Sunday, December 25, 2016
DEC. 23, 2016 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE
Common sense will tell you one thing but logic defies all odds when it comes to predicting the outcome of events in the music room. As one would think as a given predictability, you fall on your face and once again had proven you wrong. So what else is new? When will i ever learn.
Last night was no exception. Just when i was about to throw in the towel, thinking that it was going to be a slow night, things quickly turned around. Soon friends and guests started to arrive. In fact, the turnout of musicians were plentiful and prolific. Suddenly, the gathering showed promise. It was not going to be a slow night after all.
Accomplished vocalist Michael Puyat (this year's music room prize addition) arrived first along with a friend named Steven Chen. Steven, who is of Chinese descent and grew up in Indonesia apparently loved to sing. Right away, Michael and Steven switched to karaoke mode and went straight to business singing minus-one to their hearts content. Thus, the Friday jam officially started.
Soon, more musicians arrived. Saxophonist Maryana Arinez (fresh from her music room comeback last weekend) invited along a friend by the name of Stephen Lu. Stephen, apparently was no first timer. Just in his teens then, he revealed that he once was in the music room in '84 when his older brother Christopher brought him over back in the day. Now an accomplished musician himself, he is busy promoting his album with his current band. We welcome back Stephen to the music room.
Among the other musicians who showed up to join me were keyboardist Pecky Casuela, bassist Rick Trinidad, teen prodigy and youngest Fender endorser Joko Reantaso, drummers Bubui Colico and Jj Disini, multi-talented musician Pj Cura, and guitarists Joaco Marco and Tinnie Esguerra. Later on, guitarist/ vocalist Nick Mangubat and keyboardist encyclopedia Kiko Montecillo caught up with us and joined in the fun.
As expected, with the line-up of talented musicians around, it was a no-brainer on what the outcome was going to be. Fun and exciting was the least to describe it. Mission accomplished as always. Again, I praise and thank God!
Dec. 24th, Saturday will be Christmas Eve. "Feliz Navidad"..."Gloria In Excelsis Deo". By tradition, the music room will be open to all family and friends who wants to come over to hangout and chill (we can jam too if you wish) after the Noche Buena. To all concerned, i'll see you later at past midnight.
A BLESSED AND MEANINGFUL CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Sunday, December 18, 2016
DECEMBER 17, 2016 - CHRISTMAS PARTY UPDATE
A successful and joyous celebration of epic promotions might just be an understatement to describe this years 2016 Pete's Place Music Room Christmas Party. It was a total bravura of abundance incontestably in turnout, food, drinks and certainly the live music. As early as 6:30 pm, everything was all set and ready for the grand event. Food and drinks from family and friends poured in non-stop practically all night and overflowed conceivably enough to feed at least a hundred party goers. As always, i thank and praise God for such blessings bestowed to all of us!
The festivity officially started at around 7pm and ended at exactly 6:20am when the last group of guests had finally left. The mood was persistently high from start to finish with the band still at it to the very end. And that is no exaggeration folks. It was just amazing how everyone seemed not to show any sign of wear despite partying all night. Surely, another one for the books.
Enormously happy to see my mother-in-law Loly Mara and my balik-bayan uncle Domingo Mara around to be with us. Other family members, friends from various affiliations, music room regulars and the not so regular, plus some other first timers gathered and flocked the place to celebrate with us. So many of them to recall and acknowledge but my gratitude and appreciation goes to all of them as well.
Packed full of fun filled memoirs that had transpired at the event that it might not be possible to remember and describe everything that had happened. I'll just skip the details and leave it at that. And so to all who missed the party, you just have to trust me on this..haha!
Next Sunday will be Christmas Day! Praise be to God, Alleluia! By the way, there will still be a regular Friday Jam next week plus the customary Christmas Eve hangout at the music room (for those who just wants to come to chill after the Noche Buena)...so please be informed.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
The festivity officially started at around 7pm and ended at exactly 6:20am when the last group of guests had finally left. The mood was persistently high from start to finish with the band still at it to the very end. And that is no exaggeration folks. It was just amazing how everyone seemed not to show any sign of wear despite partying all night. Surely, another one for the books.
Enormously happy to see my mother-in-law Loly Mara and my balik-bayan uncle Domingo Mara around to be with us. Other family members, friends from various affiliations, music room regulars and the not so regular, plus some other first timers gathered and flocked the place to celebrate with us. So many of them to recall and acknowledge but my gratitude and appreciation goes to all of them as well.
