These buddies were once invited by our staff for a moment of photo shot and a couple of interview. Reckoning the series of pictorial sessions made with other artists, these ones made beauty with their diversity. Actually making the studio’s vicinity feels like an anachronism of the 60’s with Beatles and Beach Boys. Clad with their best bib and tucker dazzling in black, red and stripes alike, they seemed to emboss the gray-brushed canvass of the studio. As they were brought into focus by our adept photographers, every lucid flash of their lenses seems to reflect the vivid and intelligent aura of these musical gents. Orchestrating the pictorial session were the songs played and reverberated at the studio courtesy of their debut album, giving me a tough impression that these young bloods are the ‘phoenix’ of the ever phenomenal English rock band the Beatles. With suggestive outfits, hairs dangling mid-ear plus the retro-sounding musical arrangements, the Beatles, or say Beach Boys is almost done. The Bloomfields, as ornately as it sounds like a floral garden, blooms with five intelligent individuals, respectively Jj Lozano (22) on the lead Rickenbacker (the guitar John Lennon used), Louie Poco (21) on the bass Rickenbacker (also a Mcartney Favorite), Pepe Lozano (24) on the electric guitar, Lakan Hila (24) on piano/organ/keyboards and Rocky Collado (21) on the drums.
After the pictorial was done, special pizza and cold cola commence a bountiful respite for minutes which paves the way to the grilling interviews. This momentum gave me a zest and goose bumps as I’m trying to brows each ones genius, also acknowledging their scholastic departure – the De La Salle University.
The group started out as “green archers” at the impeccable hallways of De La Salle University at Green Hills as high school chums. “We do not belong to the same batch actually, but we’ve been together just there,” says Jay, the group’s vibrant composer and vocal. Obviously, they’re like birds that flock for the same interest. The band took its musical insignia out of convened likes in music – such that of the sixties, and they’re doing it with real gusto. “We’re not too selective in music, only that this kind caught much of our interest, so we pursue it,” explains the ever eloquent Rocky. Their type of music tends to conflate perennial lacuna between the young and the old ones of our today generation. “The music itself re-intertwines breaches between generations,” Pepe butts in, “once mom or dad jingle songs (songs they’ve been acquainted from their era), kids think mom and dad’s getting cool.”
The Bloomfields shows and gigs cuddle families rather than just single boys and dolls on the floor. The fact stands that they’re band brings sixties to the bivouac of modern rock ‘n roll (which is dominantly peopled by young men) also tandems to the senses of those older individuals who went ahead of our time.
“…each member of the band has his type of personality; things we also learned from the sixties…”
The Bloomfields, with ordinate effort for glamorous musicality comes considerable salute from their fans. They’re now getting comely rapport with the listening populace – female audiences mostly took the bigger slice of the pie of the Bloomfields fanatics. Take this, a mob of teens or so came rushing-up for their attention all the way even to their dressing den. Luckily these hot girls relent to let them slip-on their last garb.
The name Bloomfields raptures our consciousness like a heavenly plain massed with flowery blossoms, but take it from Jayjay who pioneered the name, “I was taking my vacation in America, perhaps, during my second year when I happened to see the Bloomfield Avenue, which I quoted then and proposed it to the boys upon getting back home, which they all voted in.” Does the name suggests jolly or happy soul, exactly. Further, “besides, we are fond of happy music; happy stuffs so we carried it out as our band name.”
“When you love a band then you’ve got to love the whole band. So much so with the Bloomfields, we have diverse personalities just like the others.”
This group’s never done yet, they’re just starting to kindle the torch of their career. They’re honing for another album under the custody of EMI with totally the same musical identity. As Tricia, Ad Promo (Print) of EMI, puts it, “actually it’s not just a concept, its more on that…” So I say it’s a principle of action wherein their musical beat and idealism lies.
