Finally after almost two months of waiting, Aquarela had their first show at Jazz N Bluz here in Cebu City. They previously played there last Sept. 9, 2007 at the request of Ms. Yoko, the club's owner, after their CD launching at SM City Cebu. The place was jampacked with people who love bossa nova and latin music.
I was so happy to see my idols in Cebu again and they too have been hoping for a repeat performance here since last month.
This was a very busy Saturday for me since I just came from a company sponsored tree planting near mount Manunggal the whole morning, then watched The CompanY at Ayala then straight to Jazz N Bluz for Aquarela.
Before the show Eve saw me at my table and I immediately approched her and MIguel. She introduced me again to the band members, and to the little angel Blanca Camille who came to Cebu with her Dad and Mom.
After a very warm greeting and introduction of the group by veteran DJ, mistah, and now producer, Pons Alvarez, together with lovely wife and 90.7FM Crossover Cebu station manager Joy, Aquerela performed some of their songs from their first CD, A Bossa Nova Affair CD. For those who loved ballroom dancing, there was a space for them to do their samba, and cha cha. I noticed that most of the audience were Spanish mestizos and mestizas but their were true blooded Spanish around. After about 45 minutes of playing, people started to request for their favorite songs. There was one couple who requested a French song but wrote their greetings and request in French so Miguel was kind enough to read the request and interpret this to the non-French speaking audience. They were celebrating their wedding anniversary and I did not expect that they were the Farrarons, Tito Quito and Tita Susan, who are Cebuanos but have been in Paris, France for more than 2 decades already. I saw them earlier coming in and stayed in a corner with their friends. When Miguel mentioned their names, I was very much surprised and was happy that the group did a French love song for them. But before the song, Miguel acknowledged them and was speaking in French too. But the Farrarons left before the show ended. I would have introduced them myself. Miguel thought they were French but I said they were our very close family friend whom I've known since my elementary days and both of them are Cebuanos, although they have Spanish blood. Tito Quito manages the Paris branch of our very own United Coconut Planters Bank. They have been coming back and forth probably to escape again the very cold weather there as what he told me before. They are also into developing a resort I think somewhere north of Cebu.
I was looking forward to seeing Mike Alba on percussions again but this time he did not come with the group. They were able to find Kenneth which was equally as good as Mike, but I'll never forget the first time they were here. The audience was treated to a surprise by inviting a former percussionist Jun Boogie and both Mike and Jun did the percussions and it was a blast. I am fascinated by the different percussion instruments and that is what I look for in a band specially latin or bossa nova. Even if I did not get a nap after the very tiring tree planting and two shows by two great professional performers, my eyes were still wide awake when Aquarela's show ended. Wow what a day!! I even had cappuccino after the show at IT park. Now I had a hard time sleeping after a very unforgettable day, but it was worth it. Long live Aquarela!!!
eve & miguel @ jazz n bluz.JPG
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 | muito obrigado!! merci beaucoup!! |
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