After another boring day at the office I headed at Glorietta for the Starbucks card launch. I read about it first at up dharma down's gig schedule. Then after few days, it's not in their gig sched anymore.
But while listening to RX, because Bamboo was there, I learned that the performers are Zia Quizon and Rico Blanco. So Zia replaces up dharma down, how interesting? To think that Armi and Zia sounds a like.
Anyways, I went to the event but of course without buying anything. I am just at the side like other gigs I've been to.
When I arrived at the venue, the morning rush or kikay barkada were there. I must say they are entertaining. Then Zia was the first one to perform. Her first song was "Ako na lang sana". I think it's brave for her to perform alone. Attention was only to her. Every move she makes we can see since she was the only one at the stage. She was singing with minus one. No drummer, guitarist or whatever.. In between songs she did some talking. But I sense some awkwardness there. The audience is so bland, quiet and NR. I mean this is a coffee event, not just ordinary coffee but it is STARBUCKS. Audience should be hyper. I expect cheers but nothing. There was a guy like in the noontime show that looks like floor director that telling when to clap. She sang "Time After Time", an original song, then a Sheena Easton song. 4 songs only? Why Zia? Ok. I blame my fellow audience. she was great. But at some point I wished the morning rush crew were there to make us more "alive".
Then Rico Blanco. I saw Monty first, so I thought Mayonnaise will play. But as they introduce the performer they were saying "pillar of OPM". Oh ok. It can't be Mayonnaise. Then Rico appeared. Yung cheers di pa rin ganun kalakas. He played keyboard throughout the show.
His first song was "Antukin". I love how he sang the lines "Gumawa na lang tayo ng... Baby" he smiled or laugh a little bit, but it seems natural not "pilit" since I know he always performs that song.
Then he said he will sing an old song. He played few notes... Uh oh. Please no. Rico Blanco I love you, you are genius but you can't sing 214. You can't sing songs that Bamboo is too much associated with. I heard Bamboo's name mentioned by some guys at my back but I can't hear it completely but I know we share the same sentiments. Yung cheers hindi ganun kalakas unlike the time when Ely Buendia sang eraserheads songs at the same venue.
The next song was "Your Universe". That Rico is what I was talking about. When he sang that song, I really enjoyed it and I felt he is making me harana. At the first note it was Rico only playing keyboards and Monty was like telling us to clap. See? That's how blank the audience are. I like to tell him you can sing songs of Rivermaya but it should be post Bamboo era. Actually I can write a separate blog on what Rivermaya songs he can and can't sing... He should stick on singing his own songs from "Your Universe" and "Galactic Fiestamatic" album. If he needs to sing Rivermaya songs, he should sing songs that originally he recorded.
Next was Elesi. Yes, Rico you can sing this song. I enjoyed that. It's upbeat and a nice sing along song.
I was hoping for songs from Galaktic Fiestamatic. But no he didn't sang any song from that album. I think he is resting from his alter ego Fiesto Bandido. But I like to see Fiesto live!
Then Panahon na naman. Lovely song. Relaxing indeed. I like to imagine myself at the beach while he was singing.
For his final song, at first I can hear hinahanap hanap kita riffs. Uh oh. No Rico, not that one either. But no, he sang Liwanag sa Dilim. But at the end part he sang some part of HInahanap hanap kita. That's cool. I can take it.
RICO oh RICO! At last I was able to watch you perform! Thank you for that relaxing set. But Boo! the blankong audience! Kulang kayo sa kape! Hahaha.. Excuse ako kasi may sakit ako. Hahaha
