Jam at Pete's Place - Feb. 23, 2018 - Michael Puyat (Dust In The Wind)

FEB. 23, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

Always unique and unpredictable, last night’s story was another one for the books. Starting early with the first guest arriving just when I was opening the front entrance and then quickly continued on with more arrivals minutes later to start the action going. The streak could’ve normally gone on all night but unusually the action ceased prematurely by midnight. Surprise balikbayan guests arrived at past midnight and settled for some delightful bonding but minus the live band on stage till about 3am. Already quiet in the room at this time , the guys who were still around decided to stay a bit longer to smoke, drink and some friendly chitchat but opted to converge at the smoking area prompting me to do a French exit way before our usual closing hour, as I couldn’t really bear breathing second hand smoke. I heard that it was at around 4am when the rest of the guys wrapped up.

Luisa Distor was the very first to arrive followed closely by habitual earlybird, flyboy and guitarist Loren Orendain. Percussionist and versatile musician Vincent Garrucho and his talented daughter Maxine was next to show up. Soon “The Master Showman” Michael Puyat and his lovely wife Amar along with professional session guitarist Larby dela Cruz makes a surprise appearance. Clearly, at the onset, there was really no shortage of musicians to speak of.

Immediately, Michael did not waste time, did his thing and started the ball rolling With Larby and Loren on guitar, Rick Trinidad on drums, Vincent alternating on drums and percussions and myself on bass and featuring some audience participation from guests doing vocals, it was to be Michael’s ala Anything Goes 101 at Pete’s Place. Totally a fun time for everyone, courtesy of the master showman’s stage presence and supervision.

Regrettably, with Michael and Vincent having early commitments the next day, they can’t stay very late. By past midnight they were gone, leaving the stage quiet and empty for an hour or so.

Much later balik-music room and house band honcho Joaco Marco surprisingly shows up. With him were two female friends who he invited along for the purpose of showing the place and maybe to sing on stage too. Unaware that he was actually dropping by the music room, Joaco wasn’t able to bring his guitar with him and had to borrow one available in the room left by another friend. Thank you Richard Parcia for allowing us to use your precious guitar. God bless you.

Not very visible at the Friday jams lately and not having much practice playing the guitar due to his tight work schedule, Joaco struggled a bit playing some songs we used to be familiar with. We did a few tunes along with his guests while I played the bass. Rick joined occasionally and half-heartedly played the drums occasionally, sometimes stopping in the middle of songs while texting somebody on his phone. Eventually, deciding to just drop the sticks altogether to do some other important business leaving me and Joaco alone on stage to accompany the vocalist. Can’t blame him though, as we weren’t cracking it, so to speak. Pretty much the situation at this time of the night.

Making up for the melancholy vibe, it suddenly became a refreshing and envigorating sight to see good old friends drop by. Happy to see balik-bayan and good old friend Beejet Sevilla back in the room. Based in Virginia, Beejet was one of the original members of the music room back in the 80’s. She came with her sister Tecci, Ging General, Skipper and Esmin Aquino, who are all my good friends. Happy to see you all and Bon Voyage Beejet. Hope to see you again in a few years when you come back to Manila.

After my balik-bayan friend’s group left, it was all freezing cold and quiet in the room. There was nothing left for me to do. It was time to make a French exit. Lucky for me that Dondon was around to take charge to keep the others company (at the smoking area) and then closing up after the guests had left.

Thanks to everyone who showed up most specially to my wife Vicky, sister-in-laws Ana Mara and Tintin Mara-Reed, my daughter Nisee, Stephanie Salazar and her brother, Mark de Asis and to youngsters Marco Aquino and group.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Feb. 16, 2018 – Aiko Oropesa (Kisapmata)

The evening started off quite normally with the music room all set and ready for action, as usual, at about 8pm. As in most cases, except for some occasional early arrivals and special events, friends and guests usually start to turn up at past 9 or even later.

