A very belated congratulations to our baby Bogsa for finally turning into a matured grown up. Asteeg ka kuya Mike!

Warning: there is no definite direction I want to go with these jumble of keystrokes. Skip to keep sane. Hi and welcome to another installment of me yapping about whatever comes into mind. I'm not kidding, just realized that no updates have been made on the site, so here I am, whipping up the 'ol notepad and graciously providing you some useless ramblings. read more..

“There’s no stopping us now,” I said to myself. The reason is because I never imagined TENSION playing songs from Guns and Roses.  When this band was formed in the early nineties, we never played nor even thought of playing glam rock songs (But, mind you, we like Guns and Roses and Sebastian Bach’s band too. The others, we dislike). It’s just not us. So basically, the question that’s been puzzling me was:  “Are we going to do the right thing?” We might be sending the wrong message to the audience, you know. Read more..

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;  

Well the day started nicely, got up, did my daily exercises, then headed off to la salle for my masteral class. I didn’t bring my car, cause it’d be easier and faster to use the rail systems for that day. Because aside from my masteral class from 12-3pm I had to be at SM north by 4pm to “conduct” a class. Read more..

    & nbsp;

I pick up my guitars, Sexy (my Fender US Standard Stratocaster) and Tulis (my Takamine modified Explorer-type guitar) as I prepare them for battle. By the way, it was the debut of Tulis that night. It was 9:30 p.m. and I was getting ready to go to Café Sa Guijo for TENSION’s performance in NIRVANA NIGHT. I start reminiscing the time when grunge music was the “in” thing. I remember it was the early 90’s, the time when TENSION was born. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains were at the top of my mind at that time. In other words, I was freakin’ excited. Read more..

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;  

November, 2004.  It was my second time in New York City in 2 years, so I wasn't going to pass out the chance to finally go to CBGB's.  I made sure to check out their website before leaving Manila just to make sure that:

(1)     they still exist, there was some word going around that they'd closed down and

(2)     it wouldn't be so hard to go there by subway.  The CBGB website by itself is interesting, turns out they opened a branch (!) in L.A.  Now, this part I should have paid more attention to because I was in L.A. and I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT!  Could have gone to 2 clubs on this trip, but anyway..... Read more

It was just past midnight on the 15^th of January when Siopao and I made a surprise six-song acoustic set—KANTO BOY style!!!  We surprised the rowdy crowd (it was a rock night as the bands Severo, Mayonnaise, etc., were playing and their repertoire was mainly rock music) as they played covers of rock music that were “impossible” to play in acoustic. Imagine these songs in acoustic:  Spoonman (Soundgarden), Seek and Destroy (Metallica), and Epic (Faith No More)!!!  Haha! The crowd loved it. Haha.  They had a taste of kanto boy music. And we did not even change the attack. We played the songs the same way, just using acoustic guitars!!! Haha. That surprised the crowd.

The two dedicated their set to Christmas Lights, that were making their debut appearance in Café Saguijo on the 18^th, and most especially to all the kanto boy rockers who “could not afford a decent electric guitar.”  The band thought of this months ago, for the reason that all the other acoustic groups used jazz chords and clean rhythms on their acoustic songs. “Nobody does it the electric guitar way on acoustic.  That’s why we should do it,” as I explained to my bandmates.  It proved to be a good formula.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;  

  It was almost 2 a.m. of the first day of this year when the four of us decided to jam in Café Sa Guijo. It was great, as we jammed for three hours, alternating with other musicians.  That started the pace of the year. For the record, the first song in Café Sa  Guijo for the year 2005 was played by TENSION.  Expect  more…

Three days later, Café Sa Guijo explodes as TENSION played one of its most powerful performances, highlighted by their rendition of the song “Jesus Christ Pose.”  I loved the way people looked at me, waiting if my eyes would pop out as I hit the constant high notes of the song. I noticed that all throughout the song, the people were quiet, listening like movie critics, gasping in disbelief.  I felt “Tension”, as it was my first time to sing this song in front of an audience.  Even during the first reign of Tension during the early nineties, we were not able to play this song for one reason or another. But it felt great as we ended the song, the crowd couldn’t help but clap their hands as a sign of appreciation. The song captured the night. Read More..

Fresh from Boski’s and Bogsa’s business trips (Boski went to several Mindanao provinces while Bogsa went to Boston and New York, not in Cubao but in the US), TENSION kicked off with their gig in Café Sa Guijo. It was a cool set by the band, playing in a more relaxed feeling. No aggressions, no pressure, no rush. Just cool playing by the four best fans of rock music. A rocker could have relaxed and chilled out with their set. Of course, an ordinary person would have broken his or her eardrum. 

Friends of the bands were there, Ross of the band Xmas Lights, Alistair (a pornographer, oops, photographer I mean), who has a webpage that posts pictures (and others more who went to the gig. Tension were all smiles during the gig and everything was cool. 

Siopao used his Ibanez instead of his usual Yamaha Les Paul, making Tension’s rhythm brighter and more modern. Boski used “Sexy,” his US Standard Fender Stratocaster, giving Tension the classic touch. Bogsa used “The Punisher,” his Aira Pro II Bass with 2 Humbucking Pickups, which sounds like a Jazz Bass, even having a thicker sound. Lastly, Tambol used a Pearl Export Series drum set, making the mix of modern and classic sound distinctively Tension’s. 

I had fun. There were two beautiful ladies watching in front. They entertained me while I was playing. Ang cute nila e. Hehe. I think they were models coz I they were as tall as me. I just hope they’re really girls! Haha. 

After the gig, we chilled out in the place until about 2 a.m. and decided to retire. There’s work the next day. We’re not full time musicians, ya know.

It was a great gig with other bands. Although I hadn't
fully recovered from colds and cough, I think I made
it good with the songs, even though I purposely did
not reach some very high notes. And, yes, Tambol and I took off our shirts. Twas a great time for good rockmusic and good looking chicks. Yes, the place wasoverwhelming with hot babes, it was too late before I realized, "Hey, what the f*%k am I doing here without my shirt?" But it was a great gig, I must say. Too bad Bogsa wasn't there to play.

Afterwards, we went out and ate in the famous Rufo's. It has been more than ten (10) years ago when I last ate there and it brought back fond memories. Tambol and his wife April, Ross & Ponchie (of Xmas Lights),
Jon (a fellow DLSU Marine), and I pigged out. It was great. Even if I don't have a chick, at least my tummy's full. Hehe.

Next time, I'll find a more interesting thing to eat.

    & nbsp;   &n bsp;   &nb sp;   &nbs p; 

After The Tension Gig, I went on a little excursion to find places where i could find dancers taking their clothes of. Dont get me wrong this wa purely for "research purposes", promise.. o sige na nga pleasure na rin. I had to write a paper for my Political Economy class and I chose to do a study about : "The Political Economy of Music in Philippine Strip Clubs". anyways, all i remember from that little excursion was i ended up having breakfast at a local lugawan with the dancers. I dunno what research material i gathered, but titties and beer is always good. I thought to myself i should do this again next week, this time sober.

News Flash!-- I'm Done. You guys can check it out here A special thanks to my best bud Ryel for helping me out. (3 hours of grace is in order)

About theTension Blog Page

This is the Tension blog page where band members and any registered users can share thoughts about anything that is remotely intersesting to our little group. This is like an online magazine of ideas and articles anyone would want to share. You can add images, links whatever to your featured articles. Have fun.