The group got this wishful premonition to reecho the legacy of the 60’s coast to coast all over the the Philippine archipelago. To influence Filipino auditory of the music sang and strummed ahead of our own time.
Just happened to ask them if while the band is on the run they experienced technicalities (some sort of sablay) which reminds them of their ‘mortality.’ The band chorused, “..yes a lot of it, it’s even impossible to shake it off…though we’re trying to be perfect.” Jayjay made it tough by sharing, “ako naman one time nadulas ako, nakakahiya, then everybody laughed.” (everybody giggled) I said further in consolation, “in imperfection, you see perfection itself.”
“Gusto ko lang maging humble, ayaw ko lang talagang maging mayabang exclaimed Jayjay when I posited things about fame. Rocky, the band’s spokesperson retorted, “in fame you have to expect everything as experienced by Philippine artists…it could be short but nice since andyan yong money, attention…we just have to be humble despite.”
How was the chemistry between them and the audiences made? Just “enjoy” was the typical catchphrase of the boys. “We have to enjoy, pero iba pa rin yong na-eenjoy mo rin yong ibang tao, we have to hit the balance, maganda nga para sa ‘yo how about the audiences. Ang art namin ngayon dito is to learn how to communicate with the audience.”
This rockin’ buddies have been into formal existence for 3 years now. When asked if they’ve been into the verge of disbanding one time, Lakan Hila countered with wrinkling face and strong conviction, “no, no, no, not yet.”
How does these guys react being compared to the Beatles, Beach Boys and other OPM bands. “We are really flattered and really honored being compared to the Beatles, Beach Boys and OPM bands since that means that we are worth being compared to,” answers Rocky. Well, that’s great, discrimination has little or no significance at all to guys whose point is to present an art independent of comparison.
Departed being a band, what would these boys be like. Jayjay posited to stay in school. Lakan will be a banker then, as obviously, a banking course graduate and once worked in a bank. Rocky opted to be in school too. Luie would rather be into the realm of design. Pepe would be into restaurant business, perhaps something to do with culinary art.
Finally, at their end the Bloomfields would like to unveil their identity as potpourri of personalities all brought together into one musical blend – The Bloomfields. Pepe asserts, “each member of the band has his type of personality; things we also learned from the sixties, for example the Beatles, their’s a shy type, jolly and entertaining, serious and so on. When you love a band then you’ve got to love the whole band. So much so with the Bloomfields, we have diverse personalities just like the others.” You’re right man, cause if it’s not for a member then their would be no band, obviously…no Bloomfields.
Another assuring musical hunk just got the gut and the glorious artistry to make it to the promising musical heyday. Miguel Escueta is the name queuing and hunkering along the line of young Filipino renowned artists. The uncompromisable aesthetic persuasion of his voice extends to the faculty of his physical picture, considerably taking the big pie of the entertainment platform. What more? With Miguel’s debut album packaging mostly of his chart-topping all-original compositions, containing his reminiscence and introspection of personal and inter-personal experiences, we can say this young blood has something to prove. 
Yeng’s stardom doesn’t come so easy like eating an apple pie. Fondly called by many as “Yeng”, this 19-year-old gal, started dreaming, wished upon a star and started reaching for it stepping his best foot forward on a tumultuous stairway to it.
more subjective telling us what good music is, “depende ‘yan sa tainga ng tao. As long as mahal mo yung music mo, yun iyong pinakaimportante. ‘Di ko masabi na good music ang classical, at di ko rin masabi na bad music yun, pero para sa akin kahit anong klaseng music pa man yan, basta ikaw as individual kung ano yung gusto mong music, at yun ang maganda sa ‘yo, yun yung maganda para sa ‘yo,” she told us.
