Jam at pete's Place - Aug. 25, 2017 - Lou Bonnevie (Nothing But A Heartache)

AUGUST 25, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

Why must i even worry on a Friday jam Night even if circumstances don’t seem to look fittingly well to your favor at the start? Time and again, when you would think of the worst to happen something will always come up to compensate and make things fall into place. When will i ever learn?

A day earlier, i was given a heads-up that our good friend Lou Bonnevie will be dropping by to join and jam with us. Naturally, i had hoped to have at least a proper band line up to show up to make it worthwhile for her.

Untimely, some key house band members had earlier begged off for some reason or another. Some were willing but uncertain if they could come 100%. Well, i actually could fill in the void playing bass or drums but of course I can only play an instrument at a time. At this point I wasn’t sure how things will turn out.

The first breath of fresh air was guitar icon Nitoy Adriano’s timely intent to come. Having been missing and unavailable for some time due to his Friday night Roadhouse gigs, he conveniently found free time and had planned to join. To top that, he even arrived along with his Rock ‘n Roll Sgt. Pepper Band, spearheaded by the big boss and studio owner Ed Evangelista and his cohorts.

In addition, house band drummer Bubui Colico, who had earlier begged off due to personal matters, found himself back in the room after his previous plans had been aborted. Even the bass chores that was needed to be filled was promptly met with young bass protégé John Arcega's presence. I need not even have to lift a finger nor do anything else. Incidentally, it was to be John’s farewell stint in the music room as he is already leaving on Monday for New York to pursue his studies. We wish John all the best.

When Pinoy Rock icon Lou Bonnevie arrived, Sgt. Pepper Band was still on stage just about to end the first set. After a short break, Lou finally joined the band on their second salvo. On stage, she sang and played the guitar and did her thing while the guest band gamely backed her up. As always, Lou’s performance was totally electrifying and on a different plain. Her stage presence and savvy was totally outstanding. Always a sight to watch and behold. A true artist worthy of her stature.

After the guest band was done at past 2am, it was not over yet for Lou. Just some minutes of peace and quiet was all it took. It was finally the house band’s turn on stage. Catman Kiko Montecillo caught up at past 3am and took over the keyboards along with Bubui on drums, John Arcega on bass, Vincent Garruncho on percussion, Monchie Henares, Lou and myself on vocals and on some occasions Toto Gentica tinkering with the keys while Luisa did some vocals.

Finally at exactly 5:25am it was all over. Time to call it a night. What an awesome evening it was! Praise and thank God.

And so that’s how the cookie crumbled. We thank each and everyone who came to the fun gathering last night. Everyone was absolutely instrumental (pun intended…hehe) for its success! We now look forward to next week’s festivities with zeal and anticipation.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 18, 2017 - Out of Order (Ride)

AUGUST 18, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

For two consecutive weekends to date, the Friday Jam Night started early and had lasted all the way till daylight with both immensely packed with fun, surprises and non-stop music.

Having received a facebook private message earlier from Vanessa Orendain (fly boy and guitarist Loren Orendain’s wife) asking for our complete home address, made me suspect that Loren was in town and might have had invited some friends over to join him. Having an inkling that he was, I had to make sure to come down much earlier than usual to prepare the music room as he habitually comes quite early.

True enough, Loren arrived at exactly 8pm. With him was his good buddy and “Flightskool” band mate Capt. Winford , a fellow music room patron, co-airline pilot, a talented and an accomplished musician as well. Jeng, their bassist and Harold, the drummer, were to follow some minutes later.
Loren, Winford and company took first crack on stage and did 2 delightfully lengthy sets of awesome covers with Winford masterfully playing guitar and on vocals to the total delight of just a few of us who were in the room at the time. As always, it is a treat to see them perform.

