Dingdong Avanzado on his Skydome concert & overseeing daughter Jayda’s career

Dingdong Avanzado on his Skydome concert & overseeing daughter Jayda’s career

by rick olivares

There’s a hint of white in his hair. But they boyish grin and that spark that has always lit his eyes is still there. Thirty years into the music business, Ding Dong Avanzado is like the Philippines’ version of the later American radio and television personality Dick Clark, who was nicknamed “the Eternal Teenage” because of his youthful looks even well past middle-age.

On Friday night, April 26, at the SM North Edsa Skydome, in a concert dubbed “D’80s” (produced by Ed and Liza Dural), Avanzado put on an incandescent show that he and his band, the Doorbells, even went beyond their prescribed setlist. “I’m having fun,” he said on several occasions during the show as he raced through some of the popular songs of the 1980s before launching into his own hits and then some.

“I don’t think I have had to really work in these 30-plus years,” Dingdong shared an hour before he took the stage. “Music and performing has been a passion so what I put into my songs and performances is a reflection of that passion and love.”

For those who haven’t seen Avanzado perform in a while, he had ditched minus one shows for a live band. “As an entertainer, I feel like I am shortchanging the audience; para akong nag-videoke when I sing minus one,” he related of the decision to put up his own band. “My long-time musical director Elmer Blancaflor suggested putting up a band and true enough, iba yung quality ng show. Iba yung feel ng show kapag may banda.”

And 30-plus years into the business, Dingdong continues to bring that familiar energy to his shows as he constantly hops, skips, jumps, dances, and interacts with the crowd. Friday night at the Skydome was no different. 

While his voice is no longer thin, high-pitched one when he started out, years of performing and taking good care of his body has seen his range widen. He can still hit those high notes, but he can lower them into a maltzy baritone when need be. Hence, a range of New Wave, original, and OPM classics for D’80s.

As much as the crowd loved the New Wave covers, they jumped, danced, and sang along to his original songs – Original Pilipino Music classics – such as “Tatlong Biente Singko” and “Maghihintay Sa’yo” among others. 

At one point, he held his wife, fellow singer and actress Jessa Zaragoza’s hand, and looked deep into her eyes as he sang a song. And he also looked and acknowledged his daughter, Jayda, herself a promising singer and songwriter.

“Music,” pointed out Avanzado. “Is like a love affair. I gave it my heart and soul and it has given me a family and an opportunity to live and even make others happy.”

“With my band now, we try to do different versions of my songs. When I see young kids appreciate my music and it’s a great feeling,” said Avanzado. “More so a song like ‘Tatlong Biente Singko’ which for a title sounds so dated (named for the three 25 centavo coins one had to plunk down to make a telephone call in public pay phones) still does well. Even with my own daughter who at first didn’t get it.”

A couple of years ago, Dingdong and Jessa released “20/30”; an album that celebrates Zaragoza’s 20 years in the industry as well as Avanzado’s own three decades. The album, under Star Records, featured reimagined versions of their songs with each singer doing takes of the other’s classics. 

But right now, Avanzado admits taking a greater interest in Jayda’s budding career. “When at age 12, she began writing her own songs, I told myself, ‘This is real.’ And my wife and I completely threw our support behind her choice of a career.”

While Jayda represents the future. Friday night belonged to Avanzado (and opening acts Esremborak, JR Custodio, Maria Laroco, and Benedict Dural). 

“That was fun,” he pronounced after an hour and 30-minute set. 

And who says Dingdong Avanzado is done?

With old friend, Dingdong Avanzado.

Satchmo sings Disney

Big fan of Louis Armstrong. I have the cd of Disney songs sung by various artists from back in the 80s. So am glad to get thus collection of Disney songs sung by Satchmo. His last recordings that were originally released in 1968.

Glad to get this from Record Store Day 2019.

Filipino-Indian band Maticrust selected for Warsore tribute album

Filipino-Indian band Maticrust selected for Warsore tribute album

by rick olivares

Filipino-Indian crust band Maticrust which is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has been selected to be a part of a tribute album to defunct Australian crust band Warsore.

