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| Helmet + Bike by Loose Keys |
(A story by Stiff – Solo Artist, proprietor at Loudhouse
Music Enterprise, lead vocalist of the Rockoustic Blues Experiment, gatekeeper
of The Rizal Underground, musical voyager to some of the most beautiful destinations
of the World)
As my upcoming 10 show #sabadonightseuropetour approaches, I
embark on another tune up series just as I did last year in preparation for the
2018 US Tour.
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| Cebu's best. PANDORA |
This time, I chose to do more shows but racking up just as many
miles; kicking off as usual
at
MAC ROCK N ROLL & BLUES RESTOBAR in Cebu, with the
PANDORA, the rockinest cats of Cebu, who have mastered
my repertoire, including music of
THE RIZAL UNDERGROUND &
ROCKOUSTIC BLUES EXPERIMENT. These guys have showed tremendous support over the years and I am
truly indebted. Glad to also see Cebu friends who likewise joined us for a few
drinks and a quick jam.
After a night's rest I fly back to this wonderful SIARGAO Island, who has not ceased to amaze me since the first time I laid my eyes on
her. I’ve made many friends over the years, meeting the local legends and new
friends who've taken the leap to move here. I love the culture and vibe this small island offers, plus the number of venues
that welcomed me here for gigs.
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| Kirby & Peach of VIVO Siargao |
Let’s start with a heartwarming welcome given by
VIVO INN BISTRO SIARGAO hosts
KIRBY LUCERO &
PEACH, also by the
owners, Mr. & Mrs. Calvo and the rockin’ tandem of
KAI &
DON. I
certainly did not know what to expect on a Friday night but the Bistro, dishing out the best in Filipino and fusion cuisine served good music and didn’t really scrimp on the equipment that led to so much fun; we were
joined by KIRBY on drums,
PAO on percs & a foreign guest on trumpet.
Without much rehearsal we carried on with the support of KAI on his guitar and
songs plus DON on the saxophone. A great way to start this series for sure.
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| Harana Surf |
The following night was just as epic as I stepped into the
HARANA SURF RESORT stage, which basically owns the Sabado Night scene on the
island. This time I’m supported by the old guards,
MARLO GALLARDO &
GAPS SABUERO on bass, with KIRBY,
KAI & DON also in support and then later joined by Siargao legend
WILMAR, everybody loves him.. The crowd went berserk as we
were finishing the more than an hour long set until the DJ started pumping his tunes
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| Kitya's House |
Next was
KITYA’S PLACE, the crowd favorite for Sunday nights
and the only place that serves ramen on the island. My lovely host
KITYA FERRER
treated us to hot bowl of ramen before heading out to the venue. But as the
night progressed, an unscheduled brown-out cut our performance
short. KAI, DON & were were able to recover fast though as the crowd grew during
the moments of silence. Pretty soon it was again time for another DJ to add a huge
spark to an already late evening.
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| Loose Talks |
After 4 gigs in 5 nights, including Cebu, Monday was planned to
be slow, capping it off by "LOOSE TALKS", a new talk show program hosted
by reknowned journalist
CAMILLE BANZON for
LOOSE KEYS MOTO CULTURE, a relatively new place that serves rock and roll
combined with good food. Not bad for a Monday night, my hosts, headed by
VITECHA KOCHAON or V for short were really very caring, lent me a motorbike and
provided accommodations in the first part of my stay in Siargao. These guys are
working overtime to showcase music and culture to the island and I am just so happy
to be a part of that. See the "Loose Talks"
VIDEO HERE
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| Loose Keys |
The following night I head back to LOOSE KEYS MOTO CULTURE
for the proper performance again with MARLO & GAPS. This gathering of a great
crowd and the music, combined with the heat generated by the gyrations really
pushed the boundaries of rock and roll. After the first 75 minutes I had to beg
off but the crowd and the band went on for 3 hours non-stop with some in the
audience joining the crew for a jam.
And then finally it was Wednesday and the next gig was
slated for Manila that Saturday. Such a grueling but superbly enjoyable schedule
is now rewarded with an island hopping trip to CORREGIDOR ISLAND, such a
beautiful place and I thank my dear KITYA for such a treat. The food, company
and scenery was unbelievable. Gotta take my kids there soon.
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| Day Off |
My last full day on the island was spent on a motorbike mostly, exploring the rest of Siargao was simply spectacular. I
will not forgive myself If I hadn’t done that on my third trip here. After a
long day on the road I catch up with my two favorite Boracay buddies
GENE DELA CRUZ &
ANDREW MALARKY
for a night cap that ended up in
BAILE RESTOBAR, another crowd favorite on Thursday
nights. By now, I’ve not stopped drinking for 9 days and so I needed some rest
before I culminate this tune up series in
ALCHEMY BISTRO BAR. Luckily, nothing
scheduled on a Friday except for the flight back to Manila. Ahhh Siargao, I’m so in love with you.
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| Alchemy with the Boys |
But nonetheless, I was very happy to fly back to Manila to
perform with a supergroup one last time before I leave for Europe. Joining me
for that #sabadonights was
BONGLENNON,
BRUTUS,
PEX & Pinoy rock guitar
icon,
JUN LOPITO. That must’ve been the most fulfilling gig this 2019 because
of the love and support of friends who came to wish me luck for the upcoming
tour and to jam on stage. Thank you
GUS ALBOR,
CHARLIE YSMAEL & tour
partner
BUNNY LIWANAG!
This grueling Tune-up Series but was so much fun. I
cannot thank everyone enough for the love and support, to all me friends in Cebu,
Siargao and Manila, maraming, maraming salamat po. I will take that memory and
blast away in Europe!
I hope to see you again very soon and please follow me on my Facebook
page
STIFF LU, for more information about this upcoming journey.
Here are some
PHOTOS
grabbed from all over the place. Thank you to the photographers and more power
to you.
