VVCC bday Jam - April 27, 2018 - House band and Roger's band collaboration

FRIDAY VVCC 50th BIRTHDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

With the music room’s prearranged lock up this weekend, our regular Friday Jam took place, instead, at the vintage Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig where Pete’s Place Music Room dear friend and drummer Atty. Jj Disini celebrated his 50th birthday. A horde of music room regular guys converged and accompanied me to greet the celebrant and to perform on stage along with the other invited participants from the celebrant’s side lined-up in the program. It flourished into an all night musical extravaganza from 10 till past 2am comprising of musical talents, mostly lawyer friends and colleagues of the celebrant apart from our group.

Kudos to Jj’s charming wife, Owens, who did a fantastic job organizing the event. Great food, great stage set-up and awesome line-up of talents to perform. Initially conceptualized to be held at the music room, the party had to be relocated to another bigger venue to accommodate the large number of guests attending. Hats off to the organizers. Well done!

Jj’s daughter and son started the ball rolling, warming up the stage and rendering some songs they had prepared then followed by their mom who sang too. Next was Jj and his collegues’ band from their college days who did some classic tunes from their era. Next on the list was an entertaining quartet who did great vocal harmony accompanied by a long set of pre-recorded track backing them up. More and more performers from the celebrant’s side participated before the music room guys could actually step in.

Finally, after all the other performers were finished, it was time for the music room guys to jam. Kelly Badon of the original Side A band, who happens to be a frequent and favorite guest musician of the house band came to join us. As expected, he took center stage and was at the forefront doing vocals and guitar. Xtine Mercado of the Brat Pack was on bass and did some vocals, Rick Trinidad on alternate bass, Bubui Colico, Jj Disini alternating on drums, Kiko Montecillo, Pecky Casuela, Roger Salazar, Tinnie Esguerra and Sheldon Abuton on the keyboards (Dolf Cruz tinkered with the keys occasionally, too), Anton Atengco on guitar, Vincent Garrucho on percussion and finally Monchie Henares, Richard Parcia, house band female guest vocalist Calai Mapua and myself ( I just sang one song) on vocals.

Our utmost gratitude to the hosts Jj and Owens for inviting us over to take part of this grand and momentous event. We had so much fun! We wish you both good health and prosperity in the many more years to come. God bless you both.

Next Friday, May 4th, we will back to our regular Friday Jam Night at Pete’s Place Music Room. Already excitedly looking forward to be back in our own turf. See you all then!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - April 20, 2018 - Rozy Torres of K.O. Jones playing lead guitar

APRIL 20, 2018 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS –

Compensating for the recent drop in attendance by the regular music room old timers and jammers, it appears that the past weekends had mostly been dominated by the Generation Z society. Their numbers had steadily increased to practically being the majority toppling even the millennials with the guests and performer’s ages ranging from their teens and early twenties. Credit to the young and talented musician Pau Villanueva, the Monotones and their cohorts, their dominion was indeed very convenient and timely.

Last night, consistent early bird and music room veteran Loren Orendain arrived an hour later from his usual but was still the very first to show up, followed by his band mate guitarists Larry Velasco and Bobby Alvarez. Soon, Pau walks in along with Divino Dayacap, her new recruit who plays the keyboards. Some members of the rock band “Diesel”, the band she had invited and performed last week, made a comeback as well, this time with more friends with them. More youngsters continued to flock the place every minute and arrived in droves packing the music room to the rafters, some having their precious stage time as well.

The live music started off with Loren, Bobby, Larry and myself on board but quickly got some unexpected reinforcements as soon as the other newbie jammers arrived. Eventually, the young blood completely took over and lorded the stage till closing time when the elders stepped down. Obviously enjoying and relishing their experience, the new breed took turns, interchanging instruments they would play and jammed all night long as if there was no tomorrow. I actually had to declare a cut off closing time at 5am otherwise the jam could’ve persisted till sunrise. I am just grateful to God that our humble place could elicit joy and gratification not only to me, my family and close friends but to others who had come to experience the place, as well. After all, that is what Pete’s Place Music Room is all about.

Special mention to old friends and Air Force brats Jb Gabor and Rico Tayko, classmate Jun Bediones, percussionist house band Vincent Garrucho and to house band bassist Rick Trinidad who made it to the room just before closing time. Likewise to Rozy Torres of K.O. Jones for being a good sport jamming with the guys. Thank you all for your presence.

Please be informed that next Friday, April 27th, the music room will be CLOSED to give way to an event for our good friend and house band drummer Jj Disini who will be celebrating his 50th birthday on Friday. Initially conceptualized and planned to be held in Pete's Place, the birthday jam will be celebrated instead in Valle Verde Club from 9pm onwards to accommodate more guests. I will definitely not miss it for the world. And so, to all the regular music room friends, join us in celebrating Jj's special milestone. I hope to see you all there. We will be back to our regular Friday Jam on May 4th.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - April 13, 2018 - Believe it or not we're just warming up (Diesel)

APRIL 13, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

Through all the years, more than 3 decades to be exact, it is clear and quite established that our Friday jam nights constantly changes in character and go through different phases in time. There will be seasons when the room will be packed with merrymakers each and every gathering and months when there will just be a few of us. Even the regular characters and musicians who habitually comes fades and in the process will just be part of a delightful and fond memory. Whatever happens, providence always finds a way to compensate to a favorable outcome equally gratifying, giving us wholesome contentment time and again. Such is the nature of Pete’s Place Music room.

