The band-music-loving people of Winnipeg’s Filipino community have really been fortunate for the past several years already. The city has been a destination of many of the Filipino homeland’s prime bands every time they would go on a North American tour to promote their music and to entertain fans and other music lovers. In the recent months alone, bands such as MYMP, Parokya ni Edgar, Siakol, and Grin Department had graced certain venues of Winnipeg to the delight of the Filipino community’s musically inclined. And the show is not yet over! A good number of other bands/artists are still set to arrive before the year ends.
Up Dharma Down
June 10, Saturday
Pyramid Cabaret
(174 Fort Street)
Most likely, by the time of release of this issue of Filipino Journal, the show of the Philippine Alternative Pop band Up Dharma Down at Pyramid Cabaret must have been done already. But to cite the band again is worthwhile; after all, Up Dharma Down is one of the most musically creative bands in the current music scene in the Philippines—the award-winning members of the band—Armi Millare (keyboards, vocals), Carlos Tañada (lead guitars, synthesizers), Ean Mayor (drums, samplers), and Paul Yap (bass, synthesizers)—were able to develop their own sound by sprinkling a bit of Jazz into their Synthpop-oriented music. To date, the quartet has released three studio albums to their band’s credit—Fragmented (2006), Bipolar (2008), and Capacities (2012)—and a new one is in the works.
The Dawn
August 12, Saturday
Pyramid Cabaret
What Rock and New Wave music–loving Filipino who was a teenager in the Philippines in the 1980s does not know who The Dawn is? Yes, one of the pioneers of the Philippines’ representative of the genre, as well as the most enduring of the lot, The Dawn will be gracing Winnipeg for the first time. The renowned “institution” of the Philippine music scene is coming to the city, to treat its fans and other enthusiasts of good ol’ entertainment with its trademark of vintage Rock/Wave music. Currently comprised by Jett Pangan (vocals), Francis Reyes (guitar), Mon Legaspi (bass), Rommel Sanchez (second guitar), and JB Leonor (drums), The 32-year-old The Dawn has a prolific eleven-album discography—from 1986’s self-titled release to 2009’s Sound the Alarm. For sure, their setlist will be steeped with their both classic and new songs—“Iisang Bangka,” “I Stand with You,” “Love (Will Set Us Free),” “Alam Ko, Alam Niyo,” “Salimpusa,” “Tulad ng Dati,” and of course, the band’s ubiquitous anthems, “Salamat” and “Enveloped Ideas.” So, what are you waiting for? Reserve your seats now for this certainly epic musical experience. Tickets: advanced, $65; at the door, $80. Contact for inquiry: 204-801-4001, 204-330-3010, and 204-955-1812.
Arnel Pineda
November 24, Friday
Club Regent Casino Event Centre
And who would not know Arnel Pineda—Philippines’ very own music pride? Well, Pineda deserves the accolades—more so because he has become the heir to the vocal throne of the classic Rock band Journey—such a royal role to assume, considering that his predecessor, the band’s previous lead vocalist, the beloved Steve Perry, is a royalty in the international music scene. But Pineda proved his worth a long time ago, an accomplishment that even Perry acknowledged recently during his acceptance speech at the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Besides, in fairness with his own career trajectory, Pineda worked very hard for wherever his path had eventually led him. He started his love for singing early on, sharing his talent with people and joining bands and writing his own music as early as the 1980s, until he was discovered by Journey—and, as we say, the rest is musical history. So, without further ado, let’s recognize and celebrate Pineda’s contribution to Filipino music, arts, and culture. Support his own music and his musical endeavors. Under his own name, he has released two studio albums—1999’s self-titled and 2016’s AP. Buy your tickets now to his upcoming solo concert. Tickets at $75/100/150(VIP). Contact Ardie Gervacio: 204-227-9348.
