December 19, 2013

Uploading Songs

I've been busy recording original and cover songs on Soundcloud. My original I Know You Know, I just re-uploaded. The two cover song I uploaded this week were Whiter Shades of Pale and Simply Jessie. I have been doing my recording on my Samsung SII and a four track app. I plan to do more recording and uploading of songs and get them out there for the public to hear. I will do songs from our set list. There are about a couple of hundred songs in our songbook so I will probably do some of them too. My original songs will, of course, have to be recorded and uploaded as well.

The whole idea of this recording and uploading of songs is to keep me busy and get on with composing of new songs.

December 05, 2013

It's Been Six Months

This blogspot has gone haywire for some reason. Posted pictures and videos can no longer be viewed. I guess that's what happens when you don't update regularly. Even our cover page has turned, I'm not sure what it's called, but...

The last time I visited my blog was in July. So many things had happened since, as far as MASID concerned. We had been doing our regular gigs at the Highlander Steakhouse in Tagaytay Highlands. We've had crazy schedules but that was okay. We've been doing other gigs on the side. We were requested to play at the Peak Bar in Tagaytay Higlands, we played in a choral group during our church anniversary celebration, and also played at the wake of Mr. Edgardo "Bebot" Francisco. Our schedule this month at the Steakhouse is full.


July 01, 2013

July 2013: Guitar Teaching

I have offered to teach guitar lessons again, starting this month. My student to-be has grown older and may have more passion for learning to play the guitar. Of course before I start delving into this task, I had to refresh my skills by researching best and effective ways of teaching guitar to beginners.

We have received our Highlander Steakhouse performance contract for this month.

This month also we celebrate Tomas Mitchel's 1st Birthday!!!

July 1: Been brushing up on my guitar techniques. Pentatonic Scale is the flavor of the day!

C Pentatonic Scale
 July 2: Received a test message from Dante asking about performance? Told him our next performance will be on July 13 & 14 at the Highlander Steakhouse.

Enjoying the guitar apps I've downloaded. I'd like the full version though.

July 3: Started looking at compiling all my original songs.

Worked on the bridge part for my OPM "Panaginip". It's sounding good so far.

July 4: Received a text message from Dante informing us that there was a good feedback from the owner regarding our performance at El Cielito Hotel last Thursday.

July 5: Got up at 1:30pm today. My sleeping pattern has changed since the start of this. I'm kind of attributing it to getting old hehehe.

I picked up my guitar to continue working on the bridge part of "Panaginip". It's really sounding good to this point. There have been slight changes to the lyrics, this will be a non stop process until the lyrics will really connect.

June 01, 2013

June 2013: Decisions, decisions, decisions. What a month!

Had to make make big decisions this month on whether to take the Balesin job offer or not. We also have a wedding performance this month, June 29th. Masid performance at El Cielito Hotel had good feedback from the owner. 

June 1: Played at Mykonos for lunch. Mykonos is an outlet that is always full with guests be it lunch or dinner. I was requested to serenade the guests at the veranda too. That was a great experience.

There seem to be VIP's today at Mykonos.  Both the Chief Chef and F&B Manager (Gerald) were at the outlet making sure things are going well.

At dinner time, I was playing at Costa del Sol outlet. My first time to play here since it opened a week ago. An additional outlet this being the sixth of seven outlets on Balesin Island. Great place, great ambiance.

June 2: I was schedule to play at Bali outlet for lunch today. Unfortunately, there was a communication breakdown. Guests have been transferred to other outlets due to the frequent brownout being experienced in this part of the island. Nobody knows what to do with me so I was there during the duration of my performance just taking photos. I left as my time came up. Apparently, half the staff were due for their R&R that day too.


Artifacts at Bali and Dining Area at Mykonos before the guests arrived

June 3: Due to fly back to Manila today. Today is also the day I was asked, by the Island Director, if I was interested to work for Balesin Island Club as one of the in-house musicians. It came as a surprise to me as I didn't see this coming. I didn't have any answers that moment so I requested for some time to think about it.

There are too many things to consider about the offer. It was not too bad really except that I now become an employee and all the benefits, conditions etc. etc. I'll be enjoying including the the 26 days on 4 days off roster. There is no INC church there I can go to for my spiritual needs. It's going to be "too close yet too far away" distance from my family.