“Sa Indonesia before I had a band and I also did some acting for some soups and telenovelas. Tapos, I made a video clip, then my manager saw the video clip so he invited me here; introduced me to Warner. The following year bumalik ako rito, and I made an album,” was Lala’s commencement to herself as we grilled her for an hour or two of interview. Lala is a fair equation of a Filipino and Indonesian bloodline. She tries to confirm, “half Filipino, half Indonesian. My mother is Filipina, my father is Indonesian. I was born and I grew up in Indonesia.” Though Tagalog seems yet to pull her tongue up-side-down, she can, satisfactorily speak and assimilate few with frank accentuation. Nevertheless, Lala is another up and coming sexy figure in the music industry, if you won’t mind, as long as vital statistics is concerned.
of how does she coming up her mind with her consecutive album, she told us expectantly “of course for the second album, I dream big. Hopefully my music get to be accepted not only here in the Philippines but also outside Philippines, like Asia and even the world (and a big round smile).”
Ten years or fourteen years to be exact is overwhelming for a band that still moving fast and steady along musical highways with uncompromisable performances upstage. How far did they go is evident upon multifarious awards they’ve cached in. All was kindled by a once in a big blue moon opportunity. “Nong tumugtog kami for Eraserheads, i-ninvite kami ng (school) na maging front act. Tapos nakita kami ng may-ari ng Club Dredd and ginawa kaming regular sa Club Dredd. Kaya yun talaga yong naging major break namin,” explains Chito.
A recording contract commence their entrance to the formal flow of the music industry. The late Bella Tan, managing director of Universal Records, was instrumental in putting them on major recording levels. Up even to the extent of winning the band’s loyalty. How was she for them? Chito with a sense of gratitude, answered, “Siya yung nagtiwala na mag-invest sa amin for the first album. Kaya hangang ngayon, after (ten albums) doon parin kami kasi kahit wala na si mam Bella, our loyalty stands with her.”
Hearing of “Pambansang Banda Ng Pilipinas” directly connotes “Pambansang Kamao Ng Pilipinas” which comes with the same token but in slightly different means. Manny Pacquiao may punch-out with him Filipino’s pride and idealism to a win. Parokya Ni Edgar strums and sings with the lay people’s down to earth experiences.
showcases satirical songs and covers of famous songs. It keeps us dangling on the mid-air guessing for what do they mean for their album labels Khangkhungkherenitz, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy or who’s that hired superhero in the song Mang Jose. And we took the pleasure to be clarified a bit. Holding firm the Recorder, I posited from them the ever exotic debut album label Khangkhungkherenitz. Chito clarifies, “it’s a Korean Chocolate!” How about this, Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, he once again clarified, “isang lang syang club sa Iloilo.” Well, I guess that’s clear-cut!
Sugarfree never tasted this sweet. For the Sugarfree fanatics, supporters, advocate and whatsoever, this must have been the sweetest evening they’ve ever tasted. Like a sugary sweet stuff, the cool venue, in a one phenomenal night of September 29, was swarmed by music hungry earthlings. And these threesome musical hot guys justly gave justice to the masses tickets’ worth.
It’s a potpourri of a searing hot and cold, cold and hot evening from inside out of the concert’s venue, no other than the famed Music Museum strategically nestled at Greenhills Shopping Central, San Juan Metro Manila. The weather from the outside was gloomy and stormily foreboding, nonetheless it’s not tough enough to arrest the evening’s event. From the inside, tickets are sold out. Hungry souls are still on the queue for sits, with few more, an SRO (Standing Room Only) audience is almost done.
The event was commenced respectively by the Philippine National Anthem, as spearheaded by Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Chino David (also a violinist of the band Silent Sanctuary). Without much ado, the big night for Sugarfree starts rolling, with audio-video presentation, televised and well documented. A generous applause roared and reverberated the peopled venue as the threesome presence of the band members individually sprouted from somewhere else. Ebe Dancel (the group’s lead vocal) pulled the first string together with his appealing presence, which keeps the 
“Burnout,” “Hari Ng Sablay,” “Kwarto,” “Telepono,” “Tulog Na” and a lot more. The audience cannot help but want more. The band relented to the sweet appeal, feeding them a revisit to their songs “Makita Kang Muli” (a TV series soundtrack for Panday), “Batang-Bata Ka Pa” ( a revival from the APO original from the album Kami nAPO Muna), “Dear Kuya” and others. All songs rendered were chunks from their three albums “Sa Wakas,” “Dramachine” and “Tala-Arawan,” which really rocks the big hall for an hour or two.
