We’re still here!

That’s enough of a reason for us to be thankful during this Thanksgiving Holiday.

It really doesn’t get any easier. In fact, every month notched under Chapter 2’s belt of being together as a group is a major accomplishment in and of itself.  Challenges are pervasive from all fronts.  The economic landscape remains unpredictable, and we’re operating within a dynamic realm where gigs can dry up in a heartbeat.

But where doors have closed, new ones are reciprocally opening up for Chapter 2.   And loyal fans still clamor for Chapter 2 events as new ones continue to join the fold.  We are constantly humbled by this show of support especially during these tough economic times.

So this blog is all about giving thanks, to all our loyal fans for making Chapter 2 still a relevant and emerging force in the music and gigging landscape.  Whatever it is we have done right to deserve such support, rest assured we will continue to strive and get better at our craft, for you deserve nothing less than the very best from each and everyone of us.

Have A Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

From Chapter 2

A Special Concert for the Benefit of the SMdM CUSA Youth Complex
November 21, 2009 St. Aedan Auditorium, Jersey City NJ

Chapter 2 has made it a part of our strategic goals to try and give back, in whatever way we can, to the community that has consistently supported us with their belief and patronage through the years. Which is why as much as our schedule would allow, we try to participate in worthy causes and fundraisers of organizations who approach us with their entertainment needs.

The San Miguel de Mayumo, Cluster USA Organization is no exception. This is a non-profit, non-political charitable organization that aims to provide San Migueles residing in the US a venue and vehicle to effect transformation in their hometown in the Philippines, with past successful projects such as scholarship programs, B.A.T. (Build-A-Toilet) campaign in various public schools, computer drive, water pump project, and much much more.

When Vice President Ana Jimenez (someone we’re also proud to call a dear friend) approached us with their 2009 fundraiser project idea, there was simply no way Chapter 2 could say no to this worthy endeavor that her organization has set out to accomplish.

Chapter 2 is honored to be part San Miguel de Mayumo’s 2009 fundraiser project, and we congratulate and commend each and everyone in the organization for all your efforts in giving back to the community. More power!

Martin Nievera Concert in Minneapolis
Minneapolis Convention Center, July 18, 2009

It was an exhausting weekend, highlighted by a 24-hr work day that started at 3 am Saturday morning, when we had to wake up early to catch our 6 am flight from Newark to Minneapolis, and ended at around  3 am the next day when we happily dropped our worned out bodies and tired minds into the inviting beds in our respective hotel rooms.  But it was well worth it in the end, as we notched another backup gig (our 3rd officially) for Concert King Martin Nievera into the annals of past Chapter 2 musical performances.

In a city currently speckled with street excavations and road closures seemingly around every corner, and a day that was bereft of your typical sunny summer’s day disposition due to the cold gloomy weather, this event will be remembered for the warmth and hospitality of the people of Minneapolis who came out close to a thousand strong to watch a consumate entertainer in his element, and at the same time, to support a worthy cause that was the underlying premise and purpose of this entire project.

Throughout the entire show, the very appreciative audience was treated to a performance that was typical of an entertainer who always  puts everything on the line every time he steps on stage.  From his sharp wit, comic timing, and of course, THE VOICE – this was a Martin Nievera performance that was both vintage and fresh at the same time.  And we were there for the ride – from sound check in the afternoon, when Musical Director Lorrie Ilustre and his outstanding Las Vegas band took the reigns and showed how a performer of Martin Nievera’s calibre, when backed up by an equally professional and tight-knit group of amazing musicians, always equate to beautiful music every single time.  The 2-hour show simply flew by just like that, as ballads flowed ever-so-smoothly to upbeat medleys, soaring Broadway melodies, and of course, the much anticpated original hits of this world class entertainer.

What’s truly remarkable about Martin is the conviction of the performer to be there for his audience, beyond the call of duty, even after the stage lights have already faded and the concert has officially ended, something his many fans can indeed attest to.  There is no personality metamorphosis – the Martin Nievera you see on stage is the same one you’ll encounter off it – probably one of the main reasons (one among many) why Martin is so beloved by his fans, and by those who’ve had the pleasure of working with him on a professional level.