All musos were gathered at the airport that afternoon to discuss the Balesin offer. It turned out there already was some underground activities going on. The group (led by Jun) Highlites, 3/4 and Joey, had already been spoken and have accepted the offer. There arise the faction between Jun and Zaldy group. The afternoon turned sour because it looked like Jun never communicated this to Zaldy. He went for the contract on self-interest.

June 4: Got in touch with Sharlene Kho regarding her wedding on June 29. She's asking me for a contract. I've never done contracts before but there is always a first.

June 8 - 9: Masid performance at Highlander Steakhouse in Tagaytay.

E-mailed Sharlene contract.

June 11: Zaldy called, informed me that I am booked to fly to Balesin on Thursday.

Dante sent me a text message asking if I was going to Balesin.

June 12: Zaldy called informing me that if I fly to Balesin on Thursday, that I have accepted the offer of the Island Director. Zaldy arranged another meeting of all musos tomorrow at the Balesin hangar.

June 13: I have made a decision. If there was a better offer, then maybe I will consider.

I went to the Balesin hangar, without my equipment,  to attend the so called musos meeting but no one showed up except the Highlites group who were also booked to fly to the island. They have accepted the offer.

Here starts the end of my Balesin experience. It was good while it last.

June 17: Preparation for June 29 Wedding.

June 20: Sharlene e-mails 50 song lists to be performed at the wedding.

June 21: Miami Heat wins back-to-back NBA Title

June 22 - 23: Masid performance at Highlander Steakhouse, Tagaytay Highlands

June 24: Dante texted for possible performance at El Cielito Hotel on Thursday.

June 26: Thursday performance is a go.

Got a call from Dr. Baltazar (c/o Mr. Rudy Mago). Requesting us to perform at his wife's birthday on Saturday. Unfortunately, we have prior commitments already. Next time!

June 27: Performed at the "Folk Night" in El Cielito Hotel Bar. During the first set, the bar had only a young couple (husband and wife) and the waitresses listening to us. The couple chose to opted to sit at the bar area and were truly enjoying our music. We completed our first set then went for a short break.

As we returned from our break for our second set, the house was half full already. People were singing (videoke) so we were not sure what to do. As we approached the stage, our stuff was moved to the side and there was a giant screen at the stage. I asked Kyle to see the in-house DJ and ask him what was going on? Do we continue to play or do we pack up? The DJ told Kyle that it was the last song and that we will go back for our second set. We proceeded with our second set the requests came pouring in. Because it was "folk night", we were equipped for the night. Some guests tried to request for songs outside of the box (RNB), we had to apologies to them told that it wasn't in our repertoire. After the 45 minute set, we went for another break.

On our final set, guests were already singing along with us. It was another great performance for Masid. Unfortunately, Kyle was a bit tired as he had to come straight from work. The F&B Supervisor (I guess) discussed opportunities for us at the place but we said we were just filling in for a friend. He would like us to do other functions as the opportunity arises.

June 29: Wedding performance for us today at The Mango Farm. The weather was not too cooperative. It was drizzling when we arrived at the site. The supposedly outdoor cocktails had to be moved to the Gazebo where it was covered. We were positioned at a covered area so we're pretty much OK. After the cocktails we transferred to the main building where the wedding proper was going to take place. We did our part as mentioned in their program. We had no relations to the couple, just plain provider of background music during the reception, so there was no need to hand around. We left upon completion of our role :).

At the main building
Outside during Cocktails

A couple a days later, I received on my Facebook account a message from, now the wife, Sharlene who seemed quite happy with our performance.


Facebook message from Sharlene Kho
June 30: Received a text message for Balesin F&B Manager re musicians schedule. Funny... funny...

May 01, 2013

May 2013: Great Moment with Mr. Jose Mari Chan and Family at Mykonos


May 16: With Mr. Jose Mari Chan and Children:

Today, I was able to have a photo taken with Mr. Jose Mari Chan and his children. Great family, great kids and great singers.

It started off when I was doing a solo performance at Mykonos outlet. A young man approached  the bar to where I was playing and was singing along, harmonizing to the song I was playing. Then, a young lady followed and there were three harmonizing voices already. It was great to hear them. I asked the young lady (Lisa) if they were singers too, because they were so good. She told me they were the children of Jose Mari Chan. My first reaction was OMG!