Mati Crust will be one of 39 international bands who will be featured in the 10-inch tribute album. 

In the Aussie band’s 17-year career (Warsore split up in 2012), they never released any solo album. Instead, they appeared on 19 split records, extended play singles, and compilation albums. They did have one EP that was released in 2003 titled Brutal Reprisal. The band however influenced many other crews across the world. 

Crust is a fusion of abrasive hardcore and extreme metal. Maticrust is composed of two Filipinos and two Indians who both live and work in Dubai. The band – Don Collado on vocals and Dennis Tana on guitars are both Filipino while Nishit Ramesh on bass and Rippon Madtha on drums are Indian – was formed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2013 where all four are now based. Collado makes a living as a graphic designer. Tana is an estimator who handles data. Ramesh is a sales team leader while Madtha works with an external affairs department of a company handling public relations and communications.

Aside from the Middle East, Maticrust has performed in Eastern Europe and made their triumphant debut in Manila two years ago.

“It is an honor to be selected to be one of the bands in this tribute album,” ventured Collado. “We hope we did Warsore justice.”

The Tribute to Warsore was a collaborative effort between Power-It-Up, Grindfather Production, and Extreme Terror Production and only 500 copies will be pressed. Each 10”-inch record – in white or black vinyl -- will come with a 16-page booklet and poster. 

This record will be made available in the Philippines through a Filipino distro based in Australia by July of this year. 

Shoegaze from Southeast Asia for the Filipino music fan

Shoegaze from Southeast Asia for the Filipino music fan

by rick olivares

The popularity of shoegaze and dream pop music is at an all-time high all over the world with bands releasing new albums to acclaim and sales.

The British bands that popularized the genre -- My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, and Swervedriver are back. The former is ready to drop their second album since they reformed a few years ago. Slowdive is still touring heavily in support of 2017’s self-titled fourth album that cemented the return of the genre to popularity. 

Miki Berenyi of Lush that had an abbreviated return several years ago formed the shoegaze supergroup Piroshka that just dropped their debut album.

Russia’s contribution is pinkshinyultrablast that takes the etherealness of the Cocteau Twins and showers it all over the atmosphere. There is Dead Horse One from France, Ringo Deathstarr and the Stargazer Lillies from America, India has the brilliant Lo! Peninsula, and Rev Rev Rev from Italy to name but a very few. 

Here in the Philippines, after Sonnet 58 came out in the 1990s (they released an EP on compact disc), there have been no true shoegaze bands that have followed suit. What the local scene has are hybrids; perhaps, more dream pop than the style espoused by Jesus and the Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, and Slowdive. There have been recent releases by Sugar Hiccup, Narcloudia, Identikit, the Strange Creatures, Megumi Acorda, and the Ringmaster to name few but none in the classic shoegaze style.

In neighboring Hong Kong, the shoegaze scene is alive and well with bands staying true to the wall of sound, fuzz, atmospherics, and whispery vocals that defined the genre when it first emanated from England. 

This 2019 has seen two Hong Kong bands – Thud and Twisterella – respectively release a single and full-length album on vinyl within weeks of each other (with a few others ready to follow suit). There are others such as Sea of Tranquility, So It Goes, and the quirkily named No Remains Virgin but their releases are all online and streaming. 

For Filipino fans of the genre who purchase albums from Western bands, we recommend these two from our neighbors.

Ado/Still Still by Thud (Songs for Children Records)

A double A-side release on seven-inch vinyl. Thud is like Slowdive where the dreamy vocals by Kim are utilized like a layer of sound. “Ado” soars then gives way to the pulsating “Still Still”. This is a wonderful follow up to their extended play release on compact disc, Floret (that contains the wonderful “Lime”). 

Seasons Over the Years by Twisterella (Imagine Records)

This band has been around for a while releasing an EP online and on cassette and are said to have developed a reputation for their live shows that are also visually striking.

If you can hear the Slowdive influence on Thud with Twisterella is Ride with the pop sensibility of Lush.  

