More than 3 decades in existence, this institution is a weekly gathering of friends and music lovin

Saturday, August 12, 2017

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!

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