The sheer unpredictability of each and every Friday night on how circumstances develop is truly amazing to me. Unique each time, one can’t really tell for sure what is in store until it actually happens. The possibilities are diverse and endless. It’s always a different fun story every week. Perhaps, the very reason why after 38 years and counting, i had never gotten and will ever get tired of it. I thank and praise God for that.
In contrast to the recent past, last night’s festivity started quite late. It was almost 11pm when the action began. Having no clue, whatsoever, who would eventually come and how things would be, I was surprised to see Gab Villanueva and his son Christian showing up first . Incidentally, Roger Salazar had communicated much earlier informing me that he had intentions of coming and did so later on. House band drummer Bubui Colico , as he had promised he would, showed up as well. Tired from a long day at work, he did jam a bit but did not stay around too late. As kind hearted as he is, Bubui even ordered pizzas for us right before he left the music room to go home. God bless his generous soul. My hats off to this guy.
Accepting the fact that it will just be a handful of us around to hang out for the evening, the tide suddenly changed and shifted to high gear. My wife Vicky and a horde of her good friends, coming straight from another gathering, suddenly arrived unannounced to party. The room was suddenly packed with merrymakers. As always an animated and a fun group to be around, the mood went from sober to totally festive.
Soon more regular guests and jammers from the youngsters/Monotones group arrived to join in. Vicky’s gang took center stage (featuring my sis-in-laws Tin Mara Reed and Ana Mara) taking the lead, singing some minus-one songs after noticing that it was their chance to do so, as there was still no musicians jamming on stage. After the ladies had their fill and having already warmed up the stage, the youngsters comprising of Monotones' honchos Ryan Nacino and Rj Palma along with their friends Josh Panuncialman and Virgil Sagana finally had their chance and grit to play, officially starting the jam. House band percussionist Vincent Garrucho, who was already around, joined in as well. Keyboard lord Catman Kiko Montecillo, who was stuck in traffic on the way over, made it to the jam too. Not to be denied, I also had my chance playing the drums and bass, as well. We were in business.
Right before closing time, it was just Kiko, Ryan, Vincent and myself on stage. We finally were done playing at about 3am. After the jam, a few others stayed around a bit to chill and to finish up their beers. By 3:35am it was time to close up. Mission accomplished. As I always say, all’s well that ends well. Praise be to God.
Many thanks to Johnny Wassmer, Bambi Rubio, Raul Julian, Myron Reyes, my niece Tina Mara and to everyone who showed up last night. And, of course, to Bubui for the boxes of sumptuous pizzas he left behind for all of us to devour. Muchos gracias amigos y amigas.
And so…till the next week.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
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