Elvisaya in New York (Last of three parts)

 After a three-hour flight from Nashville and another four-hour lay over in Charlotte, North Carolina, we were back in Los Angeles.  Again, just when I thought I could rest for a day, my brother Joey dropped by and announced we were headed for  Universal Studios in Hollywood.  In no time we were touring the park and enjoyed the Transformer and  Jurasic Park rides while watching the Waterworld show.  We also joined the studio tour that included King Kong and Jaws, while posing with Shrek, Frankenstein and Beetlejuice.  The next day, I was off to New York City.  Even when I was in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport waiting for the start of my American sojourn, I was informed by my brother-in-law Alex Espiritu that their band the Inner Circle, composed of Filipinos and headed by Cebuano Joe Custudio, had arranged a mini concert at Manny’s Resto Bar, a Filipino restaurant located in Queens, New York City.  I was met by Dr. Jun at the JFK Airport and whisked me to upscale Greenwich Villlage where we had coffee at Jack’s.  After taking a glimpse of Manhattan at nightfall, we were at Jun’s apartment in the Bronx.  Dr. Jun made me an itinerary for my two weeks stay in the Big Apple.  The next day after going around Yonkers, I found myself at the Phantom of the Opera in Broadway.  After the show, we went around Rockefeller Center and Times Square where the lights coming from giant led ads, were simply fantastic.  The following day, it was Alex’ turn to show me around.  We traveled to Staten Island and marvel at the Statue of Liberty and on the way back, I ran a few meters on the Brooklyn Bridge and ended our day’s journey at the iconic Empire State Building.  We also dropped by at Ground Zero where the Twin Towers used to stand.  The next two days, we covered the museums and other sites including Guggenheim, American Museum of Natural History, Wall Street, St. Patricks’ Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, New York Library and finally, Central Park, where  I visited the New York Road Runners Club headquarters.  Aileen Parkinson, who’s in charged of the office was thrilled when I told  her I’m a race organizer back in the Philippines and gave me two NYRRC  t-shirts and even offered to give me a special race bib to the  New York City Marathon.  I told her I’m leaving two days before the big day but that I could run the 5K Breast Cancer race set that weekend.  So that Sunday,  I ran the 5K at Central Park where I got to see the statue of Fred Lebow, founder of the NYC Marathon and Strawberry Fields where the “Imagine” mosaic is located.  Across Central Park, I had a photo taken at the entrance of Dakota Mansion where John Lennon was shot.  It was Noel Bacquiran’s turn to accompany me.  Noel is Jun’s roomate.   We boarded the subway train (we, always travel via subway train as it’s just impossible to park in Manhattan) and headed for Chinatown for the shopping.

Elvisaya in concert

As I mentioned earlier, Joe Custudio already announced to the Fil-Am community in Queens that the Elvis of the Visayas is  performing at Manny’s Resto Bar.  Joe and Alex also gave me a new monicker Elvisaya for “ Elvis Bisaya”.   I had a little problem when Joe said I’m performing in Manny’s as I left my Elvis jumpsuit in Cebu.  I told him I’ll just wear a leather jacket since I  brought along my Elvis glasses and sideburns.  But Jun said there would be  something lacking if I don’t wear a jumpsuit.  So we scouted the costume shops in Manhattan and viola, we found an Elvis suit.  The rent, however, was $100 and another $100 deposit to ensure that we return it in good condition.  So the stage was set and the night before the concert,  I met the other members of the band for a rehearsal at Joe’s basement.  Bob Valdez is the teriffic drummer, Dave Dineros on keyboard, Alex Espiritu on bass and of course, bandleader and guitarist Joe Custudio.  Two lady vocalist complete the band, Tuesday Coronel and Weng Menoria, who hails from Bantayan, Cebu.  Manny’s Resto Bar  was filled that Saturday evening with all seats taken.  The place is a favorite hangout of  Filipinos and has the distinction of getting a visit from Martin Nievera and Ai Ai De Las Alas.   Elvisaya rendered the classics “ Hound Dog”, “ Blue Suede Shoes”, Don’t Be Cruel”, “Love Me Tender”, “Teddy Bear” and “ Jailhouse Rock”.  The crowd kept on asking for more but we only rehearsed about  10 songs.  My cousins from IloIlo, now based in New York also came.  With the success, Joe said we will have to look for  a bigger venue next time.  Well, it was one hell of a journey.  I would like to thank my siblings and friends for making this trip, really unforgettable.  “ Damo gid nga salamat”.