MY SUMMER CONCERTS

It's summertime here. Time to relax on the patio chair listening to my CD player. Savoring the light breeze and chirping of birds and looking up the near perfect blue skies. And spending lazy afternoon hours with Nette and starting a barbecue later in the night. What else can make my summers here enjoyable and memorable? And that would be going to one or two city concerts they hold here for free. They call it concerts at the park offered for the families in the neighborhood. The last one we attended was a jazz concerts by a local band. I have always remembered my summers with songs. Songs that have accompanied the joy and heartaches of my life.

I remember my summer when I was a little boy my mother would bribe with chocolate or money if I dance the tune "Five Foot Two". I would even attempted to sing, though not often for I was a very shy. But, I've always admire and love Mommy when she sings. Then when I was in grade school, our community would hold a party showcasing the different families who lived there by performing a number. She chose for us and my brothers to sing Carpenters' "Top of the World" and my Mom's favorite song. And I think we won a prize, although I'm not sure now, but what I know it was a "hard" song to sing, what with her doing the second voice. And that would have been my likeness for singing and songs that carried thru my college days and the present.

In my varsity days, I have attended Blood, Sweat and Tears concert at the Araneta Coliseum, even though I could only afford a general admission seat, so far away from the stage I couldn't see the singers' faces. Binoculars wasn't used then. Or even though now I can't remember their songs. But, I do remember the music of Deodato, like "Odyssey Space 2001" and " Spratsaratusta" or something. I even bought their LP (Long Playing) record which I played in our enormous Pioneer stereo system and speakers! The other concert that MADE my summer was Angela Bofill's "Angelita" (Angel Of The Morning), both of them again at the Araneta Coliseum.

In my junior year, I was discovering jazz music that I saw Lito Molina's, a saxophonist, at the Goethe House, a German cultural venue showing experimental film, music and paintings, in Espana Extension. And would you believe Lito was one of my father's classmates at UST (University of Santo Tomas) where i also graduated. Boy was he as good as Dave Grusin when he plays "Take Five" among other tunes which is now still popular.

And who would beat my love and fondnest of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) popularized by three Ateneo college students, Danny, Jim and Buboy, collectively known as the APO Hiking Society. Although I didn't see them perform LIVE, I've followed their careers for years. Songs and singers have again enliven and engrossed my summer this year. I'll write about them next.