Saturday, April 14, 2018
APRIL 13, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
Through all the years, more than 3 decades to be exact, it is clear and quite established that our Friday jam nights constantly changes in character and go through different phases in time. There will be seasons when the room will be packed with merrymakers each and every gathering and months when there will just be a few of us. Even the regular characters and musicians who habitually comes fades and in the process will just be part of a delightful and fond memory. Whatever happens, providence always finds a way to compensate to a favorable outcome equally gratifying, giving us wholesome contentment time and again. Such is the nature of Pete’s Place Music room.
Lately, the house band members had lost its grip on keeping the roster intact with the attendance garnering at its lowest. Gradually dwindling in numbers, for some reason or another, we consistently end up falling short of completing a proper ensemble to perform. It was already months since the house band was last respectably intact. Even if on some sparse weekends there will be a house band to speak of, the next time would be unpredictable.
These past months, assembling, at the least, a required house band team on board was indeed difficult and hard to come by, but such is life in the music room. There will always be a saving force. God is watching. Something always makes up for it. The show must go on.
Last night, the room was packed to the rafters with guests and friends with mostly the young and the restless taking over the stage. The much improved and maturing Monotones band comprising of Ryan Nacino, Ryan Pineda, Rj Palma and the youthful talented female guitarist/vocalist/composer Pau Villanueva, took the limelight and commenced the evenings live entertainment. Pau invited along a band of young, dynamic and aspiring rock musicians who performed as well.
Comprising of band members mostly in their teens (except for their drummer who was twenty one years of age), “Diesel”, as they call themselves, was a total experience. While waiting for their turn to play, these seemingly demure and courteous group of kids transformed into wild beasts as soon as they started to perform. I was mesmerized and likewise totally surprised the crowd with their head banging, ear popping performance of original songs they had arranged since in high school. They will definitely be a favorite for hard rock aficionados. More power (but less volume on the guitars..please) to these guys!
Pau and the Monotones collaborated and jammed another set along with the guest musicians when Diesel’s set was over. At past 2am, Kiko Montecillo finally shows up, took his position and changed the mood a bit. Drummer Bubui Colico was in the house as well, along with Richard Parcia, Vincent Garrucho, Reynald Perez and Aiko Oropesa who did vocals while I, on the other hand, played the bass. Tisoy Henares’ son, Iñigo, played 2nd percussion and drums too. We had so much fun jamming that we persisted on playing till past 5am. All’s well that ends well. Mission accomplished!
My thanks to Loren Orendain, Bobby Alvarez, Jojo Armas for the short but fun jam and to Nikki Segundo, Marc de Asis, Tisoy Henares and his uncle Epifanio Torre and his guests for their presence.
As always, I thank and praise God for the blessing and the opportunity. Till the next time, folks! See you then.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, April 7, 2018
APRIL 6, 2018 - FRIDAY JAM UPDATE & PHOTOS
God truly works in mysterious ways. It never ceases to amaze me how truly blessed we all are, and how things fall right into place despite all odds. There are times when circumstances unintentionally mend itself and find its way to our favor even without us lifting a finger. We just have to have faith and trust in Him. Last night was one of those noteworthy and special moments.
If not for the spontaneous and unpremeditated appearance of unexpected musicians conveniently around with hardly anyone from the regular house band showing up, it would’ve turned out to be another quiet and uneventful evening. Well, clearly God had other plans.
Thanks to the timely presence of the exciting Flightskool band spearheaded by flyboys Loren Orendain and Winford Martillana along with Southern Musician founder and exceptional drummer Roy Secillano, ultra talented bass man Empi Martinez and guitarist Larry Velazquez, and to Pau Villanueva of Athalie and Carousel Casualties along with the much improved Monotones band comprising of Ryan Nacino, Ryan Pineda and Rj Palma plus their guests playing second fiddle, everything turned out perfectly.
Flightskool was a thrill and a total delight playing two awesome sets with Winford at the forefront doing exceptional vocals and guitar to everyone’s approval and delight. The band even made a couple of encores towards the end after Winford was done and stepped off the stage. Pau and the Monotones, on the other hand, took turns with the masters and did alternating sets and even closing up the night’s live entertainment concluding at around 4am. House band Dennis Espiritu and his former high school Industrial Drafting instructor companion Joe Miranda, “Sir Joe” as he is fondly called, briefly got their grips to jam on stage with myself ending up doing the drumming chores before turning it over to the kids to finally wrap things up. My congratulations to all the musicians who performed for a great job.
Special mention to music room family and friends Cali Tiansay, Luisa Distor, sis-in-law Tin Mara Reed, Allan Rufino, Raul Julian, balik-music room and Bacolod based Tisoy Henares and son Iñigo, to siblings Mayette Clemente and Nando Alberto, Henry Abesamis and his group, Air Force brats Rico Tayko, Red Aquino and daughter Nicka, and of course to the charming couple Michael and Amar Puyat for their welcome and valuable presence. Always grateful to see these guys around. God bless them all.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Thursday, March 29, 2018
MARCH 28, 2018 - SURPRISE BIRTHDAY SALUBONG JAM & PHOTOS
A successful surprise salubong birthday hoopla for our dear house band bassist Rick Trinidad happened last night with hordes of friends and family in attendance to celebrate his 46th year in earthly existence. His ever-loving wife May had scrupulously planned a surprise party while collaborating with me just a few days prior to the date and was able to put things together well in time for the event.
Even on a solemn Holy Wednesday, a sizeable crowd from his family and friend’s side as well as his music room buddies flocked the place much earlier to converge and to surprise the celebrant who up to the very last minute still vehemently denies having been fooled of the surprise birthday bash set for him.
Undeniably looking thrilled and elated, nonetheless, upon entering the room, his wide grin and expression of bliss was unmistakably evident fooled or not. With close family and friends present and in unanimity welcoming and greeting you on your special day, who wouldn’t be?
Food and drinks were abundantly available for the taking, as well as the nonstop live entertainment. An awesome line-up of phenomenal talents performed on stage, in the likes of Xtine Mercado and Rj Pineda of Brat Pack and Kiko Montecillo of Mojofly just to name a few. It was a breathtaking all night musical extravaganza from 9pm lasting till past 3am, an absolute delight to everyone who were around to witness it.
Among the other exceptionally brilliant musicians who came over were Nitoy Adriano, Joko Reantaso, Bobby Alvarez, Tinnie Esguerra, Dolf Cruz, Pecky Casuela, Joaco Marco, Monchie Henares, Bubui Colico, Vincent Garrucho and Boots Bautista. Totally awesome line-up indeed.
In behalf of the birthday celebrant, we thank one and all for the outpouring of love and the sharing of precious time just to be around to celebrate. Our gratitude to each and every outstanding musician who performed on stage. Lastly, but definitely not the least, to Rick’s loving wife May, for unselfishly and painstakingly organizing this event not to mention the spread of delicious food and drinks she had prepared for everyone to enjoy. Surely, it was one successful birthday celebration.
And so, once again today, we greet Rick Trinidad a happy birthday and we wish him many more productive years ahead.
HAVE A BLESSED AND FRUITFUL HOLY WEEK TO EVERYONE! GOD BLESS US ALL!
Saturday, March 24, 2018
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