Wednesday, December 15, 2004

i was reading a local filipino newspaper for filipinos in hong kong today and stumbled upon an article featuring filipino bands in hong kong - this feature is to highlight the filipino musical talent. a group called ch@terbox who plays their regular gigs at the hard rock cafe' in tsimshatsui, happens to be the band of my brother. here's the article:

They perform on stage with the enthusiasm of the young but with the talent often displayed only by those in their prime. They are Hard Rock Cafe's resident band, and they go by the name with the unusual spelling: ch@terbox. Though the group oozes with talent and skill, most members admit that they never thought of pursuing the musical path, much less embrace it as their destiny.

The band handily dealt with generation gap and musical disparity. But some could never buy the reality of the dwindling demand of musicians in Hong Kong. Formed in late 2000, Ch@terbox is the brainchild of Noel G. Ledesma, 30, the band's leader who plays drums, while he was soul-searching in the Philippines. Among his band mates now are the young and the young at heart: from guitarist Antonio Lopez Serrano Jr., the youngest at 22, to "Godfather" Dante B. Tebi, 49, on bass. Rounding up the group are lead singers Dean D. Cabezas and Aubrey P. Canedo, who at 25 years old, both belong to the younger half of the group, and Jose T. Tria, 37, on keyboard.

Playing music that spans several generations, from `60s rock n' roll to the latest craze, ch@terbox's is bound to please anyone, of whatever age. Save for the satisfaction that comes from entertaining, the group members say they did not at first see why they should turn musicians. "Try not to walk our road." This was the advice given to Aubrey by her musician parents, which she tried her best to follow. Tagging along to her father's functions from the age of four, Aubrey was exposed early to the harsh reality of a musician's life. "Nakikita ko sa magulang ko na hindi ganoon kadali (maging musikero) mukha lang madali pero hindi," said Aubrey. According to the lone female in the group, she "never planned to be a professional singer." But as she puts it, the singing caught up with her. Her band mates say the same thing of their shared career. "Pangit maging musikero. Hindi ito stable," says Dean, while Antonio sees it as a hindrance to his education. "Noong bata kasi ako, gusto ko talagang magtapos. Either gusto kong maging engineer or architect. Naging hobby ko lang talaga ito," he says. Jose not only concurs, he also himself not being a serious musician ever. He vows he will walk away from the keyboard the moment someone offers him a job in the field of electronics, which he studied for three years in college.

Their elders are more accepting of their fate. Noel says he decided he would be a professional drummer when he was just 17. Dante, who has played with different show bands, says he has no regrets about the profession that has taken him traveling extensively around Asia. "Hindi ito para sa lahat," said Noel. "It takes determination and originality." Dante says musicians discourage their children from following in their footsteps because they want them to finish their studies first. But this does not mean that a musical career should be resorted to only if all things fail. Still, the younger half maintains that sooner if not later, their act would tail off. Dean thinks a musical career will not assure the stability of his family while Antonio and Aubrey think they should be doing something else within the industry apart from performing.

But for now, it helps put food on the table. Despite their clashing views about their respective careers, the band members are able to maintain the friendship and respect that bind them all together. Asked where they see themselves five or 10 years from now, the ch@terbox members are unable to give a definite answer. But one thing is certain according to Noel. Wherever their music may take them, they will continue performing rock classics such as those sung by Queen, Rolling Stones, and the Beatles, as well as the latest hits of songs of upcoming stars. They will keep on raving up halls and providing wholesome fun for all the music lovers out there, from 16 to 60 years old.

Watch out for Ch@terbox when the band clashes with other groups during the Hong Kong Musicians Union's "Battle of the Bands" on February 13, 2005 at Chater Road in Central.

See the band play from Sun-Wed 11:30 a.m.-1:00 a.m. and Thurs-Sat 11:30 a.m.-3:00 a.m. at Hard Rock Cafe, G/F & 1/F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Kowloon, TST, Hong Kong.

to see the full gig schedules: visit livebands.

what my iPod is playing: soldier by destiny's child