Seasons Over the Years, their debut full length album is 10 years in the making and its out on beautiful white vinyl. And that’s a perfect complement to the seven tracks that never break you in slowly before taking you on a ride. “Stay Away is a slow burn that breaks you in. Then the band launches in the steamy Swervedriver rocker “Stationism” with vocalist Karen reminding me of Altered Images singer Clare Grogan. 

I love the alternate feel of the tracks that slow ones to charged songs. 

Check out both bands’ music on Facebook, Bandcamp, and YouTube. You can get in touch with them on FB to buy physical copies of their releases. 

Twisterella

Pinoy Punk band Betrayed

The original DMZ cassette release and the 1994 re-issue of Betrayed's first album.

Esremborak at the SM Skydome

Proud to see the band part of this concert streamer/poster/banner.

Some old cassettes signed by Francis Magalona

I ran with the late Francis Magalona sometimes in the early 1990s. I had these two cassettes signed during the baptism for my eldest son, Matthew, in 1993. Glad I kept them all these years. I also have all his albums on compact disc including his one album that was released on vinyl posthumously. 

Indie rock band Stray Mullets launches album this April 26

Indie rock band Stray Mullets launches album this April 26

by rick olivares

Indie rock band Stray Mullets will unveil their debut album, Melodies for Maladies, this coming Friday, April 26 at Mow’s in Teachers Village, Quezon City.

And I for one am excited. 

The Stray Mullets are a band that wears their influences on their sleeve, even their album sleeves. The three members have adopted personas ala virtual band, Gorillaz.  Most recently, indie rock band Pedicab adopted this “alien” look that they utilized on stage during shows to promote their recent album, Remuda Triangle. 

The album cover reminds me of the work of American satirical cartoonist Robert Crumb; a surefire attention grabber.

Joaquin Negra (aka JM Naceno) plays guitars, Ichivan Chan (aka Ivan Garcia) is on bass while Johnny Barracuda (aka JP Concepcion) sings lead vocals while playing the drums. And Melodies for Maladies in a manner similar to the Gorillaz’ self-titled debut, is a paean to their influences.

Visuals aside, the Stray Mullets make sure they deliver a fun debut that reminds me of what rock music is all about – a loud expression of life. 

The eight-track album is a raunchy rock and roller and never lets up. Melodies for Maladies opens with “Fine Lines” and an intro lick that is straight out of SoCal 80s rock or even ZZ Top. 

“Losing My Mind” which is about the relationship between comic book villains the Joker and Harley Quinn has that punk energy ala Stiff Little Fingers. 

Then they do an uber-cool re-make of 80s Pinoy Punk band, Private Stock’s “Hype’s Cool”. 

The second to the last song, “Keep Your Hands Clean” is what Johnny Barracuda says his attempts to write a psychobilly song ala the Cramps. And they do a great job of it that I had to chuckle. And for some reason, I thought of that scene in the old film, An American Werewolf in London, where the upbeat version of the Marcels’ “Bue Moon” just when the creature of the night attacks two tourists. 

And Barracuda’s husky and throaty vocals give it a different edge. 

The album reminds me of American New Wave band the Romantics or the great local crew Rizal Underground when dropped their self-titled debut in the 1990s. It was rock and roll laced with rockabilly, punk, and even blues influences. And the Stray Mullets’ Melodies for Maladies is in the same vein in terms of vibe, but the lads – Joaquin Negra, Ichivan Chan, and Johnny Barracuda – infuse it with their own energy and madness.

It’s a solid debut. And check out this Friday at Mow’s along Matalino Street or through their Facebook page. Joining them in their launch are Alienmonk, Irrevocable, the Geeks, the Shocking Details, Brain Twins, and Tao.

Something from the Misfits.

I will never forget that day for as long as I live. September 21, 2003. Took the R Train to Times Square and who is on the same train as me? Marky Ramone of the Ramones. And he was carrying a cymbal bag and the skin of his bass drum that had THE RAMONES on it. 

It happened that we were going to the same place... a show by the Misfits. Much to my surprise, he was the new drummer for the Misfits.

The band launched their Misfits Records that day with their initial offering, the album, Project 1950. 

Got my cd signed by Jerry Only, Dez Cadena, and Marky Ramone. Plus, they gave away this promo shirt. I took video of that (posing with the Misfits) and I need to convert it from video8. 