Mr. Jose Mari Chan came in the dining hall and the young man (I thinks his name is Michael) called his dad and introduced me to him. Wow, what a moment! Then they requested songs from The Eagles, Crosby, Stills and Nash while they were waiting for their meals to arrive and all were singing along. 

Me with Mr. Jose Mari Chan and Children
Mr. JMC and me

Their meals arrived and so I carried on entertaining. Requests from their table still continued. Then about an hour later, Mr. JMC asked me if I was ready to take a break. He asked me to join them at their table. Mr. JMC suggested that I sing some of his songs because his songs would suit my voice well.

My short break was up so I had to excuse myself.  Mr. JMC asked for my contact details so he could send his CDs to me so I could practice songs off them. True to his word, he sent me 9 CDs through the mail.

9 CDs from Jose Mari Chan
Before they left, they sang their last song Blue World by the Four Freshmen. Astig!



March 29, 2013

March 2013: Busy Month

March 01 (Fri): Zaldy called, asked me if I was available to fly to Balesin tomorrow, of course I was :). My flight was at 8am.

March 02:  There were new set of musicians this trip. Bong (soloist) and a Trio composed of Jun and two ladies.  I saw Zaldy on the island too. I wasn't too sure what he was doing there with his keyboard. I asked him though, and he said he was suppose to accompany someone last night. Danny, the original soloist, was on the island too.

I was going to do a dinner gig at Mykonos today. I was kept busy with Jun showing him where his group will be performing. They were going to do a dinner gig at St. Tropez. I introduced Jun to the Village Manager who helped him with requirements for his gig there.

It's gig time! Jun, the two ladies and I got on one electronic car to our destinations. I dropped them off at St. Tropez then I headed off to Mykonos Village.  Danny did a lunch gig the Fish Fun and dinner at the Clubhouse. Bong did lunch at Phuket Village. It was a quick set up for me this time because there was no sound system to be used. It turned to be a great gig as customers were singing along as I played. After the gig, I rode home with Alex, the Village Manager, up to the clubhouse. We said our good nights and off we went to our respective rooms.

The Trio were a bit disappointed when they arrived camp. Jun told me that the St. Tropez Village Manager was not too happy with them because of their prolonged break time, too bad. Danny did okay and so did Bong.

March 03: there was a vacant seat on the plane today. Sir Mike, the Village Director, asked us who wanted to take it, I grab at the opportunity as I had other important business to attend when I get back home.

The rain came down pouring as I was walking from the Clubhouse to the airport. I was not soaking wet but the rain did enough damage to make me sick and lose my voice :(.

March 06: It's my Mom's birthday. I sent her greetings on Facebook. I tried to call her but she was not answering.

March 07: Zaldy called, informing me that Sir Mike has "hired" me as a regular solo performer at Balesin. Yehey! :).

March 09 & 10: Gig at the Steakhouse, Tagaytay Highlands. 

Worked on my solo gig list for the Steakhouse and Balesin Island Club.

March 16 & 17: Gig at the Steakhouse, Tagaytay Highlands. Got our new contract with Steakhouse for April 2013.

March 20: Zaldy called, wants to book be for Balesin on the 26th. I got in touch with Manny, alternate entertainer at the Steakhouse, requesting him cover us so I could do Balesin from the 26th to the 31st. Manny's schedule was full also. Honestly, I was not too keen on doing Balesin due to prior commitments especially religious matters. In the end, I opted to stay and fulfill my obligations here.

March 21: Zaldy called, asking if I am available to go to Balesin on the 23rd? I wasn't!

March 22: Zaldy called, asking us to do Golf Club on the 30th. Can't, we have a scheduled gig at the Steakhouse.

March 24: Reunion of the Ongchangco's. Lix, Kislap, Danea and Soon are in the country. Picked them up at Avida Towers in Makati and brought to Quezon City. Went to see Jing, Mitz and Tomas after the reunion. Spent the night with Tomas.

March 26: Lix and Kislap came over to Sta. Rosa to spend time with us.

March 27: Brought Lix and Kislap to check out the wake boarding place at CWC, Republic Wake Park... after that  we brought them to Rizal's Shrine in Calamba, Laguna.

March 28: Lix and Kislap decided to leave for the metro. They had other appointments to meet.