Packed full of fun filled memoirs that had transpired at the event that it might not be possible to remember and describe everything that had happened. I'll just skip the details and leave it at that. And so to all who missed the party, you just have to trust me on this..haha!
Next Sunday will be Christmas Day! Praise be to God, Alleluia! By the way, there will still be a regular Friday Jam next week plus the customary Christmas Eve hangout at the music room (for those who just wants to come to chill after the Noche Buena)...so please be informed.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
DEC. 9, 2016 - PRIVATE PARTY AT PETE'S PLACE UPDATE
A highly successful and entertaining Friday night took place at the music room last night celebrating Celso Villegas' 65th birthday. Rarely will anyone find one's self in an exclusive party on a regular jam night but certainly was an exception for my spouse's dear friend Jenny's husband. About a couple of weeks in preparation, i had gladly authorized the event to take place to accommodate a plea from my wife Vicky. It was mostly from the celebrant's DLSU (DLSC at that time) batch'74 group mates that had showed up to the party. Welcome to the music room fellow LaSallites.
The first wave of guests arrived unexpectedly (as early as 6pm..can you believe it?) and surprised me, caught me off-guard while i was still doing my rounds preparing. Still raggedy and sweaty (definitely not stinky..excuse me) in my gym attire, i welcomed and ushered the early birds to the room to settle while i tidied up. Soon Celso and Jenny finally arrived. With them was an overflowing supply of sumptuous food, beverages and hard liquor all nicely prepared for everyone to partake and devour. An open bar system for the beer drinkers was also applied. What else can you ask for? It was time to party.
Among the green blooded gentlemen who came were co-birthday celebrant Nonong Santillan, Butch Araneta, Patrick de Borja, Mike Jose, Nick Reyes, Jerry Lapuz and Joaquin Hagedorn. Strictly a closed in exclusive affair, the regular house band members graciously got invited to join to provide the live music specially requested by the celebrant. A non-obligatory open invitation to the musicians who are able to make it. No problem for me, as i was definitely glad to oblige.
Unsure on who among the band mates will eventually show up and at what time, the show must go on. Sooner or later we had to start the ball rolling before the guests starts to leave. And so we did. It was just Rick Trinidad and I on stage at the start. We performed 3 songs just to warm up the crowd before handing over the mics to the guests to get involved. Without the band, the ladies had wanted to sing Karaoke. Each took turns singing along minus-one to their hearts content until they had their fill.
By this time, vocalist Monchie Henares, guitarists Joaco Marco and Nitoy Adriano had arrived. Nitoy was God sent and was absolutely timely for the band, playing tunes the guests are familiar with...him being of the same age range. Finally, percussionist Vincent Garrucho arrived completing the cast. Come to think of it, if keyboardist lord Kiko Montecillo did not get himself tide up somewhere and did show up as planned, it would've been absolutely perfect, in my opinion. But then again, it wasn't God's plan. I'll take it any day. He knows what's best.
At the jam, the oldies and their guests had a blast singing along at times in unison, non-stop with the band longer than most anticipated. Expecting an early start and finish for the seniors, the group surprisingly hanged around till past 2am. A record of sorts for most of them. When the birthday party officially ended, the regular guys still stayed longer as it was early by our standards. We actually jammed some more before we finally packed up and called it a night. By the time we finished and closed up it was already 4:30 am. Another super successful event in conclusion! Praise and thank God!
Next Friday, Dec.16th, will again be a no go for the regular Friday Jam Night. Instead we move to gather on Saturday, Dec. 17th, for our 2016 PETE'S PLACE MUSIC ROOM CHRISTMAS PARTY. It promises to be another humdinger of an event! Don't miss it! See you all then!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Among the green blooded gentlemen who came were co-birthday celebrant Nonong Santillan, Butch Araneta, Patrick de Borja, Mike Jose, Nick Reyes, Jerry Lapuz and Joaquin Hagedorn. Strictly a closed in exclusive affair, the regular house band members graciously got invited to join to provide the live music specially requested by the celebrant. A non-obligatory open invitation to the musicians who are able to make it. No problem for me, as i was definitely glad to oblige.
Unsure on who among the band mates will eventually show up and at what time, the show must go on. Sooner or later we had to start the ball rolling before the guests starts to leave. And so we did. It was just Rick Trinidad and I on stage at the start. We performed 3 songs just to warm up the crowd before handing over the mics to the guests to get involved. Without the band, the ladies had wanted to sing Karaoke. Each took turns singing along minus-one to their hearts content until they had their fill.
