Moonstruck at Aris
It is no secret, but every night since early January, a retro party has been going on at Aris Bar, now the entertainment hotspot of Iloilo City. Politicians, judges, doctors - professionals of all callings have rediscovered their musical roots and are jiving and dancing their cares away at Aris Bar, thanks to the music of The Moonstrucks All Stars.
One of the first, and arguably the most famous, rock and roll bands of the Philippines in the 1960s, the Moonstrucks evoke a touch of nostalgia as their music takes us back to the good old days when the peso was almost as a good as the dollar and beer costs 'tatlo piso.' Formed in 1964, The Moonstrucks was dubbed the "Beatles of the Philippines" but coolly plays with equal ease and aplomb the hits of all the other famous bands of the 60s - Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Lettermen, Spiral Staircase, The Beachboys. And, yes, The Moonstrucks too, have got soul, as they give justice to Motown - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stylistics, to name a couple.
If the name of the bands don't ring a bell, you're either a square and just not with it. Or you were probably born yesterday. But, for sure, many of the songs will strike a familiar chord - Pretty Woman, More Today than Yesterday, Twist and Shout, California Dreaming, Bus Stop, Wooly Booly, You're Sixteen, I Saw Her Standing There, I Only Have Eyes for You, and many more of the great classic hits of the '60s that are now being revived and repackaged by new artists.
The Moonstrucks is led by Toto Ealdama, an Ilonggo from Igbaras whose father used to be Congressman of the First District of Iloilo. Ealdama said The Moonstrucks were so popular in the 60s, they even have a few movies to their credit one of which - Bang Shang A Lang, starred Eddie Mesa and Helen Gamboa.
Boyet Manahan, the band's rhythm guitar player, was a leading producer for Zodiac and Dyna Records and produced the first album of our very own Aristeo Demavivas. Oca Asor is also highly regarded producer. Rounding out the band is Elmer Justalero on base, Boy Vidal on lead, and drummer Emboy Ordoña.
The Moonstrucks All Stars plays every Wednesday at RJ Guitar Bar at Jupiter Street in Makati.
In the meantime, they're still playing at Aris Bar, Café, Music (Sarabia Manor Hotel) until February 18. On Sunday, February 19, they will have a guest performance at Fort San Pedro.
(limuelcelebria@yahoo.com)