Buhay banda - Part 1 (Rondalla)

Our recent gig at the INC Anniversary Program had made me reminisce the old days. That great period in my life when I lived my life of rock and roll.

Inspired by my new-found love for band performances, and my loving wife's support for my hobbies, I would like to share with you the memories and fun I had, from the days of learning music to the concerts that I've been a part of. I hope you enjoy this multi-part series that i'll blog on these next few days.

And so it began... (blurring visuals and sounds of a harp on the background) tingili-ngili-ngiling...

You see I grew up with a very musically inclined family. Everyone love music. Most of my titos play the guitar and my titas were always in singing competitions. I would wake up with Freddy Mercury and Queen playing on Mamang's 5-layer Sony component system with giant speakers. Lazy weekend afternoons would never pass without Mama tuning in to Tom Jones and all the 70's/80's classics on the radio, and Papa building up his Betamax videoke collection.

But I didn't start to pick up an instrument until my 4th Grade in Elementary School. Our school started a Rondalla program (I think si Mama ang promotor) and my classmates and I joined in. I wanted to play the guitar, but the instructor thought I was better off learning the Octavina (a smallish 14-string guitar-shaped instrument).

Sis Jean was also there, playing Banduria. Bro Jeff was supposed to play Drums but he was already attending high school in Mapua back then, so he wasn't always available for practice.

It didn't take long for me to learn the instrument and very soon after, I was the featured soloist in the band (ahem!). I was the kid doing all the fast runs that the other kids couldn't play. I felt like a tiny lead guitarist with a tiny guitar. I was rocking at 10 years old.

The rondalla was a great learning experience, and I really enjoyed my 2 years there. Even if I had to sacrifice my afternoons (classes where only in the morning) which most kids will not enjoy. We had some great performances (mostly school programs), and the highlight was us playing the school's entire graduation ceremony. Imagine playing the graduation march over and over again for what seemed like eternity, while six-graders slowly march their way to the stage to get their diplomas. That was tiring, but it was all good!

To be continued: The Mapua High experience.