By this time, vocalist Monchie Henares, guitarists Joaco Marco and Nitoy Adriano had arrived. Nitoy was God sent and was absolutely timely for the band, playing tunes the guests are familiar with...him being of the same age range. Finally, percussionist Vincent Garrucho arrived completing the cast. Come to think of it, if keyboardist lord Kiko Montecillo did not get himself tide up somewhere and did show up as planned, it would've been absolutely perfect, in my opinion. But then again, it wasn't God's plan. I'll take it any day. He knows what's best.
At the jam, the oldies and their guests had a blast singing along at times in unison, non-stop with the band longer than most anticipated. Expecting an early start and finish for the seniors, the group surprisingly hanged around till past 2am. A record of sorts for most of them. When the birthday party officially ended, the regular guys still stayed longer as it was early by our standards. We actually jammed some more before we finally packed up and called it a night. By the time we finished and closed up it was already 4:30 am. Another super successful event in conclusion! Praise and thank God! Next Friday, Dec.16th, will again be a no go for the regular Friday Jam Night. Instead we move to gather on Saturday, Dec. 17th, for our 2016 PETE'S PLACE MUSIC ROOM CHRISTMAS PARTY. It promises to be another humdinger of an event! Don't miss it! See you all then!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, December 3, 2016
DECEMBER 2, 2016 FRIDAY JAM UPDATE
It's the merry month of December and Christmas is just around the corner. Most homes, offices, shopping malls, parks and most anywhere we go are all spruced up with glitter and holiday ornaments to welcome the yuletide season. For me, the festive atmosphere it brings radiates positive vibe that thoroughly rejuvenates and refreshes the spirit. Indeed, my favorite time of the year.
With the holiday frenzy building up, traffic gridlock all around the metropolis is inevitable. It's understandable that some people get discouraged to move about having to deal with it. Apart from a string of other holiday related activities here and there, it partly explains the unpredictability of people who will eventually make it to the jam. But whatever the case may be, as i always say, we will not be denied. Whatever happens, the show must go on.
At past 9pm, it was Korean based, Air Force brat and dear friend Jet Bueno along with his chef son Jethro arriving first. Nikki Segundo and his office mate (don't know his name), Joaco Marco, Luisa Distor, Rick Trinidad, Mark Longos and balik-music room Emman Yuzon came next. It was great to see my batch mate Selo Cruz who last night brought along his charming wife Mina. It's been years since her last visit. Welcome back to the music room Mina.
Guitarist Bobby Alvarez surprised us with his presence having not seen nor jammed with him for almost a year already, i think. According to him, having a busy work schedule on Fridays, he finds himself too spent after work ending up just staying at home to rest. Eager and mustering enough energy to swing by the music room to jam this time, Bobby made up for lost opportunities and took control of the stage practically all night long. Along with Jet Bueno on drums, Joaco Marco on guitar, Vincent Garrucho on percussion and Rick Trinidad on bass, the jam officially started.
Later, keyboardist extraordinaire and all-around musician Kiko Montencillo shows up. Kiko quickly joined in and showcased his musical versatility playing alternately on the keyboards, guitar and bass. Last night's music was in the 70's and 80's (i'm guessing) though mostly unfamiliar to me with Bobby spearheading most of the song choices. As expected, Kiko was still able play and relate to tunes done. So what else is new to Mr. Montecillo?
With the stage dominated and too busy, some of the regular musicians around found themselves just as spectators. Among them, vocalists Monchie Henares, Michael Puyat, Luisa Distor and Mac de Asis, respectively. On the other hand, as determined as she will always be, my sister-in-law Tintin Mara Reed, will still find her stage time...and so, she did.
It's a fact that it'd been a couple of weekends already that the house band had not had a proper line-up. It will be quite impossible to perform the songs we rehearsed without some key players around. Although i miss the familiar and jazzy tunes we do play, whatever genres we end up with is all good and worthwhile. Definitely beats having not to play at all. How can i complain?
And finally, the action ends at about 4:30am. It was time to call it a night. Mission accomplished.
ANNOUNCEMENT: On Dec. 9th (that's next friday), an EXCLUSIVE 65th birthday bash for the husband of Vicky's (my wife) good friend Jenny Villegas will happen in the music room. They will be renting and had reserved the place for the occasion. So in effect, there will officially be NO FRIDAY JAM NIGHT NEXT WEEK. To all our beloved Pete's Place Music Room friends and patrons...please be guided accordingly. See you all next time.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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