(Duo) Dinner gig at the Steakhouse.
Traffic going up Tagaytay was terrible. It took us nearly 2 hours to get to Tagaytay Highlands. The sound system at the Steakhouse was really bad.  The whole system was playing up. Steakhouse was jam packed.

March 29: (Solo) Lunch gig a the Steakhouse.
Traffic going to TH was no different to yesterday's. The sound system remained as when we left it last night. Steakhouse was still full.

March 30: (Duo) Dinner gig at the Steakhouse.
We left kinna early this time. Traffic was not as bad as the previous days. We decided we do something about the sound system. We connected the in-house speakers and the sound improved tremendously. There was a family who showed interest in our music. They stayed till we finished our gig.

March 31: (Solo) Lunch gig a the Steakhouse.
Traffic was much better today but going down was unforgiving.

I used my nylon stringed guitar to day. I decided this will be my instrument when I do solo gigs. I was not too comfortable using this guitar but I didn't have any choice. Amazingly, I got positive reactions from guests. One of them approached me and remarked "you're good, man!". Isn't that something?

It was one busy month!

February 23, 2013

Balesin Island Club Experience


The Balesin Island Club gig was proposed to us sometime in November by Zaldy, Senior Musician, at Tagaytay Highlands. We did not take this proposal seriously because it seemed "too good to be true". Althought we've been hearing rumors of the place from the Steakhouse personnel when we were just starting at the Steakhouse, it never crossed our minds that we will be considered to do gigs there.


On November 24, 2012. Zaldy approached us when we were having dinner at the Golf Club Canteen. He asked if we would be interested to be auditioned at Balesin Island in Quezon Province. Whoa! Why us? Zaldy never heard us perform ever and now he is asking us to be auditioned in Quezon Province? Of course that was flattering to us. We asked when and how to get to the place? He said, we would be flown in to the island for the audition, if we make it we stay there for the gig date which is the next day, then we fly out after the gig. It sounded great!




Unfortunately, we were not able to fly to Balesin Island until mid February 2013. December 2012 was not a good month for us due to prior commitments. Another opportunity came up in January 2013 but there were too many guests flying to the island therefore all seats were booked. We didn't lose hope, the flight to Balesin Island came in February 23. I was the only one who was booked to go Balesin because what they needed was for a solo performer.


Anyway, I made it there. Met up with the people I was suppose to meet and got an assignment immediately at the Mykonos Village for a lunch gig. The Village Director was at the clubhouse and asked me where Kyle was?





I did two gigs at Mykonos, during lunch and dinner.

The following day, I was assigned to play at the St. Tropez Village (French Theme). I did lunch and dinner there too.





There is just one thing I am not used to, performing without a sound system. I was singing to the top of my lungs. But having done that, I noticed that the acoustics of the places where I played at were kind of cool. The areas were just the right size that using a sound system would be an over-kill if. Amazing design, I reckon.

I became an instant "haranista" when I played at St. Tropez. A guest approached me requesting that I serenade  his friend at their table.  It was truly a cool experience. 

A week later, I was called again to perform at Balesin Island Club. I played at Mykonos for dinner gig. I must have left an impression :). 

January 27, 2013

Gig at Belle House 2 in Tagaytay Highlands

January 25th, another successful gig for MASID at the start of 2013. Mr. Rudy Mago (better known as Father-In-Law of actress now Mrs. PIA GUANIO-Mago) contacted us to ask for our availability to provide music for them during dinner time after their Strategic Planning Meeting at Belle House 2 in Tagaytay Highlands. Big treat for MASID this gig was of course. The best part was when when the couple, Steve and Pia, jammed with us. They love to sing love songs. Pia's choice for Steve to sing was "More Than Words" by Extreme. While Pia sang "Simply Jessie" by Rex Smith. The host, Mr. Mago, sang quite a few songs of America, Eagles, Beatles and the list goes on :). We had other jammers also from the crowd of 20 special people. It was quite a lengthy gig but we  too had fun playing for them. Everything was great that night, ambiance, food and most especially the people.

Thanks to the Mago Family for choosing MASID 2nd time around to provide music for such a simple gathering.

Note: We have a video of Ms Pia singing "Simply Jessie" that will be uploaded as soon as I find the adapter for transferring files . The place was a bit dark, so you will only hear her voice :(.