As for last night, the very first guy arrived close to 10pm. Jp Bugarin (who used to live nearby) was a regular and a habitual earlybird but had recently moved further south in Sucat where he now resides. Some minutes later, house band Richard Parcia’s group, house band main drummer Bubui Colico along with Geebee Casiano, Benzon Baldelovar and another friend arrived next ahead of him. Apparently, these guys were supposed to come last week but had aborted their plans due to some other pressing commitments.

Teen guitar sensation Joko Reantaso along with his supportive dad Jay, was in the house as well. Among the other musicians who made it over were the versatile Vincent Garrucho and his talented daughter Max, vocalist Monchie Henares, bassist Rick Trinidad, guitarist Reynald Perez along with his friend Aiko Oropesa and keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo.

The jam started fierce and hot with Joko’s fiery presence on lead guitar along with Richard, Rick, Vincent and myself on stage. It is always fun and pleasurable to jam along with a musical genius like this talented kid. We ended up jamming some instrumental tunes to warm up and some other bluesy and familiar songs we could ever think of. It was a non-stop solid musical interaction lasting for hours. Totally exhilarating experience indeed.

Much later, it was about time for the other guests to play. Being able musicians themselves, it actually took a bit of prodding before I was able to entice Geebee, Benzon and company to take over. Afterall, it was, indeed, the very reason why they came over, wasn’t it?

Finally on stage and ready, it was their turn to have fun. The group actually ended up jamming a few nifty songs themselves. Frankly, I would’ve preferred to see them have more stage time. Nevertheless, it was still a good and productive jam for the guys!

At the magic hour at 3am, Kiko, Monchie, Max, Vincent and myself took over. It was an OPM journey all throughout for us. It was totally reminiscing and an enjoyable experience trying out countless old OPM favorites once again. I even had the chance to exercise my vocal chords singing a couple of songs, something i haven't done in a while. Hats off to Kiko for being such a brilliant musician. He is absolutely one of a kind. The music room is truly blessed to have him around.

At just about 5:40am the jam was finally over. The last batch transferred to the smoking area and stayed to wait for the others finish their last stick of cigarettes before finally heading for home. Time to call it a night. Finally, the gate was closed and locked at exactly 6am. What a great night! Praise and thank God!

Special thanks to Richard Parcia for the boxes of sumptuous pizzas he generously shared to everyone. God bless him!

And to the balikbayan guests, Rocky & Heide for gracing our place. Would’ve been great if they had stayed a bit longer to see us in action. Hopefully next time before they fly back to the US.

In closing, let me not forget to greet a good friend, a musical genius and a house band honcho, Tinnie Esguerra, who is celebrating his birthday today (Feb.17th). Happy birthday Tinnie!!!! Wishing you all the very best in life.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Feb. 9, 2018 - House band (Ticket To Ride)

FEB. 9, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

If there is one thing that is certain, when brilliant musicians show up to play, you can definitely be assured of a great jam happening. What could possibly go wrong with awesome talents like Tinnie Esguerra, Kiko Montecillo, Dolf Druz, Rick Trinidad, Bubui Colico, Richard Parcia, Vincent Garrucho, Dante Bosch and Monchie Henares on stage with you? If you are a struggling and striving musician like myself, you are surely in for a treat.

The actual headcount last night wasn’t really that great with just a few friends coming over to watch but the list of musicians who showed up were well enough to make it all worth your while.

It was already past 9pm when the first guest arrived with the rest of the company slowly trickling in hours after. Still shorthanded, we tried to liven things up a bit and get the ball rolling, tuned and tinkered with the instruments to get ourselves set and warmed up while waiting for the rest to arrive. It was already past midnight when the band was more complete and got into serious business.

We played some jazzy instrumental tunes with Tinnie manning the keyboards, Dolf on lead guitar, Richard on 2nd guitar, Rick on bass, Vincent and Dante on percussions and myself on drums. Richard did vocals on some songs as well.