Feeling lucky and privileged participating this “sugary” musical event, we all drained the concert hall feeling stuck on our feet in a sort of a sweet-sticky awe after an explosive finale with Ebe ’s hands bouncing the mid-air chanting in gratitude, “Thank you!” “Thank you!” And there goes the Sugarfree in their one big dream leaving the big hall in one sweet good night.
Time’s still young for the sunset to eclipse Sponge Cola who’s getting better than ever. Awards and recognitions that went after and even before their musical inventiveness teases them to a level-up. Their objective performances are assertive enough that these warm-blooded rock act has something more to prove. This bold thought was just redeemed by the recently concluded Music Video Premiere of their single “Movie.” A music video done with practical and intuitive vision to further spice up the group’s searing musical career, with ordinate intent for self-expression and maturation through music. Common artists’ sentiments tell us that doing music video is not as easy we think, rather, each scene is worth forty-winks with shared indulgence of time, money, energy and supportive staff.
their second album “Transit.” The album was released on September with a launch party in Metrowalk, Ortigas, under Universal Records. “The material was written naman at the time na parang ang song is written for the album hindi parang a collaboration or compilation of songs. Parang mayroon syang awareness sa amin as writers and as musicians. Meron kaming awareness na it’s part of an album. Hindi s’ya mere compilation because compilation is just stringing together songs and putting them on one album. And all songs in transit are all-original songs,” Yael elaborated. The album was spearheaded by the single Bitiw, which enjoyed a massive airplay and a bonus package when it became a theme song of the ABS-CBN’s weekly movie series Pedro Penduko. While the album itself is being figured-out by its containing tracks, revival or original, just happened to ask them if there is any song in the album which became a hit, unexpectedly by them. Yael with reassuring thought elucidated, “we can’t really tell sa totoo lang. We just play them. People will just listen, sometimes they don’t. Kaya you can’t really tell. Saka minsan parang tsambahan s’ya. Parang kung mabait ka, hindi mo naman masasabing mabait ka eh. Ang nakakasabi lang nyan ay yung mga taong nakakasama nyo. Para kasing mayabang ka na pag kusa mong sinabing mabait ka na, parang ganon. So we can’t really tell. To our standpoint we are biased if we say we made it.”
Chris Cayzer, ninety-nine percent passion and fervor and a percent of pretty face and crystalline voice equals a performer par excellence. This might best describe this ‘new kid on the block’ making old things new via glamorous figure and lucid voice. A bright guy born of Filipino parents seems to exude a foreign becoming. Nevertheless, Chris grew and foretasted a foreign rearing. He grew up in a fertile plains of Brisbane, Australia. Having a share of Aussie character, lifestyle, social and lingual breeding, I almost ran out of vocabulary then. 
As gracious as the soothing sound of Bossa Nova, it is well again an unparalleled opportunity to meet and converse with an apt and coming artist, no other than the ‘fresh voice’ and comely face of Bossa Nova, Sofia. 
Another league of musically hot gentlemen are triumphantly marching along the OPM highways carrying their musical sheaves. A synergy of six musically tamed individuals standing tall and vibrant amidst revolutions of concurrent rock groups. The what they call, ‘good music’ serves as their torch of knowledge and charisma as they rock the platform giving their fans a foretaste of a no casual musical blow of a Sixcyclemind thing at the hight of their senses. Not much, their audibility extends further to the realm of commercialism. Thus, a bulky package of music and commercial success gave these young bloods healthy definition of their contemporary career success story.
