MANILA, Philippines - Thirty rock legends, spanning three generations, starred at the much-awaited Tanduay Rhum Rock Fest 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds last Oct. 14.
Over 80,000 music fans trooped to the venue, with SM officials claiming this was the biggest turnout they had seen for any Filipino or foreign concert. (The event was also sponsored by Cherry Mobile, No Fear, Pony footwear with media partners Jam 88.3, GMA 7, The Philippine Star, Myx and Pulp Magazine.)
Opening the concert, which ran from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. the next morning, was First Five stalwart Sandwich that kicked off the night by resurrecting Dong Abay of Yano.
The Tanduay Rhum Rock Fest featured multiple LED screens across the venue, a state-of-the-art sound system and overwhelming pyrotechnics that featured firework displays off and onstage all throughout the night. It was also clear that Philippine-made was truly world-class.
Leading the charge for the event was Rico Blanco, who wrote the song Ngayon that became the official anthem of the Tanduay Rhum Rockfest Year 5. It also provided the soundtrack for a landmark alliance with the OPM organization. Only Tanduay’s muscle could have pulled off this coup that united for the first time the pop solo artists with Pinoy rock, known not just for their fierce support of Original Pilipino Music as much as their rugged individualism. Joining Tanduay in a toast that united the Filipino music industry under one banner were Tanduay’s top officials Andres Co, SVP for sales and marketing and Robert Tee, VP for sales and marketing and Paul Lim, advertising manager; as well as OPM chairperson OgieAlcasid, Secretary DingdongAvanzado and board member Noel Cabangon, alongside MediaCom business unit manager Gladys Basinillo from the advertising agency.
Highlights of the evening included a comeback performance by Bamboo, accompanied by a 16-piece, mini-orchestra, his first public appearance since the breakup of the multi-platinum group with the same name.
Also memorable were performances by Sampaguita, The Dawn, Paco Arespacochaga (who was flown in for the occasion), Hungry Young Poets, The Youth, OrientPearl and Ebe Dancel (his first major event as a solo artist) with young turks Urbandub, Franco and Typecast.
The Tanduay First Five were not to be outdone, with Kamikazee staging a rollicking launch of its latest album, Romantiko, complete with theatrical rockstar costumes.