What a day. And the Misfits played Blitzkreig Bop.

Playing Jun Polistico's the Best of Philippine Love Songs

THE BEST OF PHILIPPINE LOVE SONGS BY JUN POLISTICO. As a kid, I was fortunate that my dad took me to watch the Juan Dela Cruz Band in Gapo, the New Minstrels at the Intercon, to be at a recording session of Wally Gonzales, to watch a show by Kuh Ledesma, and a concert by Jun Polistico. My dad took me backstage afterwards where I met Mr. Polistico, Mr. Golden Voice as he was called by the media. My dad used to play this record. And for the first time in my life I'm actually playing this. And I think this is cool. 

Flip single of the Specials and the Selecter (French press)

In case you noticed, the label of this flip single between the Specials and the Selecter is Chrysalis instead of the Specials' 2-Tone Records. This is because it was licensed to Chrysalis and this version pressed in France. 

Post-Record Store Day Pilipinas musings

Post-Record Store Day Pilipinas musings

by rick olivares

Record Store Day (April 13) has come and gone. 

And I’ll say that it is both good and bad. I want to share my thoughts about the international version and the local one.

Let’s start with the international and the “bad” which to begin with… isn’t really that bad. I guess, it depends on how you look at the event. 

There was a time when an artist’s discography was carefully curated but because of licensing agreements across continents, albums and releases looked different in many parts of the world. 

Case in point, the Beatles. To the real Beatles collector, it is the UK catalogue that is the official. It comprises 13 studio albums – Please Please Me, With the Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night, Beatles For Sale, Help!, Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles (The White Album), Yellow Submarine, Abbey Road, and Let It Be.

However, record labels in the United States and elsewhere chopped up the British releases for their own territories as well as to take advantage of the demand for product from the Fab Four.

I feel that Record Store Day is the same. It’s a great day to celebrate music and the return of vinyl to prominence. On the other hand, it also becomes a collector’s nightmare. 

For starters, am not sure how important it is to release all these recordings of demos, mixes, and live versions. How many more live Pearl Jam albums must there be? On the other hand, the Santana performance at the original Woodstock is a such a welcome addition to the legendary band’s canon. 

It is also a race to get those limited edition pressings and in this case, it reminds me of the hunt for records back in the 70s and 80s. I have long given up about being a completist – one who must have absolutely everything that my fave band or writer or artist puts out there. So, I am totally fine about not buying a lot of what is put out. Even in the open market, some of the costs of these flipped titles is mind-boggling. Thankfully, it is not something I fret and lose sleep about. But there are some that I must have as a fan even if it means forking out large sums of cash (within reason, all right?). 

Now, let’s venture forth into the Philippine staging of this event. This past April 13 was the third straight year that Record Store Day was celebrated in the country. There was the celebration at Newport Mall of Resorts World with vinyl sellers, DJs, and live music. There were pocket sales in other parts of the metropolis.

That was it. 

First, the facts.

Record Store Day is an annual event to celebrate the independently owned record store that brings together music fans, artists, and record stores all over the world. A large number of titles are pressed to be sold specifically on this day for participating stores. While most of these records are from popular artists, there are also unknown and indie artists as well but they usually produce their own and sell them on the same day. Local sellers import copies to sell them to fans.

The basic premise which is to celebrate the independently owned record store is satisfied in the Philippine version. Even with the selling of those releases from the US and the UK. However, it has since become a vehicle for the big record labels to put out product that brought back consumer greed and speculation which always brings down any market. 

As for using the occasion to promote local music, well, outside the band performances, there is hardly anything. In contrast, during Japan’s celebration of RSD in 2012, only one local artist took part wherein there was an exclusive release. By 2016, it climbed to a high of 43 exclusive Japanese releases for that day.

The Philippine music scene is alive and kicking without the help of record labels which aren’t major as they once were. There are bands a plenty and more rock clubs, bars, and performing centers than there were back in the 1990s. Bands oft put out their own products on vinyl, compact disc, cassette, flash drive, download, and or streaming. This they sell at gigs or online. 