For Chapter 2, even after this 3rd go-around, it never gets old.  And we can only count our blessings at the opportunity to be in the company of such incredibly talanted musicians, and one marvelous entertainer in the person of Martin Nievera.

Thanks to the people of Minneapolis who came out to watch Martin’s show for the benefit of the Philippine Center Of Minnesota and the Gawad Kalinga,  and to the new friends we have encountered on this latest journey (you know who you are),  for giving us a weekend in Minnesota we’ll be remembering for a long, long time.

__________________________

Bonus Video – MARTIN NIEVERA talks about Chapter 2 (just having a little fun)

Hello Chapter 2 Fans!

After a bit of a hiatus during the months of April and May to recuperate from the whirlwind of activity that came to pass from the tailend of 2008 and carried over to the first half of 2009, Chapter 2 is back in full swing and gearing up for second half of the year. 

(Actually, our self-imposed “time-off” still involved a few private gigs like weddings and the SMPAA Bandfest Fundraiser, and Chapter 2 vocalist Dennis Sy guested in Ellen & Kats’ “Acoustic Hues” show @ Wuzz Up Cafe last June 19.)

Chapter 2’s gigging schedule heats up during the month of July, starting on July 10, Friday, 9pm, with our regular gig at the Bogart’s Lounge Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin, NJ.

Less than 24 hours later, Chapter 2 will front-act for Legendary Pinoy Rocker Mike Hanopol on July 11, Saturday, 8pm in his show at Bistro Filipino in Richmond Hills, NY.

On July 18, Saturday, the Chapter 2 vocalists take flight to Minneapolis to join Concert King Martin Nievera for his show at the Minneapolis Convention Center, together with Musical Director Lorrie Ilustre and his band.

On July 25th, Saturday, Chapter 2 goes back to the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Lobby Lounge in Staten Island, NY for a return engagement.

Finally, on August 1, Saturday, Chapter 2 headlines at Bistro Filipino for the very 1st time.

More projects are currently being discussed as we work out our gigging schedules for the remainder of the 2009, including a Fundraiser Event for the San Miguel De Mayumo Organization, and a sequel to the successful “Acoustic Hues” show, this time featuring Jan Paraiso and Dennis Sy. 

These are definitely exciting times as we gear up for our upcoming shows, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Take care always.

From Chapter 2.

March 21, 2009

The Hilton Garden Inn Lobby Lounge in Staten Island NY exudes elegance, coziness, and the somewhat veiled electricity of a dance club awaiting release at just the right moment, all within the same vein. It’s like the venue was specifically designed to cater to the typical weekend sojourners either searching for a lounge-type ambiance for friendly conversations and a couple rounds of their favorite drinks, or maybe for on an ample-sized dance floor with just the right live band providing musical entertainment to dance their cares away to, or BOTH. Last Saturday, Chapter 2 was that band.

It was a gig tailor-made for Chapter 2, as we went through our plethora of material to provide music to slow dance to, gyrate on the dance floor to, or simply to sit back and lounge to when the call for a momentary respite beckoned.  

It was our first foray into this ultra-chic, classy venue in Staten Island, and as no two gigs are ever exactly alike, there was a feeling out process, a dynamic interaction between performer and audience that kept us alert and honed in on the type of musical entertainment that was called for as the night wore on.

In the end it was another opportunity for us to showcase the Chapter 2 sound to an entirely new audience, and judging from the crowd reaction and the post performance inquiries on when we’ll be coming back, it was gratifying to note that we’ve probably gained some new fans along the way.

Our sincere thanks to our group of loyal fans who made the trek to Staten Island to catch our performance last Saturday.  And to all the folks at the Hilton Garden Inn, for their hospitality, and for giving us the opportunity to bring our brand of musical entertainment to this prestigious venue.

