Ramon Jacinto, “RJ” to at least three generations of rock ‘n’ roll fans, is turning 70 on June 3. It’s hard to imagine that he’s about to become a septuagenarian because he seems to be always up and about, still playing music.
His legacy is secure—a multitude of kids in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s grew up listening to two of his radio stations, DZRJ AM and FM, whose DJs then took their jobs seriously with passion and commitment.
The popularity of DZRJ is synonymous with the birth of Pinoy rock, whose leading lights are, like RJ himself, still alive and kicking.
And so, to celebrate the milestone of turning 70, RJ will do what he loves most: play rock ‘n’ roll in a concert dubbed “Icons of Pinoy Rock” on June 6 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, along with Joey “Pepe” Smith, Ely Buendia, Razorback, Brat Pack, The Sauce, and special guests Resty Fabunan, Raimund Marasigan, Basti Artadi and Marc Abaya.
Ynares Sports Arena, Old Capitol Compound, Shaw Blvd., Pasig. SM Tickets tel. 4702222; Ticketnet tel. 9115555
Hottest club
On our second visit to Valkyrie recently, the nightclub was bursting at the seams at 2 a.m. with party people—many in their 20s, wide-eyed with excitement, their hands waving in the air and bodies swaying to EDM.
Apparently Valkyrie is the hottest club of the moment, considering its size (big enough to accommodate some 2,000 people) and prestige (operated by the same owners of Republiq, Prive, 71 Gramercy, among others).
Beside Valkyrie is The Palace Pool Club, whose urban resort concept seems tailor-fit to the increasingly hot weather in the city. There are two big swimming pools, a bar, and a stage for the DJ.
On the same night of our Valkyrie visit, The Palace Pool Club was like a Boracay resort full of local and foreign tourists enjoying night swimming and grooving to EDM.
A few individuals and couples were dancing with erotic moves; the rest looked oblivious, more focused on bonding with their friends while sipping their drinks.
Outside the Palace complex, a guy was seen carrying a young woman from Valkyrie who seemed wasted from having too many drinks.
In time she should learn her lesson.
Valkyrie and The Palace Pool Club, Uptown Bonifacio, 9th Ave. cor. 36th St. BGC
Zen vibe
We’ve been wanting to check out Buddha Bar in Makati because of its imposing facade. Finally we made our first visit a few hours before proceeding to Valkyrie.
The muted red motif interiors exuded elegance and style—something we imagined could pass for a ritzy restaurant in Shanghai, with a Zen vibe emitting from a huge Buddha statue suspended on the second floor.
But the serene ambiance was broken by loud EDM, which seemed inappropriate since the place looked like it caters to the baby boomer market.
Fortunately the DJ toned it down by playing chill-out music.
Be ready to spend if you’re dining. But we had a heavy dinner elsewhere, so we settled for a few San Miguel Pale Pilsens at P180 per bottle and a basket of chips that cost P330.
Buddha Bar, Kalayaan Ave., Makati; tel. 2469069 ext. 109
Heavy, garlicky dinner
Our heavy dinner, by the way, was courtesy of the newly renovated Krazy Garlik restaurant at Greenbelt 5.
We’ve also been wanting to check out its branch in Alabang Town Center since we’re practically addicted to garlic—enjoying its pungent flavor as an essential ingredient in Pancit Malabon or as condiment on congee.
At Krazy Garlik, most of the dishes are soaked in cloves upon cloves of garlic marinade. We were salivating as the food arrived: Imperial Spring Roll, Asian Chicken Salad, Tuna Belly, Smoked Fish Fried Rice, 30 Kloves T-Bone, and its signature dish, 40 Kloves Chicken.
We were wise enough to take just a few bites of every dish; the tuna and chicken were standouts due to the tangy kick of garlic.
It’s healthy, of course, as moms have told their children. In fact, garlic is referred to as a “wonder drug,” owing to its many benefits, especially as antidote to high blood pressure.
Krazy Garlik, 2/F, Greenbelt 5, Makati; tel. 5013752. For other branches, visit krazygarlik.com.ph
