CEBU -17 YEARS AFTER

(A story by Stiff – Proprietor at Loudhouse Music Enterprise, lead vocalist of Rizal Underground and a musical voyager to some of the most beautiful destinations of the World)

This story begins after the long birthday celebration that supposedly concluded at CHARLIE’S STEAKHOUSE & DINER Grand Opening Party and right before the even bigger surprise that was Siargao Island. In between, I decided to spend the night in Cebu to catch up with my beautiful, long time friends ANN MARIE TAN & JULIENNE EVA GUANZON, whom I’ve not seen in 15 years or so. To add spice to the mix, I asked the only Cebuano friend I have, JERROS DOLINO for anyone who can show me the music scene in Cebu. 

Now a practicing lawyer based in Manila , Jerros introduced me to a couple of Cebu scenesters – GRAE ELMIDO & IAN ZAFRA of SHEILA & THE INSECTS who was unfortunately unavailable that evening. After having a lovely lechon dinner with ma beautiful friends, we were joined next door; literally, by Grae and the lovely JAQ SIWALA, who was conferring with Julienne about KICK FOR LIFE, a project to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the longest football match to raise awareness for congenital heart disease.

Over a few drinks we talk about life, football, legal matters and more importantly, music. The conversation moved to Handuraw Pizza Gorordo where I was asked, or did I impose to play a couple of songs on stage? It gets hazy after a few bevies you know. We then proceeded to a couple other venues like MANGGAHAN, KOA TREE HOUSE and the legendary OUTPOST. Groovy looking venues and one I dared myself to do a gig at. But as night turned into day, I bid adieu to my new found friends and headed out to the airport for another adventure that was Siargao Island.

One week after returning from Siargao, I received an invite from CHARLIE SOLER for another stint at CHARLIE’S STEAKHOUSE & DINER, this time for the reunion of his band, the ROC DOCS. slated for Octobe 1 & 2, weekdays, So I decided to revisit Cebu on a SABADO NIGHT in an attempt to do a gig there, anywhere would do. I asked Grae, and Ian – days and weeks of discussions and the guys came through with a spot at HANDURAW and I’ve not stopped smiling since.

After that successful two day stint in Boracay, I fly to Cebu with high expectations. The last time I gigged in Cebu was with the RIZAL UNDERGROUND for the LOKOMOTIBO ’97 Tour and 17 YEARS AFTER, I return and found a guitar partner to join me on stage care of the ATTY. JERROS DOLINO who introduced me to MAMAI CINCO, also a frequent visitor to Siargao I found out later, met up with for a short jam before the show and the coolness factor, was raised by 100%.

Prior to the show, I joined the SABADO NIGHTS FOODIES as a guest and was treated to an outrageously heavy dinner. By the time we got to HANDURAW, I was ready for a bottle of Jack Daniels to wash it down with the help of Grae, Mamai and his girlfriend BEATRICE SALA BOZA; we actively relieved ourselves of the weight as the vigorous performance of BLIND PUPPET filled the stage. After their set, we came up and started rockin’, much to my wishes – I felt very much at home with the friendly crowd that rocked along, especially with the Rizal Underground tunes - we were later joined by the BLIND PUPPET guitarist, JONG PEÑALOSA. Mamai - whose energetic licks surely infected my otherwise tired body and we were later joined by Grae onstage for a couple of numbers to cap off the set. .

It was a truly memorable gig and one that I’d be happy to do again and again and again. Special thanks to all ya gorgeous Cebu folks and friends. Keep on rockin!