As busy as the music scene is, it isn’t what it once was where you didn’t need to go to a club to know it was alive. Bands were on commercials, television, the newspapers, in the malls… they were everywhere.

The times have changed and in my honest and informed opinion, the scene needs a band to break down all the walls again.

The other is the record scene or the physical format scene. The fact that there are at least three dozen independent sellers with shops, or stalls in Metro Manila alone (at least 13 have physical shops that are situated in Makati) not counting those online sellers. That shows that it is a thriving industry. 

Satchmi, The Grey Market, and a few underground distribution/record labels are the only independent sellers to produce records by local artists but thus far, none have been released on RSD. Offshore Music has released two items on RSD in the first two stagings with their first offering delayed by reasons beyond their control. 

Aside from that, there have been no other exclusive offerings. Foreign releases remain the top purchases. 

Why do local artists do not sell as much? 

Are you promoting music on the vinyl format -- that in terms of demand and sales are overwhelmingly foreign records -- or are you promoting local music? They are apples and oranges. They are two questions that may not necessarily intersect. If the two do not meet, then there is no point. Because what do local bands and artists have to do with RSD other than buy records – for the few that do on this day?

In my informed opinion, it is because of a preference to buy foreign and not local, price concerns, a lack of awareness or an appalling lack of interest, and the fact, that not everyone has a turntable. It is one or the other or a combination of many things.

The funny thing is the OPM releases of the 1970s to 1980s fetch large sums of money while for the local releases of recent years, perhaps the one that will sell for quite an amount if Up Dharma Down’s Capacities. Perhaps, years from now, the records released from 2005 up to the present will be in demand as well. 

It is expensive for bands to put out music on vinyl or even pressed compact discs (they go for burned copies which is a lot cheaper).

When artists put out albums now that sell from PhP 1,500-1800 is that good or bad? Some are of the notion not to undersell and to be proud of the product that is as good as foreign. Some are of the school to sell it cheaper so others will not have to think twice in buying. 

Answering that is not easy, I tell you. 

Nevertheless, I think that RSD should be a concerted effort by independent sellers all over the country. Have a RSD event in the north and the south and if possible even in north Luzon aside from the Visayas and Mindanao. Only through a concerted movement will the “scene” be really noticed and not said to be a fad or passing fancy.

Playing the Juan Dela Cruz Band's Manila Concert 1973

Not sure if the concert is for real, but this -- spurious or not -- makes a nice addition to my collection.

Cult Leader at Mow's

Wicked.

Got meself a shirt.

Hardcore bands Clean Slate and Veils release new EP & tape

Hardcore bands Clean Slate and Veils release new EP & tape

by rick olivares

Still Ill, that amazing and courageous independent record label based in Manila, in conjunction with US-based Violent Delights, released two items over the weekend. The first is the seven-inch vinyl extended play record of youth crew, Clean Slate, titled, “Young World,” and a demo cassette of doom hardcore crew, Veils. 

Young World is proof that what Russian-American author Ayn Rand wrote in The Fountainhead almost a century ago in 1934 -- a call for individuality over collectivism - remains valid and vital today as it did yesterday.

Young World drips with references. The lead off track, “Keating,” a reference to The Fountainhead’s Peter Keating character who subscribes to conforming but struggles to find expression in the wake of living inside the box, minces no words, “Dirty and sly. Need to comply. Every ‘yes’ you die. Kiss your dignity goodbye.”

The title track is the penultimate track of this eight-song EP and is aptly placed as a reminder to seize the day. 

Given all the rapid changes in our world today with overpopulation, food and water shortages, and giant corporations dictating how we live and act, it is no surprise that Clean Slate asks in the song, E.C. or “Existential Crisis” about their place in the world. 

It is a dangerous world out there with voices being silenced and Clean Slate will not go gently into the night. And much like youth crew progenitors, American bands Youth of Today and Gorilla Biscuits, Clean Slate is high on optimism but doesn’t spare on the aggro of their guitar assault. 

Young World is about 16 minutes of brutal truths. Hopefully, the clarion call is heard and heeded. 

