Saturday, August 31, 2019
AUG. 30, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
As always, it is hard to predict what transpires in each unique Friday night at the music room. Just when you thought that you had already figured out completely how things are you suddenly hit a brick wall. When will I ever learn?
Unlike last week, tonight was a rebirth of the past. Old timers, pioneers, regulars and even the house band had a better showing. And of course, having around old friends from way back is always a treat. The mood was warm and perfect and with the band busy on stage backing up every vocalist, it was a typical music room vibe we are normally used to. Nonetheless, unlike last week’s dominance, the young blood’s representation was solitary. As always, i thank God for another wonderful evening.
It was great to see fellow Air Force brat Skip Aquino and his lovely wife Esmin and also Tecci Sevilla back in the room. Air Force brat Ed Diano likewise made a comeback after some time in absentia along with his amusing unconventional antics we miss too. It’s always a pleasure to see this guy around. To me, the music room will never be complete without Ed. By the way, Air Force brat John Sarmiento was around as well.
Among the guys who made it over to jam were Vincent Garrucho, Monchie Henares, Rick Trinidad, Ryan Nacino, Mayette Clemente, Nando Alberto, Toby Alberto and Steph Salazar. Mayette and Steph along with Toby, Nando and Monchie dominated the vocals with Rick, Vincent and myself alternating on whatever instrument needs playing. If you must know, by culture, multitasking is the name of the game at the music room. Overall, a great jam much gratifying for all that persisted till past 4am.
Special thanks to Rick Trinidad for the cake and to Nando Alberto for the snacks. Acknowledging also the presence of Luisa Distor, Atty. Maggie Tamin, Mano Estrella and Ryan Nacino for their presence. God bless you all.
And so another successful weekend at the music room had come to an end. I am already looking forward to what’s in store for next week’s jam. Till then….
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, August 24, 2019
AUG. 23, 2019 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Last night we were given a glimpse of the inevitable when the younger generation finally takes dominion over the old timers. With the regular house band musician’s uncertain presence and dwindling numbers, a new breed will soon take over to fill in the slack…C’est la vie.
The evening’s population was predominantly the young, originating from different groups who had lately visited the music room to jam and some newcomers. Talented and promising youngsters with remarkable musical adeptness echoed throughout the night displaying skills that are totally exceptional, to say the least. Impressive in their individual performances, the guys were truly awesome and fun to jam with.
Among the young guns who performed were dynamic 5-string fretless bassist Ana Declaro and Tristan Rusel Castro who played wicked ukulele that totally impressed me. Both are members of the Rhythmo Y Cuerdas Band that currently performs in Newport. Talented flutist/bassist Carl Arcilla along with drummer RJ Alfafara and keyboardist Theo Blanch were all a welcome revelation. With their inherent talents you can already tell that these guys are destined for greatness.
The jam was totally breathtaking and the variety of tunes played were masterfully executed displaying each individuals virtuosity with their chosen instrument. The few regular guys who showed up had stage time as well and blended as always. With the improved audio from the new speaker system everything was perfect. Unrelenting, the live music persisted till past 4am. What a great set of musicians tonight. I really had fun!
The only two House Band guys who made it over were Vincent Garrucho and Monchie Henares. Also, acknowledging the presence of Gab Villanueva, Luisa Distor, Steph Salazar, Nikki Segundo, Pau Villanueva, Ryan Nacino and their friends.
Incidentally, apart from the newbie performers that made it over to the room was another group from The Generics Pharmacy Company, their building situated just outside our village. Apparently, this group was looking for a place nearby to hang out and coincidentally found us on the internet. They stayed to witness the jam and enjoyed the setting good enough to plan a return with more recruits next time they come. Welcome to the music room guys.
And as usual, most would stay longer to mingle and chill at the smoking area before going home. I finally locked up at exactly 4:45am. And so another successful night had commenced…Praise God.
In closing, let me just say that, i am happy to welcome these new young talents to the fore anytime. I can actually hang my gloves whenever for these kids. After all, the music will live on at the music room forever. In God's will and grace!
See you all next week.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, August 17, 2019
AUGUST 16, 2019 – FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Last night was quite a simple but interesting evening with a negligible number of musicians performing on stage and some unexpected welcome company around partying. Some key house band personalities were missing but the few guys who showed up gamely made up for the slack providing the entertainment for the guests all night long.
The jam was still productive but relatively tame at the onset with barely enough participants on stage but eventually increased in manpower towards the end. As always resilient in resolve despite all odds, the live music was still persistent lasting way past 4am. Thanks to all the talented guys around who always makes it happen.
Among the regular musicians who joined me were Rick Trinidad, Vincent Garrucho, Ryan Nacino, Monchie Henares and Kiko Montecillo. Balik-musicroom personalities Toby Alberto and Steph Salazar were indeed a sight for sore eyes and was a welcome addition to the group, beefing up the vocal section even more. With the house speaker system upgraded and working way better than the old, audio quality had definitely improved. It is so much more enjoyable to vocalize with the microphone sounding great.
I would like to acknowledge the presence of Gab Villanueva, Manolo Valencia, Tecci Sevilla, Ging General and their friend Agnes, my sis-in-law Ana Mara, Bellete Hillarstam, Raul Julian, Randy Soliven, Cali Tiansay for their presence. And of course to my wife Vicky who had stayed briefly to join us. Thank you one and all.
