His name is Jacci Rocha

In this YS exclusive, the larger-than-life frontman tells us who he is, really.

Jacci Rocha has been called many things. He’s been a charismatic front man, an intellectual manqué, an artiste, a “sonavabitch,” a charlatan, and perhaps a true rock n’ roll animal—depending on who you ask. Although much has been made about his resemblance to popular actor Diether Ocampo, he rather reminds more of legendary NU rock jock Pontri in person. He’s affable but hardly down-to-earth. This is a guy who knows his place in rock music. If anything, he does seem to embody the muscular (if derivative) rock music of his band, Baron Munchaüsen, as to be its living embodiment, for good and for worse.

Actually, it’s only appropriate that he’s in Quark Henares’ Rakenrol, played by albeit (who else?) Diether Ocampo, which opens in cinemas on Sept. 21. The movie itself is just a lovely piece of cinema that no one who loves Pinoy rock should miss. It might also be one of those most heartfelt tributes to an era that is sadly gone but whose influence is still very much felt today.

Before the movie opens, we decided to catch up with Rocha, who reportedly has misgivings about his portrayal in the film and refuses to comment on it directly, and asked him to set the record straight.

Your name’s pretty unique. What’s your family lineage?

It’s Spanish, can’t you tell?! (laughs) Oh Erwin. Erwin, Erwin, Erwin. I am a big fan. (lunges forward for a hug) Big fan po. I feel like I can tell you anything! I remember your old column in YoungStar, “Ketchup Please Luis.” What a hoot and a holla. But seriously, in all honesty, I’m 1/16th German, 1/16th Spanish, 1/8th Japanese, 1/8th Chinese, 1/4th American, 1/2Filipino and 110% Rakenrol, pare.

What inspires you to make music?

Everything. Just the other day I saw a little girl selling sampaguita on the street. I felt her pain, through the glass window. And it affected me. It affected me so. Right there and then, at the stoplight, I wrote a song called Oh Batang Babae Kung Pwede Lang Magpalit (Tayo ng Buhay). I’m also working on a song now called Traffic Nanaman sa Edsa, Recognize! which is about the struggles we go through on this highway called life.

Do you consider yourself a musician or an artist?

Is there a difference, really? All music art, all art is music. Music... or as I call it, “Musika,” is the art of the earlobes. You know how you’ll hear a band and think, “Oh I know their influences”? Not Jacci Rocha. Baron Munchaüsen is inspired by all forms of art. Socrates, the cinema of Brocka and Bernal, the Zydowska Organizacia Bojowa’s edicts, you name it. Right now we’re thinking of doing a concept album based on the bagay poetry movement from the 60s. That’s why we’re the creme de la crop, Erwin.

Mr. MOMOL: “Lothario… Yeah. Um. What’s that word again?”

Humor me a bit and take us through your process of writing music.

Oh, man, I don’t know where to start. Sometimes I just count the beats of my heart, and add melody to it. Sometimes I cry from the deepest recesses of my soul, and the song just writes itself. I have demons, Erwin, and when I close my eyes I can hear them whisper. And those words, they become my lyrics. It’s a very complicated process.

What do you like most about being in a rock n’ roll band?

Just the... the... how do you say this. Ambiance? No. More like... ether. The being. The being of being in a rock n’ roll band. The brotherhood. My brothers-in-arms are my band. You know? We’re like a band of brothers. Going through battle. Arm in arm. Kapit-bisig po, if you get what I’m talking. I mean, Bogs, Sven, Arnold (i.e. Bogs Jugo, Sven de Leon, and Harold Soon, his bandmates in Baron Munchausen.) They’re my long lost family, and now we’ve found each other. The family of rock.

What do you like least about it?

The attention. Sometimes I feel like the main character in a Shakespearean tragedy. I’m like, guys naman, just let me do my music! The ladies, they throw themselves at me constantly but I just want to be in peace. Alam mo, when all is said and done, I’m just a guy with a guitar. In the woods.

You’re reputed to be quite a lothario, how do you tell a girl that it’s over?

Lothario… Yeah. Um. What’s that word again?

A guy who sleeps around. A player.

Woah! (laughs) You ha. Throwing complicated words in order to deceive me. You’re a trickster, Erwin, that’s what you are. I’m not a lothario! I love women. I treat them right. Then I write songs about them. Women are the most delicate, beautiful things in God’s given Earth. They’re meant to be revered, worshipped. Believe it or not, I’ve never broken up with a woman in my life. NEVER.

What is your ultimate rock ‘n’ roll moment?

Coming out of my mother’s vagina into a world not ready for Jacci Rocha. Nothing more Rakenrol than life itself, brother.

How will you be remembered in rock history?

As the man who single-handedly went seven times platinum with his band. No. Wait. As the man who brought back the attitude to Rock ‘n’ Roll. Does that sound OK? Wait. I know. As more than just a frontman—an icon, an almost holy character. Teka, that’s a bit mayabang no. As just a normal guy who got lucky. Wait that’s too boring naman.

Oh, wait. I know.

As simply me, Jacci Rocha, at your service.