The second release features Veils. With the follow up to their 2017 debut on seven-inch vinyl, coming soon, this cassette demo tape will whet the appetites of those who enjoyed their brand of punishing dark and metallic hardcore. 

The demo contains three new songs: “Haul”, “Embrace”, and “Swarm”.

Embrace has an ominous start before the blitzkrieg starts. There’s a haunting bit to the song ala Coal Chamber with its freaky guitars.

“Swarm” starts off dirge-like then those tortured guitars (such as when Eric Draven was playing his guitar atop a building in the film The Crow) scratch their way in. Then the mayhem hits.

Now the follow up to the awesome “Paradiso” and company from Veils’ powerful self-titled debut EP.

The Skatalites, Papadom & Je Bautista

In 1994, I was handling some small jazz and world music labels and Tropical Depression's magnificent Kapayapaan just came out. I had yet to sign Parokya ni Edgar and Datu's Tribe although I already saw Put3ska that then handled by Je Bautista (who along with Dominic Gamboa or Papadom before he went to La Salle Lipa were a year ahead of me in Ateneo).

The Skatalites' 30th Anniversary album was sent to me with the option to release it locally. Domeng lived about 10 houses away from me in Cubao and after work, I went over and showed him the Skatalites' cd.

I asked Domeng, will this sell? He said, yes, but do not order too many. At that time, I had released several albums from Shanachie Records, the Skatalites' label at that time. Through our efforts, they did all right here in the Philippines. So I wrote their president and said that the reggae and ska scene was growing. But cds were expensive and the local market preferred cassettes as vinyl began its decline. I would try and ordered only 50 cds.

The president of Shanachie sent me a cd signed by the members of the Skatalites and members of Toots and the Maytals who were a part of this recording. I gave it to Domeng as a gift. He was so happy that during their next show at Club Dredd, he thanked me on stage and urged the crowd to buy the Skatalites album. I think I sold 30 cds that night. After a week, I sold all my 50 copies and ordered another 50.

So I pulled out my copy of this cd and the memories of those days came flooding back.

Playing it now.

This is for Papadom and Je.

DJ at Record Store Day Pilipinas 2019

Was a DJ for Record Store Day Pilipinas 2019 at Resorts World. Here was my vinyl set list:

Skinhead Moonstomp - Symarip

Could You Be Loved - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Voices In My Head - The Police

What I Got - Sublime

Move On Up - The Jam

Ulitin - P.O.T.

You Don't Have Me - Epitome of Sound

Pisbol - Bing Austria and the Flippin' Soul Stompers

Reboot the Mission - The Wallflowers with Mick Jones of The Clash

Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra

Brandy - Looking Glass

Hey Ya - Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox

Lebanese Blonde - Thievery Corporation

Heartbeat - Tahiti 80

Crush - Ballet School

Shirley - Eraserheads

Stir It Up - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Wham Bam Shang-A-Lang - Silver

Maling Akala - Eraserheads

Record Store Day Pilipinas 2019 haul

A collection of early ska recordings by Bob Marley and the Wailers. I Love this album.

Ska Punks Voodoo Glow Skulls. Rasta Mis Huevos is their first ever record (EP).

I had this when I was in high school. Got this because of "Valley Girl" with uber cool vocals by Frank Zappa's daughter Moon Unit Zappa. That album is pretty good too. And what an album cover, right?

Hang the DJ (stories)

Reminiscing the Night Before RSD 2019:

I was in third year high school when one of my friends from Colegio de San Agustin asked me if I wanted to spin during a party at San Lorenzo Village. It wasn’t a dance party but more of hanging out and drinking and necking if you found a private place.

I had a mobile group in high school, but this was a solo gig and I said yes. 

Coincidentally, I played an all reggae, dub, and ska set. I have no idea why I chose this when these were the New Wave years.

The guys dug it but the girls pouted at me. One came up to me as I put on the extended version of UB40’s rendition of “Red Red Wine.”

She said, “Why are you playing Mexican music? Do you have any Duran Duran or Wham?”

I didn’t. I answered, “ No entiendo Ingles.”

The girl was surprised and asked my friend, Dionisio, your dj is Chinese but he speaks Spanish?”

