Jam at Pete's Place - June 24, 2016 - At the Magic Hour feat Monchie Henares (Bluesette)

JUNE 24, 2016 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

After the smoke had cleared a week after the epic 36th anniversary celebration, we moved on promptly back to our regular weekend Friday Jam vibe. As expected, the noice and euphoria brought on by the past epic event had wavered with just a respectable number of guys showing up for the jam last night. Majority who came were just the house band regulars. Nonetheless, it was all good. At the onset it seemed like it was shaping up to be another musicians night. And it eventually did.

Cebu Pacific flyboy and guitarist Loren Orendain made up for last week's absence, while overcoming sleepless nights and fatigue, was the very first to show up. Armed with just his acoustic guitar, he quickly set up and played in solitary even before the band was complete hoping to play while his energy was still very much intact. Percussionist revelation Vincent Garrucho was an earlybird himself after a decision to abort his previous commitment and instead head straight for the music room to avoid the horrendous traffic. Aspiring musician Mark Longos followed suit as well. When bassist Rick Trinidad arrived minutes later, we were officially a band. Incidentally, i ended up playing drums the whole night.

Much later in the evening vocalist Monchie Henares, guitarist/ keyboardist Tinnie Esguerra, rhythm guitarist Joaco Marco and bassist Dennis Espiritu finally arrives to add to the roster. When keyboardist Kiko Montecillo caught up with the rest of us at past 3am, we were back in business. As always a pleasure to jam with, Kiko again proved to be the perfect link. He was once again the man of the hour. He was piano man personified. Excellent addition to the house band indeed. God job Kiko!

Apart from the actual jam, last night was a good time for the band to re-evaluate and develop a more proper and cohesive system to further improve the quality of our playing. We decided on experimenting on toning down a bit on the volume and "work the room", so to speak, to a more audible friendly level and concentrate more on dynamics, as it should be, instead of the usual carefree attitude of playing. It was good and refreshing to see that we were showing some semblance of progress. We are still on the working process, however. But we hope to keep on working on it more in the coming days. All we need is cooperation among the players.

And so, 36 years and another week of music and friendship had finally concluded. Another night another blessing. Thanks and praise God!

Till the next time.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

36th Anniversary Jam - June 17, 2016 - Feat Pete Canzon (Blue Bossa)

PETE'S PLACE MUSIC ROOM 36TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

A "colossal hit of epic proportions" just had to be the best suitable description to last night's celebration with the quality and quantity of friends and guests in attendance. The true essence and culture of the place we call our very own was clearly in display throughout the evening till dawn. Family and friends from different associations came in throngs to commemorate more than 3 1/2 decades of music and friendship.

The room was busy all night with an awesome array of musicians performing on stage. A collaboration of the music room's best musicians converging and performing in a one night musical extravaganza producing one of the best jams we have had and experienced in a long time. Musical greats such as teen guitar prodigy Joko Reantaso, lapsteel guru Haro Echter, accomplished Jazz saxophonist Pete Canzon, jazz drummer Jay Alviar, keyboard sensation Rj Pineda and dad Ronnie, Multi-talented singer/ musician Xtine Mercado, accomplished bassist Dennis Mabanta together with house band stalwarts Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Dennis Espiritu, Rick Trinidad, Bubui Colico, Richard Parcia, Vincent Garrucho, Mark Longos, Pj Cura, Tosh Murayama, Gigi Alarcon were just some of the great talents in the house. Balik-music room Reg Gutierrez brought his band 'Lovecore' and performed a nifty set of originals and some covers as well. Ukulele sensation and vocalist Tetel Serra joined in on stage doing a set of her familiar songs too. At about closing time, musical family, "the Pinedas", comprising of dad Ronnie and sons Rj and Ryan were the last to perform. The jam finally concluded at about 5:45am...believe it or not! 

Food and drinks were likewise in abundance, thanks to all the generous friends who had contributed. Drinks were aplenty at the onset (so we thought) but eventually ran out and had to go out for a beer run to replenish. What a party indeed!

Thank you so much to everyone who came to celebrate with us. To our family, old friends, new friends, acquaintances and to the enormous talents who had graced our humble place all these years up to last night's momentous 36th year celebration, my utmost gratitude to all of you! You are the very reason why we had lasted this far. God bless you all! 



My wife Vicky (unfortunately, she was not able to join as she was not feeling well and had to rest in bed) and I extends our warm and heartfelt gratitude to all our friends and family for their unwavering love and support. We love you very much!

