Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 24, 2018 - Reg Gutierrez

AUG. 24, 2018 - FRIDAYJAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

As always a unique and spontaneous experience every time, last night’s assemblage was quite in contrast to the last. As in the past few weekends, the youngsters comprised the majority of the population but this time it was the elders who had dominion over the room. Amusingly, the turnout of senior citizens who showed up to party was a whopping 60% of the crowd, 30%, on the other hand, were music room old timers and pioneers, the remaining minority were the younger generation. It was great to see this group converge. I must say that it is such a gift to be blessed with our very own sacred sanctuary where friends and family can merge where age doesn’t really matter. For this, I praise and thank God unceasingly.

I was pleasantly surprised to see music room old timer and guitarist Reg Gutierrez back in the room after quite a long time in absentia. I think the last time I saw him was in 2016 at my son’s fundraiser. Reg used to be a regular during the 90’s when he was still unattached and residing nearby. He had since settled down and relocated up south together with his growing family. Nice to see you back in the music room Reg.

Air Asia flyboy Loren Orendain finally found time and relief, being too busy with uncompromising flight schedules. Itching to get back in the room to jam, he finally found a window of free time to come over to play. Fresh from a deserving promotion, next week he will be back in the grind once more to take on the challenge of being a commercial pilot. Hope to see Loren back sooner than soon.

It was great to see childhood friend and music room pioneer Chef Raymond Donesa around. He tagged along two of his good buddies by the names of Albert Tagle and Bu Robles. Albert is from L.A. California and is in town just for a visit while Bu is their close friend. Incidentally, Raymond is himself scheduled to leave for abroad for a couple of culinary commitments located in two different continents that he needed to fulfill. More power to your culinary career my friend.

Another pleasant surprise was the presence of drummer Atty. Jj Disini. The last time I saw him was at his successful birthday party at the Valle Verde Country club last April were the house band was invited to perform. Jj walked in the room close to midnight, didn’t waste time and went straight on stage to play the drums. I realized that he needed to maximize his time and be as productive as he can as he couldn’t stay too long. You can’t blame the guy as he lives all the way up north at the UP Campus. Very nice to see you again Jj.

Guitarist Joaco Marco, bassist Rick Trinidad, percussionist Vincent Garrucho, guitarist/vocalist Richard Parcia were the only personalities from the house band who made it over to join me. It was a brief, but nonetheless, fun stint for Joaco. Without his own trusty guitar with him, he just had to use Richard’s nifty Fender Strat instead. Always great to jam with this chap.

At about closing time, the Monotones spearheaded by Ryan Nacino, Rj Palma and Ryan Pineda along with their group mates, caught up and jammed a few songs before calling it a night at about 3am. Reynald Perez was the very last person to show up. Had a quick drink before he left but not without giving a hand in helping us out tidy the place when we closed up. Better late than never Reynald. And so, all’s well that ends well, as I always say. Praise and thank God!

In a few days (Aug 27th) our much anticipated “A Brother’s Plea by Tinnie Esguerra…A Fundraiser” will finally happen at the 19East in Sucat, Parañaque. Let’s all reach out to our brothers in need and spread the love. The event is set to commence at 7pm. Promises to be an awesome night of great music. See you all there!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 17, 2018 - Giving "Real Thing" a try after a long time (House Band)

AUG. 17, 2018 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

Our Friday Jam Night is back in action after a week in hiatus due to last weekend’s party busy schedule for the music room. Despite the crazy stormy weather we are experiencing these past few weeks, the spirit of bonding friendship and love for music clearly overcomes any impediment. Come what may, we will survive. As the saying goes..the show must go on.

Last night’s attendance was mostly the young blood. Spearheaded by the much improved Monotones band, Ryan Nacino and Rj Palma were the first to show up. Still in the process of preparations for their upcoming village event gig this September, they had added a new member to their group. Gav Sabalburo, a young talented and aspiring drummer will be part of their cast. His second time to jam in the room, Gav continues to show much promise and potential being one of the better drummers i’ve seen in a long time. At 22 years of age, his future as a musician, if he pursues it, indeed looks bright.

Next on the list to arrive were frontrunners Jian Nisnisan and Justine Lim of Diesel Band. Their other band mates, who were just right behind them along with a horde of other friends, comprised the mob. This group had been consistent with their presence in the room and rarely comes without their avid supporters around to watch them perform. When they are present you can expect a good sized crowd along with them.