Dionisio looked at me and he got the joke. We had a laugh.

By set’s end, they were all dancing to the Specials.

Got two new EPs: Clean Slate's Young World & Converge's Live at the BBC

Philippine Youth Crew

X-Factor UK alum Maria Laroco to tour US with boyband JBK and Marcelito Pomoy

X-Factor UK alum Maria Laroco to tour US with boyband JBK and Marcelito Pomoy

by rick olivares

This coming July, former X-Factor UK contestant will hit the United States for month-long tour that includes fellow show alumni (boyband) JBK and singing sensation Marcelito Pomoy.

In many ways, the trip is a fulfillment of an earlier trip to the US to perform in a post-X-Factor event that didn’t come to fruition when she was denied a visa. 

“Good things happen if you work hard for it,” quipped Laroco. “And if you wait for the right time for them to happen.” 

Laroco, the singing star out of Dagupan, Pangasinan, knows a thing or two about timing and rejection.

Prior to her X-Factor UK stint in 2018 that gained her international recognition, Maria auditioned for one of the country’s top entertainment companies. She was told she wasn’t too pretty enough. 

Yet her singing talent netted her a contract with a local record company but nothing happened for over an entire year such that when they sought a release, it was immediately granted.

“It was then that we decided to take matters into our own hands,” recalled Maria’s father, Freddie, of the decision to try their luck abroad.

Subscribing to the “Do-It-Yourself” ethic also takes a leap of faith.

Freddie and his wife, Vangie, are both teachers in Pangasinan. When they noticed that their daughter was winning singing competitions in and around their locale, they decided to give her musical dreams a serious push. 

“When Maria told us she wanted a career in singing, it came to the point that we had quit our jobs as teachers,” said Vangie. “You have to choose. You can be absent at work once, twice. But not too often. We decided to dedicate ourselves to giving Maria’s dream a chance.”

The parents switched to selling products online to provide for the immediate needs of the family. 

“I’ve always dreamt of performing abroad,” bared Maria who turned 18 last January. “And X-Factor UK was something I always watched and I decided to try my luck.”

When email arrived confirming that Maria got in, they couldn’t believe at first. “I think I must have read and re-read the email for a hundred times that day,” said Maria at the memory that remains a cherished moment.

Her getting in seems like destiny because around the same time, Maria took part in the Great British Festival, an annual event held by the United Kingdom’s Embassy at Bonifacio Global City, and won for herself two tickets to London.

“If that isn’t fate, I don’t know what is,” she noted. The tickets helped get them there. And the London Filipino community that included Freddie’s sister Edna, businessman Wynchu Importante, Fely Estacio, Maribeth Gaspar, Che Jadraque, Leo Sungpunco, and Terry Santos among others. Even Englishmen – Dave Moscrop and Charles Chandler – pitched in to provide not only board and lodging, but also help in terms of clothing but the means to get around.

“In return for the generosity of our hosts, we did all their house chores, baby-sat, and walked their children to school,” said Vangie. “It was our way of thanking them for all their help that allowed us to ease into new surroundings and for Maria to concentrate on performing.”

“It was a great experience for the entire family (including only son Michael Joshua who they took along),” said Freddie looking back at this life-changing moment.

Even one of those companies that rejected Maria changed their minds that they sought an audience upon her return to Manila (the family politely declined). 

After the X-Factor stint, Maria was invited to perform in a concert in Tokyo, Japan, in front of the Royal Princess, Masako. “It was a nerve-wracking moment,” confessed Maria. “It isn’t every day you get a chance to perform in front of royalty.”

And now there is this upcoming massive American tour with JBK and Marcelito Pomoy. Before that, there is the SM Skydome concert with OPM legend Ding Dong Avanzado, JR Custodio, Esremborak, and Benedict Soriano Dural on April 26.

“Sometimes, I still cannot believe everything that has happened,” reflected Maria of how performing on X-Factor UK has changed her life. “Imagine this… I get to perform in the UK and soon with Ding Dong Avanzado and go on tour with JBK and Marcelito. It is proof that you should never give up on your dreams.”