Til next time

March 1, 2009 – Wuzz Up Cafe, Bergenfield, NJ

Photo courtesy of Michael Violago (http://michael.violago.net)

You probably won’t see anything related to the subject matter of this particular blog reported nor published anywhere else, for the simple fact that the Main Act for which this show was being produced, due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately was a no show that evening. But I’m jumping ahead of myself here.

This gig was supposed to headline the “Philippines’ premier power vocal trio” PRIMO, with guest appearances by singer/songwriter Alfa, PAFCOM’s Pinoy Idol winner Robertino Lim, and finally the Chapter 2 Band.

Chapter 2 had been told to prepare 4 numbers for this show, as a front-act to the main event. Given that this was a production of the very respected tandem of Dr. Ramon and Ching Legarda of Group Ole Productions, it can safely be assumed that under normal circumstances, media coverage and audience attendance for this event should be “respectable”.

As it turned out, that day was far from being “normal” for any show producer to begin with. A snow storm was expected to hit the tri-state area starting at around 9 pm that evening, with snowfall predicted to be in the 8-12 inches range. Couple that with the arrangement that the main act will be flying in (from Texas if I’m not mistaken) on the day of the show itself, and we have the potential for a “perfect storm” hitting this production from all fronts.

Credit should be given where credit is due though, as the Legarda’s showed the fortitude that had made them one of the most successful concert producers within the Fil-Am community, with their decision to continue with the production despite the circumstances.

Chapter 2 arrived at the venue at around 4 pm for equipment setup and sound check, with show time slated to begin at 6:30 pm. I guess the early start time was decided upon by the producers, taking into account the impending snow storm. The sky was deceptively clear at that time, though radio announcers were warning listeners not to be fooled by the calm – SNOW WAS DEFINITELY ON THE HORIZON.

It was at around 5 pm that we were given the unexpected news by Tita Ching – PRIMO had missed their connecting flight in Atlanta, and will not be able to make to NJ at all that day. After a brief pause, this was followed by “You’ll be the Main Act tonight.”

It was kismet that we had decided to accept this gig as a full band, in lieu of an acoustic configuration. Being a full ensemble allowed us to confidently address this sudden change of “requirements”. Though all of us were feeling exhausted from a previous night’s gig at Bogart’s, where we normally do three 45-minute sets, there was a deep sense of calm and confidence among the band members that we would be able to come up with a great show that night, and that the audience were in for a very pleasant surprise. When the show simply had to go on, Chapter 2 was proud to say that we were up to the task of making that come to fruition.

To the folks who braved the anticipated onslaught of snow that evening, and to those who despite being informed at the last minute that the original headliner won’t be able to make it to our snowbound state and yet still made the decision to stay behind for a night of musical entertainment to be rendered by talented local artists, they were treated to the sauve baritone of Robertino Lim, the introspective acoustic originals of Alfa, and the musical performance of impromptu-headliner-of-the-evening Chapter 2.

As it feels awkward for us to do a review of our performance that evening, we end this blog with the producer’s very own words on what Chapter 2 was able to bring to the table the night PRIMO wasn’t able to come to town:

“Hi Dennis ,Cutuy and co.

Hope you all survived the snowstorm.Tito Mon and I would like to thank you all for your excellent performance last Sunday and most of all for your professionalism . You are all highly commendable and wish you many more your way-You all deserve the best.

Thank you very much and see you around.

WArm regards.

Happy Spring!”

t. CHing”

In our case, it’s the answer to the question “What’s  Next?”   It’s a forward looking disposition, a rebirth, a do-over, an underlying premise that whatever’s happened in the past, we are still around.

Chapter 2 represents for each one of us the next stage in our development as individual musical artists, and as a group.  We all have our own musical pasts, and in coming together we have discovered how we can be better collectively than we can be on our own. 

We’ve often been asked Why Chapter 2?  I guess it’s simply the right name at the right time for us, as we evaluated what may have not worked for us in the past, and continued to muddle through the pains and the challenges in search of some sort of musical salvation, only to find out salvation was simply in the process of moving forward, of not quitting, of growing and learning from every experience along the way.