And in closing, let me not end this journal without praising God Almighty for the fun and glorious 36 years of Pete's Place Music Room and that He may bless us with many many more years of fellowship to come. Thank you Lord!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - June 10, 2016 - Monchie at the Magic Hour (Nightbird)

JUNE 10, 2016 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

The proverbial "calm before the storm" applied again last night, just a week before our 36th year anniversary with just a minority attending the Friday jam. The mood was quite relaxed and tranquil but definitely without losing the positive vibe and the musical experience characteristic of our weekend gatherings. A respectable line-up of musicians and a handful of friends was all there was in attendance but not without the gratification the Friday hoopla usually brings.

Excitedly trying out our new VE-5 Vocal Performer that my good friend Lou Hilario donated to the music room, i found myself down in the room earlier than usual to test it. Despite discovering a minor technical setback on installation due to unavailability of a proper microphone cable plug and ending up just using batteries instead of a power adapter, a solution was swift to present itself. Whenever we are in a quandary something positive always comes up. You just gotta have faith. And sure enough, percussionist Vincent Garrucho, who upon learning of the problem was quick to respond. Thank you Vincent for the matching microphone cable you brought and to Loren Orendain for offering to provide for the needed power adapter, as well. God bless you both!

With the voice processor working well as it should, the guys took turns toying around with its different vocal effects like children playing catch at the playground. Getting into serious business, we figured out the desired mic setting, got up on stage and started the jam. Guitar sensation Anton Atengco was always a revelation. Together with his cousin Jazz Miranda, who is an excellent guitar player himself, they both came out smokin'. Totally awesome guitar playing by Anton and Jazz. Must be in their musical genes. Bassist Rick Trinidad and Dennis Espiritu alternated on bass, Tinnie on keyboards, Joaco Marco on rhythm guitar, Monchie Henares on vocals, Vincent Garrucho on percussion and myself behind the kit.

At the magic hour, we managed to accomplish and video a few songs before we finally packed up at 5am. After the jam, Monchie, Dennis and Joaco stayed around and kept me company till 5:30am. I always enjoy the recap and chit chat with the guys at closing time.

Let me not forget to thank Gab Villanueva, Mark Longos, Jp Bugarin, Luisa Distor, Richard Parcia, Marc de Asis and his friend Yan for their presence. Always great to see these guys around.

Next week will be our much anticipated Pete's Place Music Room anniversary. 36 years of music and friendship! Surely another epic in the making. Thank and Praise God! Hope to see you all then....don't forget!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - June 3, 2016 - Monchie Henares & Luisa Distor (Umagang Kay Ganda)

JUNE 3, 2016 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Just two more weekends before the music room's 36th year anniversary, it was apparent that my spirit had started to build up in anticipation to another blockbuster of a fete in the making. Yes, more than 3 and a half decades of bonding and frolic with my musical friends and family. One amazing achievement undoubtedly so. 36 wonderful years of God's unparalleled blessing must indeed be memorialized. And to think that i had entertained thoughts of calling it off this year. I must be totally crazy!

The evening started young with University of Pennsylvania alumni and good friend Mr.Roger Salazar being the very first person to arrive. Flyboy Loren Orendain, with his complete nifty guitar and gear set-up, was next to show up. Music room newby Nathaniel Hitchcock, on his second sortie to the room, came back along with a Swedish friend by the name of Simon Lindberg. The young 6'5" Simon happens to be a budding musician as well. Both Nathaniel and Simon apparently plays the guitar. It was no surprise for both to find themselves eventually jamming along with us on stage. And they surely did. When house band bassist Rick Trinidad arrived, we were good to go. We did manage to jam just a few tunes as both couldn't stay around too late. Simon will be flying out of the country for Bali and then to his homeland Sweden early morning today.

The house band honchos took over the second set with Atty.Pecky Casuella, Tinnie Esguerra, Joaco Marco, Mark Longgos, Rick Trinidad, Monchie Henares and myself on board. Percussionist Vincent Garrucho, brought his tone-perfect bonggos and did his share in beefing up the roster as well.

Approaching the magic hour, it was astute keyboardist Kiko Monticillo's turn to take charge and shine. As always, a welcome addition to the band, Kiko never fails to amaze everyone with the variety of music he can actually play. As Tinnie in jest described, Kiko was an epitome of a drinking jukebox..."just pour bourbon and press play".

As expected, the 'magic hour' turned out to be truly magical. Totally exhilarating and refreshing to say the least. Always an exciting time to video record our joyful and unique musical experience. After the jam, some of the guys stayed around longer to chill and to finish their drinks before finally heading for home. Alas, the gates were finally closed at 5:30am. As i always say...Mission accomplished! Praise and thank God! See you all next weekend!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!