The jam started off quite well with myself being able to collaborate, jamming lengthily along with the others on stage. I was able to play the drums briefly at the onset but spent most of the time on the bass. With veteran house band honchos in the likes of guitarist Joaco Marco, percussionist Vincent Garrucho, bassist Rick Trinidad and vocalist Monchie Henares in the house to join me plus with Ryan on keyboards and Gav on drums, we were good and raring to go.

The jam was reminiscent of the good old Magic Hour days. Joaco, with his wide array of catchy familiar songs we had not done in a long time was quite daunting but when we did it just seemed to flow and come right back. Monchie did justice to his vocals as always. Vincent and Rick did a good accounting of themselves as well. Great job guys..as always!

With only seven headstrong elderlies who are Pete’s Place pioneers around, we felt that the positive vibe and connection with the kids were in existence blending with the youngsters while we jammed on stage. Definitely a sign of good things to come. Indeed, practice makes perfect for the youngsters. The jam finally concluded at exactly 3:45am. All's well that end's well.

And so the regular Friday Jam is back. Life goes on for everyone at Pete’s Place. Looking forward to the next episode. As always I praise and thank God!

Aug. 27th is fast approaching. Please come out and support our fundraiser..”A Brother’s Plea by Tinnie Esguerra..A Fundraiser” at the 19East. Check out the event poster circulating around for details. We hope to be able to raise enough funds to help out a dear friend from financial woes. Hospital bills to be exact. Now it’s time to get together and be one. With all your support and with God’s abundant blessings, we can definitely achieve this.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

Jam at Pete's Place - Aug. 3, 2018 - My jam time with the kids

AUG. 3, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS

If not for just a minority of us in seniority, last night’s crowd was totally dominated by the youngsters. It was practically just myself, house band percussionist Vincent Garrucho and drummer Boots Bautista who were the only elder original music room musicians around. Needless to say, we were outnumbered and therefore stage time for us was almost nil. The young crop of musicians from at least 3 different bands converged and collaborated on stage, took over and jammed all night to their fill. We just had to settle for some quickie jams, so to speak, when the bands were taking their break.

In fact, half of the rock band Diesel were already hanging out outside the entrance waiting for their bandmates to show up even before I had actually officially opened the place. The jam ensued immediately after the rest of them had arrived.

Next on the list were a young accomplished band, Carousel Casualties, spearheaded by Pau Villanueva. Then came Ryan Pineda and Ryan Nacino of the now refined and improved Monotones along some other new young recruits.

As imagined, the jam was generally loud and ear popping with each one hugging the limelight and seemingly trying to outdo one another. Repetitive chord progressions that seemed to insanely last forever were the vibe and common denominator of each and every tune played(facepalm). It was only later on when the more experienced among the lot influenced the vibe that things found order, mellowed down a bit, subsequently, making it more agreeable and pleasing to the ears. Right there will you notice and appreciate the level of maturity the Monotones’ honchos had already earned. Their hobnobbing and musical interactions with the masters surely had its welcome benefits. Hats off and more power to the Monotones.

Unusually, by 2am most of the musicians had called it a night leaving just a few others behind. After more than an hour long lull, the stage came to life once more. Ryan Pineda along with his musician friend Pierce de Guzman (playing a white hand held keyboard? Similar to Kiko and Pecky’s) and another young talented drummer by the name of Gav Sabalburo.

It was now time for me to jam. I filled in the blanks and played bass while Ryan played the keyboards, Pierce with his hand held keys and Gav on drums. I must admit that I actually had fun with that stint. We were actually feeling it. Ryan had improved a lot and showed enormous signs of progress playing any instrument he chooses unsurprisingly so being of bloodline with exceptional musicians. Gav was a revelation as well. At 22, he is one, if not the best drummer amongst the youngsters that I had ever jammed with. He is very promising and ,most definitely, has a great future if he pursues his musical career.

The jam persisted for the rest of the night till around 4:45am. After the jam, Nikki Segundo, Boots Bautista, bro Dondon Lambatin Frac and a few other youngsters were the last men standing.

Incidentally, another exciting shindig is in the offing when kumpadre Monchie Henares hosts his much anticipated birthday celebration tonight. So much excitement already in the air. I am definitely looking forward to another blockbuster party happening soon.

SEE YOU ALL TONIGHT! GOD BLESS US ALL!