At this point, house band main drummer Bubui Colico and keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo had already arrived and on board. Vocalists Monchie and Kikoy Ventura decided to join in, now that the band was finally complete. It was smooth sailing from then on for us. We made a decent accounting of our effort after learning and recording one of our newest song assignments we had planned to work on. As always, everything seems to work to our favor at the renowned Magic Hour.

With Kiko expertly lording over the keys, Rick and myself alternating on bass, Bubui on drums, Dolf on lead guitar, Vincent on percussions and Monchie and Kikoy providing the vocals, the trend shifted to every 70’s and 80’s classic tunes that we can ever think of at that moment. We enjoyed playing each and every one we tried until we finally hit a wall and ran out of songs to play. No complaints, as we were jamming non-stop for more than an hour already. The jam finally ended at about 5am.

Special thanks to Marc de Asis for the sumptuous supply of pizzas he provided for everyone to feast on. God bless you for your generosity.

Also acknowledging the presence of Luisa Distor, Rico Tayko, Reynald Perez, Dondon and Vincent’s friend Manny Gaczskima. Thank you all for joining and being a good audience. See you all again next time.

And so, another night of great bonding and music for all of us. As always, I praise and thank God for the blessing.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLES US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Feb. 2, 2018 - Leo Diano & Red Aquino (Lovely Day)

FEB. 2, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

From dismal to euphoric was the end result to last night’s action packed shindig in comparison to last week with everything happening quickly and progressively from start to finish. The energy was fierce and fiery from the very first band that performed with the momentum carrying on all the way to the last batch till closing time at past 5am.

The festivity started quite early with consistent early bird and guitarist Loren Orendain being the very first in attendance arriving ahead of his surprise guests. Apparently, a handful of Loren’s musician friends had planned to drop by to play. The group comprising of Bobbit Uson, Roy Secillano, Larry Velasco, Paul Viloria, Khuji, and Jeng Tria was a collaboration of musician friends majority of whom were members of the rock band Mutiny.

The group proceeded with a series of catchy chord progression jams to warm up before exploding into a frenzy of hair raising and ear shattering classic rock tunes spearheaded by Mutiny power vocalist Paul Villoria to the absolute delight of the crowd. They jammed some familiar covers of classics both by local and international artists. Surely an utter treat and thrill to all the rock enthusiasts in the crowd. My hats off to these guys for an awesome jam.

Quickly after the first wave of musicians had finished their stint, house band honcho Tinnie Esguerra, Nitoy Adriano, bassist Rick Trinidad, jazz guitarist Dolf Cruz, vocalists Mayette Clemente and her brother Nando Alberto then took over. I joined them to add to the roster, alternately playing the drums and the bass. We did some jazzy instrumentals and some vocal songs courtesy of siblings Mayette and Nando along with Luisa Distor who joined in towards the end of the jam. A totally delightful mix of contrasting genres enjoyed and experienced by all from start to finish. What a night! Praise and thank God.

It was great to see Air Force brat and childhood friends Leo Diano, Red Aquino and Pito Lawas in the house. Both based abroad (Australia and Macau respectively), Leo and Red fortunately were both in town timely on a Friday night. The three music room pioneers, fresh from their brief rendezvous abroad together, decided to round themselves up to make a pilgrimage back to their music room home base while Red and Leo are still around. Welcome back to the music room guys!

Utmost appreciation to another Air Force brat and childhood friend, Chef Raymond Donesa, for preparing and sharing with everyone his “to die for” paella masterpiece. Honestly, I am not really fond of eating paella but this one was totally amazing. I actually found myself having multiple servings before I stopped eating. Super tasty and delicious is definitely an understatement. More power to the master chef!

My gratitude too to batchmate Jun Bediones, Selo Cruz, Cali Tiansay, sis-in-law Ana Mara, Allan Coscolluela, Reynald Perez, Kikoy Ventura, my Mom, my wife Vicky, Dondon and my niece Tina Mara and her friend for joining us last night.

And finally, i thank all concerned for cooperating and adapting to the change in making our maiden beer charging system work. Problem solved.

And so, we look forward to another fun week ahead.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!