2014 – THE MUSIC GODS ARE WATCHING

(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)

Papadom's Birthday at the Wake

2014 will be posted mostly in bold letters and highlights but sadly, 2013 will always be marked by the passing of a comrade and music collaborator PAPADOM, whose departure seemed to provide a gateway to communicate with the music Gods for me, his wake served an inspiration to gain even just a fraction of the respect bestowed upon him.

As a form of relief, I venture to COCO AROMA in White Beach for a musical escapade before the dawn of 2014 with former TROPICAL DEPRESSION bassist PEXX HOLIGORES & the enigmatic RONNIE BADILLA. This is where I met fellow musician & Macau resident FABRIZIO CROCE, who eventually hosted my stay in Macau last March, more on that later. The photos at THE ROCKOUSTIC BLUES EXPERIMENT IN COCO AROMA

2014 kicked off last January 17 with a full moon gig - JUN LOPITO & THE RUNAWAY BOYS AT AMPHIGARDEN, Angeles City. It was quite an ambivalent occasion as we discovered our special guest, guitar icon JUN LOPITO’S health concerns. It was also then that I got my chance to jam with another icon, RESTY FABUNAN. It was a lovely venue, the stars were all shining and new bonds were formed. 

7107 IMF Main Stage

Spring rolled in and a flurry of International music acts flocked to the region, with 7107 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL happening first, headlined by the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, RED JUMPSUIT APPARATUS and several others. Thanks to the access snared by ANNAISE FRAGANTE, we were able to catch the second day of festivities that featured my current favorite local band, RADIOACTIVE SAGO PROJECT, who totally smoked their set. We then moved on to the main stage to see the gigantic wardrobes and heavy makeup of EMPIRE OF THE SUN and then proceeded to the front of the stage for the PEPPERS, whose performance was, RED HOT!

The week later, came the fourth edition of the MALASIMBO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL staged in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental. I’ve been to all except the first but this one; we were treated to a “locals” night, featuring Puerto Galera artists on the final night which gave access for a couple of songs on the big stage for me. See here at the 2014 MALASIMBO DAY 5. For this trip, we served up rock and roll with guitar icon, GARY PEREZ at COCO AROMA the entire weekend. Starting at sunset, the gig was quite exhilarating as festival-goers warmed up before heading up the mountain. Escaping to Malasimbo on Sunday, I chanced upon the performance of JOSE GONZALEZ followed by the skanking beats of KOOII. As usual, this gorgeous venue never fails to amaze me and all those in attendance, including the artists. The photos here - 2014 MALASIMBO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL DAY 4

Another week passed and on to Macau we fly, for perhaps the most important rock and roll act of the century, the ROLLING STONES, who continue to put on a spectacular show and wow the audience. The trip was very special thanks in part to the Stones and the fabulous hosting job of FABRIZIO, remember him - Coco Aroma?

Karl Roy Birthday, Big Sky Mind

2014 also provided a first. After years of providing sound equipment to BIG SKY MIND, I finally had a chance to jump on stage for the first time, to jam a few songs with the friends of KARL ROY on the occasion of his birthday.As summer was coming to a close the travel bug bit and the musical journeys begin that gave birth to the LOUDHOUSE MUSIC CHRONICLES, this blog, to document these voyages. 

KiKan Restobar, Baguio City

Upon the insistence of my kids to visit Baguio City, I took the chance to count on the good graces of Mountain resident RAMON ZIALCITA to book a gig during this visit. He set me up at KIKAN RESTOBAR, formerly AYUYANG, paired with coolness of CESAR SALCEDO and I thought we really rocked that place. Last time I played Baguio was with , RIZAL UNDERGROUND, at least 17 years ago. And as a result, was invited by THE DOCTOR to join the ranks of the RENEGADES OF ROCK Tour.

Renegades of Rock, Alphonse Bistro

In July, an exhausting month of the FIFA World Cup came upon us, I chanced upon meeting my 90’s idol and original AZKAL, ELMER LACKNET BEDIA, together with another original Azkal, LOLOY FUENTEBELLA, we caught the opening match. Soon after  I revisit Boracay and had several more chance encounters, most special of all was with the CHARLIE’S STEAKHOUSE & DINER gang that paved the way for successive journeys for the second half of the year. Including their grand opening party that featured 90’s mates TRUE FAITH & GARY IGNACIO, a smashing opening party coinciding with the celebration of my birth; and served as gateway to two more openers. Photos of the Grand Opening Party. The succeeding journeys are documented in better detail in my entries here - SIARGAO ROCKS the story of my first surfing expedition to Cloud 9 with travel buddy TRUDY ALLEN, highlighted by some rockin' performances with the locals Photos here. And the return gig to the Queen City of the South after 17 years after my last. CEBU- 17 YEARS AFTER through the kindness of friends IAN ZAFRA, JAQ SIWALA, GRAE ELMIDO & JERROS DOLINO.

Right before FALL we celebrated the return to stage by the recovered JUN LOPITO; the story here. WHEN GUITARS RISE. (Photos). As the autumn winds arrived, I journey back to Boracay for Halloween. That story can be found here. HALLOWEEN REVELRY – BORACAY STYLEE; highlighted by another stint at Charlie’s Steakhouse & Diner and the party that came after. (Photos).

Bluesviminda, Casa Joey

Then November came and whatta you know, another blast from the past. RUNAWAY BOYS founding member EDDIE SIOJO returns to the Philippines and yet another comeback gig for the boys. We were lucky to have been given a break to perform at the SAGUIJO 10^TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY. Before the month passed, CHICKOY PURA & THE JERKS travel to Boracay that afforeded me one last trip to the island before the year ended. Maybe the best gig of my 2014, with all the fanfare and of course playing with my idols. THE JERKS AT CHARLIE'S STEAKHOUSE. Did I forget to mention chancing upon the BLUESVIMINDA feat. COOKY CHUA, BUTCH SAULOG & the twins, MIKE & ANGELO VILLEGAS for an impromptu jam at CASA JOEY. And one last concert featuring the unpredictable but spectacular EVAN DANDO & THE LEMONHEADS Live In Manila.

And then December came and another chance to revisit Olongapo City, again with GARY PEREZ plus THE YOUTH, together we brought our music to a street party and celebrated Gary’s return to his musical roots seen here KALYE KASIYAHAN - OLONGAPO STREET PARTY,  And as 2015 approaches, I’m given a chance to pay tribute to PAPADOM, marking one year since his departure and where this story comes full circle. It was really special to play in a meaningful occasion and be surrounded by old and new friends alike.

All told, I think 2014 is my best year ever but just as I started to believe that, I thought maybe the only thing missing was for someone to turn my world upside down, but I couldn’t have been farther from the truth perhaps because the MUSIC GODS ARE WATCHING.

You can click on the links above for the respective albums but you can find the photo compilation here - 2014 THE MUSIC GODS ARE WATCHING. Please don't hesitate to LIKE this page and my Facebook page LOUDHOUSE, in support of the arts and music. Thank you