Tanduay Rhum Rockfest: DAVAO

What’s more awesome than 5 legendary Pinoy Rock Bands rocking together? 30 (yes, thrity!) remarkable Pinoy Rock Bands rocking together! That’s hours and hours of music and fun and perfect bliss. Since it’s conception 6 years ago, the Tanduay Rhum Rockfest has paved the way of bringing together some of the biggest names in Pinoy music and for the first time ever, Tanduay Rhum extended the Rhum

Rockfest throughout the Philippines. Manila will not be the only one singing, screaming, jumping and bumping with loud music blaring; Cebu and Davao have also joined the party. 

To prepare the country for this massive musical synergy, Tanduay has devised a national tour, dubbed as  Tanduay First Five, together with the 5 Rock Royalty bands including Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Wolfgang, Urbandub and Rico Blanco. For months, they have swept the entire country with their music and exorbitantly extreme fun performances. Every T5 night is undeniably unforgettable. 

I have been blessed to be a part of several T5 awesomeness (thanks to Tanduay, of course!) and every time I click the shutter is a step towards my “dream come true.” And I thought T5 was already overwhelming, silly me! I never prepared myself for the Rhum Rockfest which, obviously, shook every nerve I have.  Alas, about 20,000 people joined the rock fest in Cebu with 15 bands playing while 30,000 (me, included) united in Davao with also 15 bands on stage. I cannot imagine how many passionate people will be singing in harmony in Manila tomorrow.

Tunog Tuna: Tunog Gensan Song-writing Battle of the Bands

General Santos City celebrated its 14th Tuna Festival and in the glorification of everything that is colorful, prosperous and well... fishy,
the power of music was of course never left out. With a massive support from Project O! Consultants in cooperation with Manny Pacquiao
Promotions, SM City General Santos, GandaEverSoMuch.com and Centerpoint Band, the local music scene showed its writing prowess
and intense ability to woo a crowd in the hope of bagging the crown as TUNOG TUNA’s first song writing grand champs.

(Disclaimer: To grab a photo, click on the photo TWICE for a much larger size then RIGHT CLICK+Save Image As.
Asking permission to grab is very much appreciated.)

Marty's Playhouse; Grand Champion: Tunog Tuna Song Writing Batttle of the Bands

Tanduay First Five 2012: Gensan Leg

An annual gathering of music, fun and booze. Presented by one of the country's top liquor brands, Tanduay  has brought together 5
legendary bands to tour around the Philippines to share their music and endless awesomeness. Together, Urbandub, Kamikazee,
Parokya ni Edgar, Wolfgang and Rico Blanco join forces to bring to life the best of OPM Rock.

Up Dharma Down

Up Dharma Down

16th September 2012

Abreeza Mall, Davao City

Kaskas VI: Photofolio

Ang Sigaw ng Musika sa Gensan

Robinsons Place Gensan

15th of October 2011

(Dear musicians:  To save photos, Click on photo for a larger size then Right Click on  photo + Save Image As)

Kaskas VI: Ang Sigaw ng Musika sa Gensan (teaser)

How great it is to be at the center of the synergy between music and passion and friendship. Where voices are not merely uttered and hearts do not only beat sparingly; where the love for music is given justice and even more. How great it is to be a part of a noble cause; of something not smeared by the lust for fame nor fortune; of something larger than I am, more so than anyone else. I was in the first (I had entry for this), second, third, fourth, fifth and now the sixth event. You would think my satiation level would reach its peak; you would think that the level or their intensity would die out; you would think so but that’s never the case and I don’t think that will ever be the case. It sounds so overdramatic but really, these kids and their music is so thick with passion you could almost cut it with a knife.

The Power of Five

On the 30th of July, the Tanduay First Five Tour finally arrived in our city. Having 5 huge national bands performing for us was surely a remarkable treat given as to how far we are from the capital city. It was no less than rock and roll, with sweat dripping and mouths screaming and hearts singing. The citizens of General Santos weren't disappointed in the least bit as every band gave out their all. Standing and singing along for almost 8 hours was never a hindrance but an honor.

I personally tried to muster all my strength to stay focused on taking photos. It was only a matter of time that I couldn't hold out anymore and finally gave in with the crowd. For a moment, at least. Specifically, when Buwi came out. I think I did some sort of fangirling and giggling and jumping around but knowing that I needed to keep my cool, I stayed calm and took a massive load of photos instead. Too bad, I didn't have the chance to tell him that he's the reason for the forever permanent marking behind my left ear. Haha!

The privilege to take photos was never an easy task for me to have though. Weeks before the event, I racked my brains out scavenging for ways on how to get in front of the stage so I could take decent photos without being elbowed or kicked or stepped on. I almost lost hope when I remembered a friend who could certainly help me. And helped, she did.

Alas, here are the photos and I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them. I arranged it in the order of each band's appearance. (There are gazillion photos below so don't stop scrolling!:D)

Chicosci

music.

Had a chance to be invited in a musical coalition organized by a prominent and promising local band, Centerpoint. Their cause is very noble. They aim to gather every local band in this area and share music together. It doesn't matter what genre your band is. It doesn't even matter whether your band just started playing a day ago. As long as you have music pumping in your veins, Centerpoint will uproot you and give you a chance to shine.

I have discovered a new love for band/concert photography because of this event. Low light is a challenge that I have yet to overcome. It was an entirely new field and I can't wait to shoot some more.