This happens only once in a rare while. Noel Cabangon and Rom Dongeto, former bandmates in Buklod, will stage a reunion gig on April 6, at Conspiracy Garden Café.
Back in the mid-’80s, Buklod was one of a number of local bands playing music about social issues with engaging lyrics and arrangements. Two of Buklod’s original compositions, now Filipino alternative music classics, are “Kanlungan” and “Tatsulok.”
“Kanlungan,” later used in a McDonald’s TV commercial, and “Tatsulok,” covered by Bamboo in one of its albums, were both written by Dongeto.
Cabangon went on to pursue a successful solo career as a singer-songwriter.
To perform with them at Conspiracy is another original Buklod member, Rene Boncocan, along with Joey Maurillo and Glen Torres.
Conspiracy Garden Café,
59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City; tel. no. 4532170; log on: facebook.com/pg/
conspiracy.garden.cafe
150 Maginhawa Food Park
Not far from Conspiracy, in Teachers Village, is the famous Maginhawa Street food row. The only drawback for those on a night out in Maginhawa is that bars are few and far between.
But the good news is, a newly opened section, 150 Maginhawa Food Park, has Cellar 150, a wine bar that offers a good selection of reds, whites and beers.
On a Tuesday night, the place draws a sizeable crowd of young families and college kids enjoying the variety of Asian and Western dishes in 13 food stalls.
We try out the sizzling sisig (P220) in The Piggery and grilled blue marlin (P160, 200 grams) in Ahlee’s. Both taste fine, especially the fish, which goes well with the 2013 Syrah Grenache and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (P590 each) of Michel Lhuillier’s own wine brand made in France.
Next time we want to check out Balay Bagnet, Wings Gone Wild and Shou Hand-Pulled Noodles.
150 Maginhawa Food Park, 150 Maginahawa St. Teachers Village, Quezon City. Open Mon-Thu/Sun., 3 p.m.-12 midnight; Fri-Sat, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
Fifth Harmony at MOA Arena
More hot gigs: American girl group Fifth Harmony, April 5, Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.
Formed on season 2 of “The X Factor US” in July 2012, the group’s original members included Ally Brooke, Normani Kordei, Dinah Jane, Lauren Jauregui and Camila Cabello, who left in 2016.
The group’s 2015 debut album, “Reflection,” debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and went gold on the strength of the platinum singles “Boss,” “Sledgehammer” and “Worth It.”
“Work from Home,” a track from its second album 7/27 (2016), became the group’s first top 10 single on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The concert’s opening act is Fil-Am group Filharmonic.
SM Tickets, tel. no. 4702222; log on: smtickets.com
‘Smoking Joint Session’
“The Smoking Joint Session” features Mon Espia, Wowee Posadas, Ike Dyliaco, Richie Ramos and Tony Fernando on April 1 at The Smoking Joint, a southern style barbecue place which has recently moved to Green Sun in Makati.
Come early for its happy hour “Sunset Special 420 Hits” featuring DJ Abdel Aziz, 4:20 p.m. to 9 p.m., on March 30 and April 6.
The Smoking Joint,
Green Sun, 2285
Chino Roces Ave., Makati
