.

Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Al Baisa, Richard Parcia, Rick Trinidad, Mon Alleje, Marc de Asis and vocalists Monchie Henares, Kate and Nicky were the complete list of musicians who joined me for the Friday jam. Thank you guys...great jam as always! Likewise, our gratitude to Reynald Perez, Lui Tatoy, Gabby Villanueva, Ed Diano and Rico Tayko for dropping by. Always a pleasure!

And so another fun night of music and frolic had concluded. I am totally recharged once again! Mission accomplished! Thank and praise God!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Sept. 18, 2015 - Jam Quartet ( James) with Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Rick Trinidad & Pete Lapeña

SEPT. 18, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

SEPT. 18, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE - At times unpredicable and uncertain, last night's setting turned out to be quite slow starting a bit late and concluding earlier than usual. Uncharacteristically, the Monotones, who are the earybirds, even arrived late at already past 10pm. Later on a few guests and regular jammers trickled in to complete the small congregation for the weekly jam.

Perhaps as a result of a dip in the climate's temperature and possibly the lack of body heat, it was actually freezing inside the
music room with the airconditioning in full blast. All well and good..no complaints. A sort of a reminder for me that my favorite time of the year is just around the corner.

Similarly, the jam was atypically cold and not in it's usual vigor. The band just settled on trying out a few tunes doing both instrumentals and then with vocals. It did take us more time to attain momentum as everyone seemed to be on a lazy mode. Despite it all, we still managed to complete and video record a few of the songs that we did.

Among the band mates who showed up to join me were Rick Trinidad, Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Mark Longos, Monchie Henares and Dennis Espiritu. I took over the drumming chores, Tinnie played guitar and keyboards, Joaco on guitar, Mark on guitar while Rick and Dennis alternated on bass.

The jam actually ended an hour earlier than usual with myself still eager and hungry for more. My desire for more jammimg quickly changed and reverted into gastronomic proportions when Monchie ordered a party sized Yellowcab Pizza at past midnight for everyone to devour on. It was a welcome sight to behold! Thank you so much Monchie for the sumptuous, mouth watering pizza! God bless you!

Let's see what is in store for next weekend's jam. Unique each and everytime, the weekly jam's positive benefits surpass any other. Full house or not, wild or subdued, the satisfaction and joy it brings is unmeasurable. I thank and praise God unendlessly for these special blessing.

Hope to see you all next weekend!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Sept. 11, 2015 - trying out "Hermosa skyline" with Rj Pineda, Tinnie Esguerra, Bubui Colico & Pete Lapeña

SEPT. 11, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

After 3 days being under the weather with head colds and a mild cough, a dose of the Friday jam truly did wonders. Recharged and energized, i am back in the groove..Thank and praise God!

Unexpecting any major eventuality, the weekend jam commenced at it's usual pace with the regulars trickling in at the onset. Mark Longos was the first to arrive at already past 9pm. Minutes apart, Rick Trinidad, Gab Villanueva, Tinnie Esguerra and Richard Parcia showed up soon after. To no surprise, the Monotones were also present along with other friends they had invited.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Brat Pack's David Abesamis de Koenigswarter and Christine Mercado back in the music room after last friday's successful event. They brought along and introduced their new drummer, Gilbert Asuque, who had replaced their equally talented drummer Allan Abdulla. We were told that Allan had joined another prolific band, the Bleu Rascals. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Eventually the whole Brat Pack line-up would be completed once again in the music room when piano master RJ Pineda arrives later in the evening. Amusingly, the guys came to fore, not as the band they are known to represent, but just to jam and have fun. Surely, the very essence and culture of what the music room is really all about. Way to go guys!

Last night David opted to play the guitar and Christine on lead along with their new drummer Gilbert. Rick Trinidad played bass. With no legitimate vocalist around Marc de Asis had to take over vocal chores to complete the roster. Incidentally, Chrisitne's friend and vocalist, Rina Santos, joined in and sang a few songs herself. Thank you Rina for being a good sport. Unfortunately, the young international blues stars had to pack up and leave early as they will still have to rest for an early gig the next day.

Shortly after his band mates had left, pianist Rj Pineda finally arrives. Timely, houseband drummer Bubui Colico shows up as well. And so, it's Rj on keyboards, Tinnie on acoustic guitar, Bubui Colico on drums, Rick and myself on bass. Guess what? It was the 3am magical jam hour. As always a special moment when the jam and mood is at it's supreme vibe. Definitely speaks for itself! Mind you, if you see Tinnie with a wide perpetual grin on his face while jamming, you can bet he is on a wild orgasmic musical journey. O well, I guess that's too much information already..haha! Super jam guys!

As always, our utmost gratitude to all the other friends and guests who dropped by. Always a pleasure! God bless you all!

After all is packed and quiet on stage, Tinnie, Rj and Ed Diano still stayed around to chill and recupe before finally calling it a night at already past 5am...5:15 to be more exact. And so, another fun and recharging night full of surprises concludes. All's well that end's well. As always, I Thank the Lord for the blessing!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

SEPT. 4, 2015 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Another phenominal evening unfolded last night at the Friday jam with Reynald Perez's successful birthday celebration and the Brat Pack's homecoming event happening in the music room. Up a notch higher in preparations with catered food and waiters awaiting the merrymakers.

The celebrant's guests arrived early, some even coming straight from work. Didn't take long before the live music began with fellow Air Force brat, flyboy and total performer Jet Bueno at the helm doing his thing. With his distinctive musical and entertainining antics, Jet gamely entertained the earlybirds with his amusing energy and presence. What a trooper 

The guests grew in number as the party progressed, patiently in anticipation awaiting the co-celebrants to arrive. Teen prodigy and the youngest Fender endorcer in the country, Joko Reantaso was back on stage. As expected, he wows the crowd with his display of guitar virtuosity at such a very young age. Truly a class of his own. Welcome back Joko!

Straight from their appearance at the Logano Blues Festival in Switzerland, the co-celebrant "the Brat Pack" finally arrives. Minus drummer Allan Abdullah who had begged off at the last minute to fulfill an unexpected commitment. The show must go on! Just a few adjustments here and there and we are back in business. Dynamic vocalist Christine Mercado, Rj Pineda and David Abesamis de Koenigswarter started the show but with a substitute drummer showcasing their usual brand of musical pizzazz to the delight of the cheering crowd. The highlight of the set was the awesome demonstration of Rj's versatility as he performed different numbers taking turns playing the drums, the guitar apart from the piano. It was no surprise that the audience ended up clamoring for more. Fantastic show guys!

After the smoke had cleared, so to speak, on the Brat Pack's awesome performance, the houseband and co. will not be denied and quickly took over the stage. Tinnie Esguerra, Nitoy Adriano, Bubui Colico, Jet Bueno, Rick Trinidad, Dennis Espiritu, Monchie Henares, Erwin Dimaculangan, Mark Longos were all around to join me. Prolific jazz vocalist Mina Andrea, made another comeback and bought along two new friends Joan and Misha. Joan even performed on stage, singing a few nifty songs with the band. Ofcourse, the jam will not be complete without Mina doing her thing. Despite the long night for her and an initial hesitation on our prodding, Mina finally agreed and joined in on stage. We still ended up doing quite a number of songs only to quit as it was almost 5am. What can i say but an excellent display of vocals. Great job!

Our utmost gratitude to all the other friends and guests who joined us, with special mention to my dear Air Force family as well. And to all the contributors who made the event a resounding success, we thank you all from the buttom of our hearts! WHAT A PARTEY!!!

Thank and praise God!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!