Let me not forget to thank Tecci for quickly volunteering to assist me when I was repairing the music room door knob when it got stuck and to kumpadre Monchie for bringing the "kakanin". Much appreciated.
At closing time, some of the guys stayed much longer to chill and for a night cap at the smoking area before driving home. Everyone packed up just before sunrise at around 5:30am. Game over.
As I always say, all’s well that ends well. And as always, I praise and thank God for the opportunity.
See you all next week!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, August 10, 2019
AUG. 10, 2019 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Truly, the continuing saga of the Pete’s Place Music Room evolution lives on. Praise and thank God for all the friends and magnanimous donors who had strictly wanted to be anonymous. You know who you all are. May God bless you all in abundance.
It’s been a while since i took an unprecedented break from singing and just concentrated on playing instruments mainly due to the old speaker system which was inadequate to my standards. As a result, i completely lost the knack and mood to sing. The mic output lacked the punch and sensitivity i was looking for, turning me completely off from venturing. I am sure the other vocalist will agree with me on this matter. Thank God, this new speaker setup was the game changer. Time to brush up on my vocals.
With the improved sound ouput from the house, it was timely that a good number of talented musicians had made it over to test the waters. The jam turned out to be totally awesome courtesy of a handful of house band guys and music room regulars performing on stage.
Among the regulars who joined me were Tinnie Esguerra, Rick Trinidad, Joaco Marco, Vincent Garrucho, Kiko Montecillo, Xtine Mercado, Ryan Nacino, Pau Villanueva and her friend. Tinnie brought along a musician colleague by the name of Herbie Buted. A former band mate back in their post grad days, Quezon Province based Herbie was a pure and ultra talented keyboardist. He wowed everyone with his virtuosity and propensity in jazz music along with rest of us backing him up.
Everyone was in the groove all night long clearly enjoying the new revitalized overall sound coming from the brand new speakers. It was so much fun that we lost track of the time. By the time we were done, it was already past 5am. Even then, if not for necessity, the guys seemed to not want to stop. Great jam guys!
Special thanks also to my mom who always makes it a habit to keep me company at the start while waiting for the guests to arrive. To my daughter Nisee and her school mate Franz, to Gab Villanueva, Nikki Segundo and Ed Diano for their valuable presence. Always happy to see these guys around.
And so it is safe to say that last night was indeed a productive and successful night. With the improved sound, I can foresee the upcoming jams to be more exciting . Also, you guys might just see me holding the mic and doing vocals more often from now on…not if anyone cares at all. So please be warned!
See you all next week!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, August 3, 2019
AUG. 2, 2019 – MONCHIE HENARES’ BIRTHDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Come hell or high water, bad weather or not, the birthday boy’s well wishers won’t be denied of last night’s epic and fun celebration. Despite torrential rains and flooding at some areas around us, a horde of merrymakers braved the challenging conditions, all for their beloved Monchster, my dear friend and kumpadre.
Monchie’s Dela Salle Greenhills’ batchmates showed up strong plus a sizeable attendance from the Pete’s Place Music Room friends all to greet him on his special day. As Monch earlier predicted, the jam indeed turned out to be totally amazing persisting till past 4:30am and with top notch musicians on the roster to boot.
Among the musical personalities who joined us to jam were Tinnie Esguerra, Richard Parcia, Rick Trinidad, Joaco Marco, Vincent Garrucho, Erwin Dimaculangan, Xyrus Judan, Sheldon Abuton, Rj Pineda, Xtine Mercado, Mayette Clemente and music room newbie and ex-drummer of “The Jerks” Nowie Favila among others. Also, Vincent’s talented daughters Max and Izzy contributed each a song number too. Game representatives from the celebrant’s highschool batchmates and some in their group participated as well.
It was gratifying to see the party going very well as planned with an abundance of food and drinks available for the taking courtesy of generous loving friends. Our outmost gratitude to all the magnanimous donors. Everyone was having so much fun that the wine, liquor and beer and the whole spread of foodstuff on the buffet table were all totally devoured by the end the night. That was definitely a good indication of victory. As always, we thank God for the blessings.
The live music was breathtaking all throughout, with everyone on stage giving their all. It was great to see Richard Parcia back on stage performing again and doing what he does best. With most of Richard’s band mates around, he was finally able to confidently sing a set of his favorite tunes to the delight of the celebrant and the audience around. Excellent job Richard! You never lost your touch.
I must say that you can actually tell that House Band honcho Tinnie Esguerra was having a time of his life, as well, when you see him multi-tasking, lording the guitar including the bass while unhesitant and uncharacteristically playing the elusive tune “Buttercup” at the magic hour. I am actually lost for words. What can this man not do?
As always a trooper, music room favorite daughter, world class musician and vocalist Xtine Mercado, on the other hand, wowed the crowd with her usual brand of talent doing exceptional vocals while playing the guitar. Rj Pineda played the keyboards and guitar and was brilliant as expected. Great jam guys!
We were all safe and dry in the confines of the room but the rain was unrelenting all night outdoors causing floods everywhere. We hope and trust that everyone got home safe and sound.
In behalf of the birthday boy Monchie Henares, I would like to thank each and everyone who made sure to come over just to celebrate this special evening with him despite bad weather conditions. You are true friends indeed! God bless you all.
And so, another successful birthday celebration concluded and we are now eagerly looking forward to the next one on the list. Till then, we once again proceed to our regular Friday jam night. See you all then.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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