After laying off our music pastime of band jamming, we succumbed unto the creative passion of photography, and our once-a-year gig for our nostalgia band stretched to over 5 years of non-playing.
This was until a few weeks ago, when our band, the Past Forward, was invited to play at the Guli-at Kankabato’s Guitar Festival 2012 in Tacloban City.
Past Forward was formed sometime in 1993 in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa by former band members of various Tacloban ‘combos’ popular in the 60′s -” Time & Changes”, “Aftermath”, “Question Mark” and “Index”.
Organized for the annual Nostalgia Rock Concerts held during fiesta time in Tacloban City by Nestor Dolina (drums/Time & Changes) & Gerry Ruiz (keyboards/Aftermath) – the original group included Steve de la Cruz, Elmer Dolina, Mario Sicoy, Andy Repulda, Dico Palacio and Don (guitarist from Naga City), Ludette Ruiz and Eugene Sabarre.
Over the years, the band has evolved – both in its musicality and membership – from playing 60′s stuff to more current rock-jazz-alternative music. Among its alumni members include Sam Climaco, Noli Aurillo, Tata Montejo, Bimbo Caña, Butchit Torino, Dico Palacio, Norberto “Boy” Romualdez, Joseph Say and Phillip Pagaduan.
The current crop – the 9th “edition” – is composed of Gerry Ruiz (keybords), Nestor Dolina (bass), Mario Sicoy (drums), Coco Kalingag (guitar), Marti Ruiz (guitar), Rex Makabenta (guitar/bass), Dickie Diaz (keyboards), Rowell Roldan (vocals), Ludette Ruiz (vocals), Gae Samson (vocals) and Eugene Sabarre (vocals).
Past Forward’s rebirth happened with a gig during the Guitar Festival held March 15, 2012 at the Balyuan Amphitheater, Tacloban City.
The band’s playlist that night:
- Nuno Bettencourt – “Midnight Express”
- Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
- John Mayer – “I Don’t Need No Doctor”
- Doobie Brothers – “Dangerous”
- Jimi Hendrix – “Fire”
Wow! It was great getting back into the groove!
With photos by Ludette, Mike Ruiz and Ronny Bubble.
Hello Kuya Gerry:
Thank you always for sharing your beautiful photos with me. As I told you earlier taga Biliran hi ako…waray ako kalibutan nga keyboardista ka ngay-an. My husband plays piano too. His name is Tateng. I am glad you guys are still playing music…keep it up!
As they say music is the food of the soul!
God bless!
Dinah
Thanks for writing, Dinah. Yeah, as the saying goes, once a “musician” always a… hmmm…
Man, THE TATENG KATINDIG?! He is active in the US jazz circuit right? Thanks
I was a silent fan of Question Mark, Aftermath and Index in my college days to the point of having difficulty erasing that image of your Aftermath poster in the old DWU Social Hall (across from the gym) from my mind till today. It was a yellow poster bearing your band name stamped with the student affairs approval seal. Being a recent “ex-convict” out of the Vincentian seminary in Valenzuela, Bulacan and Angono, Rizal then, I had difficulty belonging except in a vicarious way musically. In fact I associated you, Gerry, early on with the Index. I am with you on this, ’cause I have an active variety cover band here in Orange County. I constantly talk with Chito Refuerzo in Washington State by phone as well as Babes Maallo (lead but played bass for us in our old L.A. group) just to satisfy the 100 months itch. They have periodic Jams in Seattle as well. Keep on with the force. Rock on!
Hey, pardner! Yeah, we gotta keep rockin’!
As the old adage go, “Keep on rocking”. Mano, you will love the rock scene here in Phnom Penh. Bands, mostly expats, play rock that is tinged with 60s – 70s rock, mostly blues and a smattering of soul, country, blue grass, southern rock etc… Enjoy!!!
Hey! Wish we could do a side trip there when we (hopefully) get to visit Hanoi soon!