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Monday, September 18, 2017

SEPT. 15, 2017 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE

The weekend payday “carmagedon” fiasco is not normally regarded as an issue to our Friday Jam nights having broken the pattern on a number of occasions in the past but seemingly the law of averages finally caught up on us last night. The usual early birds were no-shows and most of the musicians who had even planned to come will eventually not make it.
It was already a few minutes before 11pm that the first two guests finally arrives. Apparently, it took Jay Reantaso and his son Joko more than an hour and a half to get here from BF Homes, Sucat where they live. I heard that as early as late afternoon, it was practically gridlock everywhere. Thank God that it did not rain, otherwise it could’ve been total chaos.
Of course Joko brought along his guitar and gear but had to put it on hold temporarily as there was no band roster to speak of to even start a jam. It was already past midnight when house band bassist Rick Trinidad showed up. Only then did we have some semblance of order to start some noise on stage. With Joko on guitar, Rick on bass and myself on drums, we were finally good to give it a shot.
With Joko’s maiden record album already in the making with original instrumental compositions on its tracks and soon to be released, we tested on playing one of his work live for the first time. It will just have to be purely Rick and Joko in collaboration doing all the intricate instrumental details with myself just keeping time on the drum kit. Knowing my limitations on my meager musical skills to deliver, it was purely just for the fun of it for me. Please don’t shoot me. I'm just a trying hard wannabe.
At past 1am, house band vocalist Monchie Henares finally arrives after deciding on hanging out some place else on the way, while waiting for the traffic to subside. Luisa Distor who herself is a competent chanteuse, fortunately walks in the room, too, to add to the list.
When the Reantaso father and son tandem was about to leave as it was already past 3am, keyboard lord Kiko Montecillo timely shows up. Kiko usually comes late because of his Friday gig commitments. He will take over the keys with Monchie and Luisa on vocals and Vincent Garrucho (who also got in late coming from his gig as well) alternately on percussions, guitar and flute. Apart from singing, Monchie played the drums on some songs while I played bass the whole time. It was to be the Magic Hour for us playing a variety of songs and genres conceivable. As always a pleasurable experience.
We still played a good solid hour with Kiko till about 4:30am before we finally packed up. All’s well that ends well, as i always say. Thank and praise God!
And so, with practically just a handful of us in attendance for the night, it still was fun, fulfilling and all worthwhile, to say the least. That is indeed all that matters, is it not? C’est la vie.
Till the next time.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!

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