We take the name to heart in the realization and conviction that there’s always going to be a ‘next chapter” for us.  No matter how many doors have been slammed in our faces, new ones will always present themselves just around the corner.  And we’ll break down the doors that have been closed to us through, sheer determination and continued growth on our part.

We understand what it feels like not to be a part of the “privileged few”, the ones blessed with an undeniable and innate talent and a pre-defined aesthetic quality destined for success.  On the other hand, we also understand what can likewise be achieved through a stubborn belief that as long as one does not quit, any dream can be reached. 

You don’t have to be borne with it.  You just need the conviction to cultivate it, despite the odds.  We truly believe that within each and every one of us, whatever’s been written in the past, lays the potential for a better chapter.

So what’s in a name?  Hmmm…stick around and see what happens next 

Photo courtesy of Michael Violago (http://michael.violago.net)

As much as we set specific goals for ourselves as a band, it’s really been all about the journey, and not an absolute destination, that has defined us as artists, as musicians, as a group.

Throughout the years that we have been together as Chapter 2, we’ve faced different sorts of challenges, ever-changing flavors of issues that have tested our resolve, our commitment to stick to pre-defined principles. And as the group evolved, so did the nature of challenges we had to face. Past solutions quickly became obsolete as the paradigm seemed to shift endlessly. And truth be told, the more the friendship between the band members deepened, the more difficult it became to maintain objectivity in dealing with such issues.

The fact that we’re all friends made the process of resolving problems a whole lot more cumbersome. The thin line between professionalism and friendship was constantly blurred. It would have been so much easier to merely look at a situation objectively, and be able to draw upon a set list of LOGICAL solutions without having to take into account people’s feelings or how they would react.

With friendship there are just too many grey areas, where the approach varies case by case: sometimes it’s a lengthy process of simply talking it out; at other times a “tough love” approach is warranted. With personalities as complicated and as fickle as the movement of the tides, an approach that had worked before doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it’ll work again given the same set of circumstances.

And we’re only talking about internal issues here. Factor in challenges brought about by external forces, and you have quite a convoluted situation potentially brewing at every corner.

All these have forced Chapter 2 to continually evolve with the ever-changing face of adversity. And throughout this “evolution” we had discovered a constant that had helped us weather through a lot of major storms – and that was a genuine respect for each other’s point of views, a willingness to set aside one’s ego, and to make sacrifices for the good of the group. It’s an acceptance that things are never going to be perfect, but that we could still appreciate the journey together as a family, adjusting along the way as we throw away the playbook and simply live day to day, dealing with whatever life brings.  How ironic is it that we find ourselves coping with evolution by remaining true to ourselves.

I admit there are days when I wish there was an “easier” way to deal with all the issues that confront Chapter 2.  But at the end of the day, when all is said and done, I’m guessing it’d be better to be valued for your friendship than all the musical accolades and recognition you may have managed to achieve in your lifetime.  Still, everyday’s a struggle.

Welcome to Chapter 2’s monthly updates for February and March 2009.

No doubt everybody’s feeling the pinch of an economic downturn.  Now more than ever we need classy, quality entertainment without having to break the bank, and that’s what Chapter 2 has always strived to deliver.

The band has been fortunate, with the support of venues that believe in our ability to provide such entertainment, to continue with our regular gigs at Bogart’s Lounge Hilton Woodbridge, and of course, at Perlas Ng Silangan Bar & Restaurant.  Please check out our complete show schedule here.

Special mention goes to our upcoming show on March 1, performing with the Philippines’ premier power vocal trio – PRIMO, in their first live concert here in the east coast.  It will be held at Wuzz Up Cafe in Bergenfield, NJ.  Please call the numbers included in the flyer below for ticket information.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support of Chapter 2, and we hope to catch you at one of our upcoming shows soon.

Take care always.

-Chapter 2 Band