Guitar Series - 3rd-G Cristobal

Photo description:  3rdG Cristobal and Paco Arespacochaga at Club LQ in New York City for INTRoVOYS' 2005 reunion tour

In my years at La Salle Greenhills, I would always see 3rdG messing with his rondalla (plectrum musical instrument). I wasn't impressed at all. I didn't care much about music back in 7th grade. But 3rdG was!

He wanted to be famous...and to that, I was able to relate. 

Fast forward to 1986, we were in our sophomore year when 3rdG told me he was ready to form a band. I was like... "There's no way you're bringing that rondalla up on stage,man!"  He assured me he was going to play guitars. What a relief. 

We set out to score our first rehearsal gig at a rehearsal place called Bootleg, located in White Planes Quezon City. I called the the place to book our band. The guy on the other end, who was kinda uninterested, ask the name of the band. 3rdG told me to say "InstruVoice" but for some reason, the guy booking our rehearsal misspelled it and wrote down INTRoVOYS!  How funny! But we didn't care.

3rdG and I brought in Jonathan Buencamino to jam with us.  The line up was 3rdG on guitars, Jonathan on keyboards and me on VOCALS.  We were to cover Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts In Large Amounts". Epic fail guys!

I was so out of tune in singing and Jonathan was more of a pianist than a keyboard/synth player. So we decided to let Jonathan take over the singing chore and I was to become... OBSOLETE!!! 

I didn't know how to play any musical instrument and I thought I could sing! There was my short lived dream of becoming famous, I thought to myself. I wanted to cry but decided to put up a straight face and just smiled as I watched Jonathan and 3rdG jam. 

3rdG didn't want me to feel left out so he ask me if I wanted to sit behind the drum kit. I said "yes" even if I didn't know how to play. But 3rdG knew what to do behind the drums and he taught me a rhythm I learned pretty fast! 

All three of us were surprised that I learned how to play my first beat in less than 5 minutes! I was desperate!

And we were all happy and excited about our first accomplishment.  

Looking back, I always go back to that moment when 3rdG healed my broken wing.  He knew I shared his dream and passion and he made sure I was part of the ride. I had learned more beats since then and have now considered myself a "drummer". But I will always be grateful to 3rdG Cristobal for encouraging me and for introducing me to an instrument that gave me a life other people can only dream of!

Where I Left Off

It's funny how time flies. In just a few hours, another year will be added to my life. Interestingly enough, I don't feel a tad older. I do remember back in the day, I'd rush my body and mind to grow up already. Today, I just chill!

But a huge question still hangs over my head.  Every so often, I catch myself rhetorically asking "do I like where I am?" and I don't recall giving a response.  Sad. 

And although I've mentioned earlier that I don't feel a tad older, I do feel tired.  Physically... I'm good!  Mentally, spiritually and emotionally... I'm spent, bent even!

I blame no one for where I am.  On the contrary, I am embarrassed for dragging my loved ones to where I am now... "This Dark Place".  

For a moment, I lost hope. I caught myself tolerating things I wouldn't have tolerated years ago.  But that's because I've done things I never knew I would've done.  Lame.  

There is no way to change what has been done.  But I've come to terms to deal with the consequences of my actions.  

Yes, my nights have been worst than they were but it makes me appreciate the rare times I'm able to have a good night's rest.

As much as I would like to go on... all I know is that this whole chapter in my life is necessary for me to handle what I am about to go through.  

No I'm not worried.  Sad... yes.  But it is what it is.  

And like any other journey, there are days when the roads are wide and clear.  And there are days when the roads are narrow and jammed.  And then there are those days when traffic is just at a standstill and you wished you didn't have to be on the road at all.  Such is life!  And I've learned to accept and embrace its dynamic with a optimism and faith in the Almighty that all things are possible and that no one is beyond hope!