Progeny: Brothers bound by love for music

MANILA, Philippines - An offspring or a descendant is also similarly called progeny. So when ophthalmologist Gilbert de la Cruz from the Asian Hospital and his two sons — Patrick and David — found their common love for music, they decided to simply call the band Progeny.

Born four years ago after a simple jamming and singing session held in a house party, Progeny found its way slowly inching into the mainstream band scene. “A family friend suggested we sing together as a group,” Gilbert recalls. “Since she is an event organizer, we performed in her event in a bar in Makati.”

Gilbert’s sons, Patrick and David, play the guitar undoubtedly well, so their dad decided to form a real band. They enlisted a drummer and a keyboardist. Soon after, they were invited to front act for several bands in different music bars.

In February last year, jazz singer Richard Merk suggested that Progeny hold its first concert, although Gilbert initially declined knowing he and his brother were not yet ready for that. However, when the show pushed through, it turned out to be a huge success. The venue was jam-packed and that gave the group the strong encouragement to continue performing.

A few months back, Richard again suggested that Progeny stages a repeat of its concert last year. Hence, the title, Progeny: The Repeat. It will be held on June 19 at 19 East Bar, East Service Road, Sucat, Parañaque.

Progeny will be playing new wave songs from the ‘80s. Guests are Richard, Inner Voices (2015 Awit awardee as Best Performance by a New Group), Arianna Ocampo from The Voice Kids (first season) and Jaypee Romero, a promising talent from Cagayan de Oro.

“Since music is my passion, I really find the time to do gigs,” Gilbert asserts. “I enjoy performing and it acts as a stress reliever from my medical profession. Maybe my boys also got hooked into music because we all used to sing in the car while listening to the radio.”

Among the influences of Progeny are bands like The Beatles, The Cure, Van Halen, Dream Theater as well as such solo artists as Prince, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Hendrix.

Gilbert believes being musically inclined is also in their genes. “My mother used to be a radio singer during the ‘50s. Even up to now, she has a regular Tuesday singing group of seniors. My two uncles also played in different bands in Hong Kong and Japan during the ‘60s until the ‘80s.”

Gilbert’s eldest son, Patrick is a fourth year medical student at De La Salle Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite, a clear indication that the boy is following in his dad’s footsteps of being a medical practitioner. Patrick, however, is strongly inclined to become a plastic surgeon. He was a member of Kundirana during high school at La Salle Greenhills.  

David, meanwhile, is presently a second year student at DLSU-College of St. Benilde taking up Diplomatic Affairs. He has two other bands aside from Progeny.