For two consecutive weekends, our Friday gathering resulted in a similar arrangement with the guests split up into two venues. Just like the last time, my wife Vicky and her group gathered at the Lanai area while the rest of the regulars converged at the music room. Personally, i find the recent option convenient for Vicky and friends as they need not have to congregate elsewhere far to party. Not really the live music kind of crowd, their group prefers to spend their bonding time with some friendly chit chat, food and drinks at someplace else before they can even join us in the room, if at all. At least with this new setup option, we are all closer together and just under one roof.
Incidentally, both parties garnered much lesser attendees compared to the past week. Perhaps with Christmas functions happening left and right, bad traffic and what not, this occurrence should not be surprising at all. Nevertheless, despite the minor setback we still won’t be deprived of our regular Friday night fix.
At the music room, high school batch mate Allan Flores’ surprise presence was totally a welcome development. After a long time in absentia, it was great to see him back. Based in Bataan, we really don’t see him very often. Commuting all the way to the music room and then travel back to the province right after just to be able to visit and jam, is quite a remarkable feat. Our hats off to our dear Rockerboy brader Allan Flores.
Vocalist Monchie Henares, Arabelle Jimenez, percussionist Vincent Garrucho along with his talented daughter Maxine, vocalist Tony Tirol, Marc de Asis & his staff, Nikki Segundo (his birthday is actually today Dec. 9), Tecci Sevilla who joined us briefly before going up to the Lanai and young couple Christian Villanueva and his partner Abigail Cruz, were the only guys who showed up.
Looking at the list of musicians who made it, there was clearly no proper house band roster to speak of.
Looking at the list of musicians who made it, there was clearly no proper house band roster to speak of.
Determined as we always are, mustering up with just vocalists, a percussionist and myself to perform, is no excuse to sulk. We won’t be denied of stage time on our much anticipated Friday Jam Night. Allan’s gallant effort to travel far just to be with us will definitely not be for naught.
Soon the jam commences with Allan and Vincent alternating on guitar while I played bass. Monchie and Tony on vocal chores most of the evening. Occasionally, Monchie played the drums while Allan tinkered with the keyboards. Vincent played percussions and 2nd vocals.
The unique sound that we eventually produced was bordering on satisfactory to tolerable to totally hilarious. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable and satisfying to say the least. We did accomplish completing some songs eventually. However, there were also times that i was almost in tears for laughing so hard while we were struggling, trying to complete a tune. Well, nothing like variety to make life more interesting.
The gathering concluded early, duplicating last week’s finish. With everyone needing an early respite for some early commitments they have the next day, everyone decided to pack up and call it a night at exactly 4am. On his way out, batch mate Allan ended up hitching a ride with Vincent & Maxine to the terminal in Pasay to catch his bus ride back to Bataan. What a trooper, Allan is.
Special thanks to post birthday celebrant Arabelle and birthday boy Nikki Segundo for the sumptuous pancit palabok, wine and chips they shared with everyone. God bless both their kind souls. Wishing them all the best in all of their future endeavors.
And so another successful Friday Jam Night in the books. Already looking forward to next week. As always, I thank and praise God for the opportunity.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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