90s OVERLOAD

Story by Stiff Lu – Travelling musician, gatekeeper of The Rizal Underground  proprietor at Loudhouse Music Enterprise, lead vocalist of the Rockoustic Blues Experiment and a musical voyager to some of the most beautiful destinations of the World)

Last November 17, 2018, WENCY CORNEJO (AFTER IMAGE) & company put together 90's OVERLOAD, an encore presentation to 2017’s ultra successful concert featuring the movers of the resurgent 90's OPM/Rock scene. Similarly, this one is staged at this majestic venue THE THEATER AT SOLAIRE at the Entertainment City Manila. As a spectator at last year’s concert, I was so happy to see so much talent in one room from my generation. Pana-panahon lang pala talaga!

I was very lucky to get a call to join this year’s party and am truly grateful for the opportunity. Wasn’t sure what to expect as this mixed bunch, featuring the beauties COOKY CHUA (Color It Red), LEI BAUTISTA (PrettierThan Pink), SKARLET BROWN (Put3ska) joined by DODONG CRUZ (The Youth), PACO ARESPACOCHAGA (Introvoys), PERF DE CASTRO (River Maya), NALDY PADILLA (Orient Pearl), JEK MANUEL (Iaxe), NOEL PALOMO (Siakol), GLENN JACINTO (The Teeth), WENCY CORNEJO (After Image) were not exactly my drinking buddies back in the day. We would have different encounters, be it at airports, concerts, TV studios, recording studios or club gigs in Manila or elsewhere, but never really in the same room.

Then 25 years on, we share the same stage, a very nice one at that. Some I’ve not seen in 20 years, others living abroad, some in hiding & like me, some are making a comeback. It didn’t really sink in until I saw the poster and the story developed thereafter. The festivities kicked it off with buffet lunch treat before a press conference at SOLAIRE RESORT while PERF and PACO were LIVE online. A few days later I joined LEI & JEK at the WISH bus for an interview and live performance. That weekend, LEI, WENCY & COOKY appeared on ASAP Live and before you know it was time for rehearsals.

It was so much fun doing the rounds of promotions and chatter for the show was getting louder online, with friends, relatives and strangers inquiring about tickets. The producers, staff & crew were all pumped up and before you know it, it was time to sound check for the show. The time we were all together was so short, but we had so much fun we had even during the rehearsals that spilled over to the pre production meet to dinner.

And as we all got ready for the show, the adrenalin shoots up the veins; the lights went out and the video introduction went on cue, it was magnificent. One by one, all these OPM stars of the 90’s took to the stage with a command performance. Each one, showcasing their wares, singing their respective hits and with the superb lighting & awesome sonic quality, the crowd was simply blown away.

As each segment passed, so was this magic carpet ride back in time and before you know it, it was time to do a group rendition of the DAWN’S hit single “SALAMAT”, a fitting tribute and finale to such a momentous occasion. After this event, a few more 90’s events in Dubai and Cebu sprouted, and perhaps a few more to come.

At press time, several of my contemporaries have announced more shows in 2019, and after a successful US Tour last June, I will be taking another adventure to unfamiliar places, to Europe and beyond come May, 2019. I hope to see ya’ll so please follow me on my Facebook page STIFF LU, for more information about this upcoming journey. 

Special thanks to the PHILIPPINE STAR, who took photos and wrote about it in THIS ARTICLE, SUMMER IS LIVE & DANIELE BELLINI for the photos. Here's an ALBUM OF PHOTOS from that evening, borrowed from everybody. Thank you, see you soon!