Guitarist Tosh Murayama, who is in the country, was in the house as well. He invited two of his lady friends, Cucay Pagdilao and Anne Cambe who, apparently, were both music majors. Cucay was a keyboardist while Anne was a vocalist. Though Anne shied off to participate despite persistent prodding, Cucay was game enough to perform and jammed along with us. House band honchos Rick Trinidad, Pj Cura, Vincent Garrucho, Tosho, myself and the newby were to be the next band on stage.

Much much later at around 3am, Pau Villanueva and the Athalie band fulfilled their anticipated comeback. “Out of Order” band , made good their promise as well, returned in full force with their 6-man band intact, as they had pronounced they would. Comprising the roster were Aj Soliman, Russ Tunggol, Jason Ursua, Eric Diamailig, Jaris Orobia and Anthony Cachero.The young and ultra energetic band impressed the crowd with their breathtaking and electrifying performance, quite remarkable considering their youthful age. They are indeed getting younger and younger these days.

Next on stage was Athalie. As usual, their inimitable style, control and poise was again very noticeable throughout their performance. Obviously much more relaxed and confident since the last time we watched them play. More power to these guys.

Assuming that when the two guest band finished at past 5am, it will be over? Well, think again! We definitely were not done yet! Talk about resilience, Catman Kiko Montecillo on the keys, Rick Trinidad on drums/vocals, Tosh Murayama, Pj Cura, Vincent Garrucho and myself on bass will have more of it. We eventually did with gusto and continued to jam till past 6am. What can I say?

Thanks to everyone who joined us. Special thanks to Toronto based childhood friend and Air Force brat TA Aquino who is likewise in town on a much deserved vacation. Always grateful to see good old friends around. Praise God!

And so another night of awesome fun, frolic and music had transpired. Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Already anticipating and looking forward to next week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 11, 2017 - Pau Villanueva

AUGUST 11, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

The fun and revelry started quite early last night, in fact too early for comfort for some, as a few company had arrived at 7pm, an hour to our official start while the place was still closed.

As I was doing my usual rounds to prepare, i opened the door to the front entrance and to my surprise saw vocalist Tetel Serra and their bassist Xyrus Judan already waiting outside. Sheepishly, when I asked them why they did not let themselves in when they arrived, they said that they were just fine. Apparently, they were too shy to knock and just opted to wait instead. Frankly, I felt a little bit inhospitable making them wait instead of letting them in. If only I knew, I would have ushered them in immediately. Embarrasing indeed. My apologies guys.

Soon, the rest of the band members arrived. Keyboardist Ralph Gulapa, guitarist/vocalist Richard Parcia, lead guitarist Erwin Dimaculangan and drummer Bubui Colico makes their entrance completing the “Tetel” band. Keyboardist Roger Salazar showed up and gamely joined them as well. It was going to be a fun night for the gang.

It didn’t take too long before the guys settled in to start the jam. Bubui hooked up his nifty drum machine to the mixer and positioned it next to the house drum kit, while the rest did too with their respective gears. Finally they were all set and ready. It was time to play.

The band did 2 long sets of songs in their repertoire at times rehearsing some new tunes they needed to learn. At about past midnight they were just about done as some of their band mates needed to go.

Strangely, at past 1pm the live music stopped with the stage suddenly and unusually void of jammers. The crowd was divided in two with most of them lounging at the smoking area and some including myself in the music room just chilling and listening to piped-in music. Still, the regular house band guys had yet to jam. More than an hour of tranquility had past. At this point I personally thought that the jam and possibly the whole evening might already be prematurely done and over.

However, as always unpredictable, the gathering suddenly breathed new life when at past 2am, a flock of young musicians suddenly arrives seemingly all out to jam and party. Spearheaded by Pete’s Place neophytes Pau Villanueva, John Arcega along with former Monotones band personalities Ryan Pineda, Ryan Nacino and their musician friends, the jammers nonchalantly took center stage and played their hearts out till past 5am.

