Eight decades of life, six and a half decades of rock and roll
It was a night filled with gratitude and celebration as RJ Jacinto, a true pioneer of rock n’ roll in the Philippines, marked an impressive milestone of 80 years of life and 65 years of making music. Despite the rain pouring outside, inside the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in Makati City, the atmosphere was charged with energy and excitement. RJ shared with the audience comprising close friends, industry stalwarts, and devoted fans, “Little did I know that the pebble I threw into the pond in 1960 when I was 15 years old would become a tidal wave in influencing music in the Philippines for years to come.”
Backed by the AMP Big Band led by Mel Villena, RJ kicked off the night with his very first hit, “Weightless,” a tune he penned at the age of 15, followed by the iconic “Trip to Manila” from 1964, which became the first English rock n’ roll song in the Philippines. The tribute concert not only honored RJ’s musical journey but also showcased the talents of some of the country’s finest musicians.
Throughout the evening, guest stars added their unique flair to the performances. Sitti charmed the audience with her rendition of Gloria Estefan’s “Conga,” while Jose Mari Chan and RJ brought back the ‘60s with the romantic Italian tune “Legata Ad Un Granello di Sabbia.” Zsa Zsa Padilla electrified the stage with Chuck Berry’s classic “Back in the USA,” and Arnel Pineda moved the audience with “Unchained Melody” and pumped up the crowd with “Summer of ‘69.”
The excitement continued as Martin Nievera teamed up with RJ for stirring renditions of “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” and Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” getting everyone on their feet. The music journeyed through a rock n’ roll medley, swinging from Glenn Miller’s “In the Mood” to hits like “Rock Around the Clock,” “Shake Rattle and Roll,” and Filipino ‘50s gems such as “Hahabol-Habol” and Sylvia La Torre’s “Waray Waray,” with Zsa Zsa Padilla making a grand return for the grand finale.
The crowd, which included familiar faces like Helen Yuchengco-Dee, Tessie Sy Coson, Tony Boy Cojuangco, Raul Sunico, Alice Eduardo, and Ramon Orlina, was spotted grooving and jiving to the timeless tunes. The night ended with “Rock, Rock, Rock Everybody,” the big band still blazing, and the audience joining in by throwing up “rock” signs in the air as the theater trembled with energy. RJ’s heartfelt thank-you was a tribute to all those who have been a part of his musical voyage, turning a stormy July evening into a vibrant and resounding chapter of rock n’ roll history.