Lately, the house band members had lost its grip on keeping the roster intact with the attendance garnering at its lowest. Gradually dwindling in numbers, for some reason or another, we consistently end up falling short of completing a proper ensemble to perform. It was already months since the house band was last respectably intact. Even if on some sparse weekends there will be a house band to speak of, the next time would be unpredictable.

These past months, assembling, at the least, a required house band team on board was indeed difficult and hard to come by, but such is life in the music room. There will always be a saving force. God is watching. Something always makes up for it. The show must go on.

Last night, the room was packed to the rafters with guests and friends with mostly the young and the restless taking over the stage. The much improved and maturing Monotones band comprising of Ryan Nacino, Ryan Pineda, Rj Palma and the youthful talented female guitarist/vocalist/composer Pau Villanueva, took the limelight and commenced the evenings live entertainment. Pau invited along a band of young, dynamic and aspiring rock musicians who performed as well.

Comprising of band members mostly in their teens (except for their drummer who was twenty one years of age), “Diesel”, as they call themselves, was a total experience. While waiting for their turn to play, these seemingly demure and courteous group of kids transformed into wild beasts as soon as they started to perform. I was mesmerized and likewise totally surprised the crowd with their head banging, ear popping performance of original songs they had arranged since in high school. They will definitely be a favorite for hard rock aficionados. More power (but less volume on the guitars..please) to these guys!

Pau and the Monotones collaborated and jammed another set along with the guest musicians when Diesel’s set was over. At past 2am, Kiko Montecillo finally shows up, took his position and changed the mood a bit. Drummer Bubui Colico was in the house as well, along with Richard Parcia, Vincent Garrucho, Reynald Perez and Aiko Oropesa who did vocals while I, on the other hand, played the bass. Tisoy Henares’ son, Iñigo, played 2nd percussion and drums too. We had so much fun jamming that we persisted on playing till past 5am. All’s well that ends well. Mission accomplished!

My thanks to Loren Orendain, Bobby Alvarez, Jojo Armas for the short but fun jam and to Nikki Segundo, Marc de Asis, Tisoy Henares and his uncle Epifanio Torre and his guests for their presence.

As always, I thank and praise God for the blessing and the opportunity. Till the next time, folks! See you then.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - April 6, 2018 - Flightskool (Roxanne)

APRIL 6, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

God truly works in mysterious ways. It never ceases to amaze me how truly blessed we all are, and how things fall right into place despite all odds. There are times when circumstances unintentionally mend itself and find its way to our favor even without us lifting a finger. We just have to have faith and trust in Him. Last night was one of those noteworthy and special moments.

If not for the spontaneous and unpremeditated appearance of unexpected musicians conveniently around with hardly anyone from the regular house band showing up, it would’ve turned out to be another quiet and uneventful evening. Well, clearly God had other plans.

Thanks to the timely presence of the exciting Flightskool band spearheaded by flyboys Loren Orendain and Winford Martillana along with Southern Musician founder and exceptional drummer Roy Secillano, ultra talented bass man Empi Martinez and guitarist Larry Velazquez, and to Pau Villanueva of Athalie and Carousel Casualties along with the much improved Monotones band comprising of Ryan Nacino, Ryan Pineda and Rj Palma plus their guests playing second fiddle, everything turned out perfectly.

Flightskool was a thrill and a total delight playing two awesome sets with Winford at the forefront doing exceptional vocals and guitar to everyone’s approval and delight. The band even made a couple of encores towards the end after Winford was done and stepped off the stage. Pau and the Monotones, on the other hand, took turns with the masters and did alternating sets and even closing up the night’s live entertainment concluding at around 4am. House band Dennis Espiritu and his former high school Industrial Drafting instructor companion Joe Miranda, “Sir Joe” as he is fondly called, briefly got their grips to jam on stage with myself ending up doing the drumming chores before turning it over to the kids to finally wrap things up. My congratulations to all the musicians who performed for a great job.

Special mention to music room family and friends Cali Tiansay, Luisa Distor, sis-in-law Tin Mara Reed, Allan Rufino, Raul Julian, balik-music room and Bacolod based Tisoy Henares and son Iñigo, to siblings Mayette Clemente and Nando Alberto, Henry Abesamis and his group, Air Force brats Rico Tayko, Red Aquino and daughter Nicka, and of course to the charming couple Michael and Amar Puyat for their welcome and valuable presence. Always grateful to see these guys around. God bless them all.

And so it goes…another wonderfully blessed and successful night for all to cherish. As always, I thank and praise God for the opportunity and experience. Already excitedly looking forward to next week’s festivity.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!