At the Metrowalk complex in Ortigas Center, Pasig, is a bar called The Music Hall where the band Crib performs. Composed of bassist Mark Decena, saxophonist Rancis De Leon, drummer Bogs Bautista, vocalist TJ Sarvida, guitarist Edward Enriquez, and keyboardist/vocalist Mike Caleda, Crib plays refreshing versions of foreign and local pop hits, as well as an interesting original.
A sample of its repertoire: “Tender Love,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “This Is It,” “You’re the Only Woman,” “I’ll Be Over You,” “Sana Kahit Minsan,” “Gusto Kita,” “Ikaw Lang,” “Tunay Na Ligaya,” and an original, “Ibang Araw na Lang.”
What makes Crib stand out from the usual cover bands is the vibrancy of its sound—De Leon’s sax, Enriquez’s guitar, and Caleda’s keyboards and vocals infusing more life to an otherwise lame pop tune.
The night I caught the band’s gig at The Music Hall, some of the members’ friends—the Black Cows’ Pido Lalimarmo, Bolichie Suzara, and Gibson Viduya—jammed on a couple of numbers, including “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “Let’s Stay Together” with Thor Dulay on vocals.
The Music Hall, Ground Floor, Metrowalk Commercial Complex, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City; tel. nos. 09266429114 or 4511786
Bonfire Grill
Bonfire Grill is a bar and restaurant at Riverbanks in Marikina that also features live gigs. But the band can sound so loud that makes talking with your companions difficult.
Fortunately, the place, incidentally owned by my high school classmate Bob Robles, has a second floor where the noise is somehow diffused and which offers a relaxing view of the Marikina River.
The night I visited Bonfire with three other high school classmates, Ed Lorenzo, Mike Mendoza and Neil Santo Tomas, we had such a good time that we stayed till 4 a.m.
Bonfire Grill, Riverbanks Center, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Barangka, Marikina City
Heaven’s Barbecue
Heaven’s Barbecue is a 24-hour eatery in Bonifacio Global City that has outlasted many clubs, bars, and other dining places in the area. Reason is that it serves comfort food with consistency and quality.
Order the pork or chicken barbecue with ice-cold beer and you won’t feel the need to go anywhere else.
Heaven’s Barbecue, 7th Ave. BGC, Taguig; tel. 5192070