If you play, they will come!

It’s drizzling outside and traffic is very bad around the Eastwood City Walk, but who cares? Inside the cozy Amoeba Music Recall (at G3 Fuente Circle of the Eastwood City Walk in Libis, Quezon City), Flintstones & The Gang is playing songs from the ’60s and the ’70s and that’s all that matters.

Amoeba co-owner Vivian Sarabia (the lady who fits beautiful stars with beautiful glasses) is right. "There’s an audience for ’60s and ’70s music." Co-owner Mon Arroyo agrees, looking around the place with every table occupied. "And they’re not only Baby Boomers," says Mon. He’s right, too. Half of the crowd comes from Gen X and they’re enjoying to the hilt the same music their parents must have sung along with – and danced to – during their time.

Yes, if they play, music-lovers of all ages, of all shapes and sizes, will come.

Our group is taking the trip down Memory Lane with gusto. There’s Cristy Fermin, celebrity photographer Richard Chen, and Dr. Wilson Lim and his doctor-wife Lily. Nearby, Tirso Cruz III and wife Lyn Ynchausti (who’s celebrating her birthday) are waiting for the rest of the gang but engrossed meanwhile to the Flintstones sound.

The group has been attracting crowds Monday and Saturday nights since Oct. 22 when Amoeba Music Recall opened.

The guys open their first set (they do three sets each night) with a lively rendition of Peace Pipe, following it up with Up, Up and Away and Stand By Me. By the time they’re doing Monday, Monday, we’re all tapping our feet, humming along with them and basking in this welcome blast from the past, feeling euphoric in Shangrila. After My Girl and Sherry, the Flintstones asked everybody, Let’s Hang On, and we do, grooving to Funky Music and not at all feeling (Something) Stupid and, in fact, agree that, why not, You Should Be Dancing!

But first, a special request for Tirso to sing a song or two. A resounding applause from the audience.

"It’s amateur time," says Tirso before singing Cliff Richard’s Constantly, following it up with Pretty Woman (it’s a relief he doesn’t render Maria Leonora Teresa!) and he doesn’t sound like an "amateur" at all!

Back on centerstage, the Flintstones breeze through Young Girl, dovetailing into Nightlife and then to More Than a Woman. When they launch into the Beatles’ I Saw Her Standing There, I expect everybody to get on his feet and dance. Everybody is feeling shy this drizzling night, thank you.

To cap the first set, the guys sings In My Life (also by the Beatles) which happens to be the favorite of Vivian and mine, with the line some have gone and some remain never failing to touch a sensitive string in my heart and making me shed quiet tears.

Circa the ’60s, the group was known as D’Flintstones, formed by two teenage brothers and composed of friends and neighbors performing at parties and concerts. D’Flintstones was one of the pioneer combos in Manila, disbanding for a while and regrouping in 1965. By then, they were known as King of Soul among the bands in Manila, doing stints at the Third Eye, Circuit at the Hyatt Hotel, Showcase, etc., graduating to performances in US bases and in Japan.

The current batch, called Flintstones and The Gang, is composed of former members of bands like Bits n’Pieces, Sangkatutak, Rainmakers (Joseph Lansang who composed the song Binibini now used in the San Miguel commercial), Birth of the Cool, Royal Flush, GT Express, Our Father, Spirit of ’67, etc.

Before we call it a night, let’s give a round of applause to the members, namely:

• Shirley Roa (lead vocals and choreographer)

Former lead singer of First Born Child show band. Worked as session singer with various bands and concerts. Also stood as videoke host. Sang solo in different piano bars. Early musical exposure was as a choir member in high school and college.

• Tomas "Tom" Canlas (lead vocals)

Took formal voice lessons at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Sang as folksinger at Cola House, Sultana Bar at Hilton Hotel, International Pub, and Hobbit House, among others. Former bands include God’s Ego, New Electros, Legacy, Music Network and GT Express. Performed in Asia and Europe. Served as the front act for The Platters in Holland while with Music Network. Acts as an entertainment consultant to various clubs and bars.

• Joseph Lansang (lead vocals and vocal coach)

Member of the Rainmakers. Composed and arranged more than 350 songs. Performed in Italy, Canada, Australia, Middle East and major Asian cities. Record producer, musical arranger and vocal coach. Owns and operates restaurant and bar at Legend Hotel called The Rainmakers Bar. Member of renowned KATHA, an association of Filipino composers.

• Ramon "Mon" Chunaco (lead vocals)

Former groups include rock bands like our Father, The Jovials, Split Ends. Also performed with Birth Of The Cool, Axis and Hi-Fi. Recorded own album entitled Ikaw Kaibigan under Vicor in 1997. Performed in key Asian cities particularly at the various US bases in Japan. Worked as disc jockey. Currently active as studio session singer for jingles and multiplex projects. Also acts as vocal coach for multiplex

• Jun Raymundo (lead guitarist and musical director)

Former member of Bits n’ Pieces from 1967 to 1985 and the Glenmores Band in 1965. Based overseas from 1985 to 2001 in various cities like Bangkok, Korea, UAE, Singapore, etc. while performing with foreign bands. Did front act for the Supremes, Pointer Sisters, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Sheena Easton, Ike and Tina Turner, and Leif Garett. Former studio session guitarist. Class A tennis player. Served as the major musical influence of daughter and screen celebrity In Raymundo.

• Dan Reyes (MIDI guitarist, musical arranger and back-up vocals)

Former lead guitarist, musical arranger, musical director and vocal coach of Musik Asia, Channels and Human Race. Did extensive travel in major Asian cities. Former member of big bands like Iggy de Guzman Big Band during the ’60s. Owns and operates a band rehearsal studio. Currently serves as music consultant to various talent management agencies.

• Ernie Amoroso (bassist and vocals)

A member of rock ’n roll band Jollytics in 1965 and Jaybirds in 1968. Played at the Officers Club, Subic Naval Base, Olongapo City, during the ’70s and ’80s. Played as alternate band to the famous Soul Train Band. Did front act for The Ventures in Japan in 1969. Former bands include Music Network and GT Express, among others. Played in various major Asian cities and Europe.

• Manuel "Malu" Fernando (drummer and band leader)

Original Flintstones member as a featured drummer at age 8. Former member of Bits n Pieces, Sangkatutak, Advisors, Fourplay, Royal Flush, Family Birth Control, Hyperbeat, Rockin’ Revival, Emil Mijares Jazz Band and Rudy Francisco Jazz Five, among others. Former musical director and drummer of Spirit of ’67. International performances in the US, Bahamas and other Asian cities. Former session drummer in studio recordings, TV shows and live concerts with Tadao Hayashi, Pilita Corrales, Rico J. Puno, Reycard Duet, Jun Polistico and APO, etc. Took private drum lessons and clinics in the US. A development management consultant. Postgraduate degrees from AIM and NDCP. A Lieutenant Colonel in PAF (res).

(Note: For inquiries and reservations, call 726-1319 or 721-8527.)