When the youngsters were done and finally packed up and left, keyboardist Catman Kiko Montecillo, percussionist Vincent Garrucho , his vocalist daughter Maxine and myself on the bass, at long last, took over the jam finale to cap the night. It was better late than never. What was meant to be just a song or two extended to a few more. Hard to quit even if you wanted to when you're still having fun.We finally packed up at just about daylight at exactly 5:45am. What a night!

Special thanks to kumpadre Monchie Henares (did not jam last night) and balikbayan son Miguel, Rick Trinidad, Gab Villanueva, Christian Villanueva and girlfriend, Luisa Distor, Nikki Segundo, Ed Diano, Marc de Asis, Nicky Hidalgo (didn't forget to acknowledge you this time) and the rest of the guests and new comers who dropped by.

And so this is how it was last night. Already looking forward to next week. As always, we thank and praise God for all the blessings. Till the next time.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 4, 2017 - Athalie

AUGUST 4, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

As officially proclaimed, the month of August was to be Pete’s Place stalwart and my kumpadre Monchie Henares’ birthday month celebration. Precisely dated on August 2nd, the celebration continues unabated with friends and family in cahoots cheerfully making sure it happens. Last night was another successful indication of the festive spirit with the evening full of pleasurable surprises.

The festivity started quite conventional but surely accelerated to delightful frenzy as the night quickly progressed. Gab Villanueva was as usual at the forefront and the early bird. Minutes later, lo and behold, highschool batchmate Allan Flores, after more than a year or two in absentia finally makes an appearance. What a great surprise to see brader Allan back in the room after so long. It was about time for him to catch up and jump into the spirit of things once again. It was a fitting reunion for him as well with co-Bosconian batchmates Jun Bediones and Selo Cruz also around. Hopefully our Bataan based comrade’s next visit will not be too long from now.

Next on the list of arrivals were good friends and music room honchos Richard Parcia, Rick Trinidad, Erwin Dimaculangan and Marc de Asis. With Richard and Erwin was another musician friend (don’t recall the name).

Right about this time the birthday boy arrives. Fresh from last Friday's supply of mouthwatering pancit Malabon, care of Arabelle, last night the celebrant brought along a bottle of schnapps, a bottle of red wine and snacks and then topped if off by ordering boxes of sumptuous pizza officially commencing last night’s chapter of his month long celebration. What a guy!

The jam was fun with balik-musicroom Allan performing and playing his familiar stuff reminiscent of the past to start off the live music. As usual, the band members took turns on stage and sometimes interchanging instruments along the way. Richard, Erwin and company, likewise, had their own stage time playing their own set of song choices as well. Incidentally, master showman Michael Puyat and lovely wife Amar were in the house too.

Among the other regular house band musicians who gamely joined me were drummer Bubui Colico, percussionist Vincent Garrucho and the Catman keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo.

At past 3am, just as when we thought that the jam was winding down and about to come to a conclusion, a group of young talented girls suddenly shows up to perform on stage. Quite a treat for everyone as the youngsters came to their own and surprised the crowd with good entertainment. "Athalie", their band name, they comprise of Pauline Villanueva (guitar/vocals), Janine Flores (keyboard/vocals), Kristella Enriquez (bass/vocals) and Mika Cruz (drums/vocals). Mostly in their early 20’s, the band performed originals and covers arranged in their own superb unique style with nifty vocal harmonies to boot. Very impressive indeed.

Apparently, the girls had invited 2 other guys from another band they had met at their previous gig. Joining them were tenor saxophonist Eric Dimailig and keyboardist Jaris Orobia. The two concluded the jam with some standard cool jazzy tunes on the sax and piano to the delight of the audience. Great job guys!

For closers, the house band took over when the guest band left till 5:30am for the customary night cap jam we had fondly called the “Magic Hour”. As usual, Kiko masterfully took charge of the keys while the birthday boy sang to his heart’s content collaborating along with the rest of us in the band who were still well in the zone. What a night indeed! Praise and thank God!

My utmost thanks to everyone who joined us. Definitely made the evening extra special! We look forward to next week’s gathering. See you all then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!