Cruising with Vicky & the Holding Company

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a Filipino band that has become a fixture on Royal Caribbean cruises around the world, entertaining passengers of all ages as the group sails on in its 18th year with the popular luxury liner.

Vicky and the Holding Company is a four-piece combo led by bass guitarist and vocalist Chris Gallarde, his wife Vicky on vocals, Virgilio Bernal on keyboards and drummer Isaac Tolentino. The band performs eight months in a year on board Royal Caribbean’s various cruise ships. On a typical 11-day cruise, they’re on stage nine days, doing three 45-minute sets a day — a grueling routine but the Gallardes enjoy doing it because music is their passion and entertainment is their lifeblood.

“We love performing,” said Chris, 65. “We couldn’t ask for anything more. We’re doing what we love to do and at the same time, we’re seeing the world for free. We owe everything to God who answers all our prayers. We’re considered guests in each cruise with independent contracts. The secret to our longevity is we know how to read the crowd. We do music that passengers like to hear and dance to, not what we want them to hear or dance to. Our repertoire caters to everyone, no matter the age, no matter the nationality. We do country music, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s hits, Spanish songs, ballroom dancing, whatever. We rehearse long hours to make sure our act is always at a high level and we constantly review our set lists to stay in tune with the times.”

The Gallardes are based in Las Vegas where their son Glenn, 41, is a much-sought-after musician with performing credits at Mandalay Bay, Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, among others. Glenn has also performed with Jonathan Potenciano and the Music Magic in Las Vegas and as a guest artist in cruise ships.

Chris said the musical journey began in Dagupan in 1966 when Vicky Cayabyab reigned as Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s provincial champion for eight straight weeks. “I tried to dethrone her once but I couldn’t,” recalled Chris who traces his roots to Candon, Ilocos Sur and Bayambang, Pangasinan. “At the time, I was 18. I began singing with the Beat Jacks in Olongapo when I was 17. My father (Greg) was a violinist and teacher while my mother (Maria) sang in zarzuelas. So music is in our blood. When I was offered a contract to perform in Japan for a year in 1967, I asked Vicky to join. It took a lot of convincing before her parents agreed to allow her to travel with us.”

Vicky, the oldest of 13 children, knew she was musically-inclined as a young girl. She would watch Toots Gerzo and his orchestra perform in Dagupan fiestas for hours as a nine-year-old, dreaming of someday singing on stage, too. Her father Francisco was a fisherman and mother Gregoria, a housewife, so unlike the Gallardes, the Cayabyabs weren’t big on music. Vicky, who finished up to first year of college, was the exception.

Chris’ new band the Lancers performed in Japan for a year then in 1968, he brought the Beat Jacks to Vietnam, appearing as the front act of the USO tour featuring Bob Hope and Ann Margret. Meanwhile, Vicky started her own band, fronting the Genuines as a Janis Joplin-type rocker in Olongapo gigs. 

Chris and Vicky eventually developed a relationship that went beyond their love for music. They got married in 1970 and a year later, Glenn was born. In 1974, the Gallerdes were contracted by talent agent Jeff Reed to perform in the US. They assembled an eight-piece Filipino group and hit the road, performing in night clubs, inns, lounges, bars and theaters from Lake Tahoe to Atlantic City. Glenn stayed in the Philippines until he was brought to the US in 1977.

Chris and Vicky broke off with Reed after three years and became free agents. They reformed their group to play as the house band at the Hopkins Hotel in Minnesota and the stint lasted six years. Glenn, who grew up in Cahokia, Illinois, with relatives as boy, reconnected with his parents when they settled in Minnesota. 

In 1988, Glenn joined Ed McMahon’s Star Search contest, a precursor of American Idol, and finished a close second in the Hollywood finals on worldwide TV. Chris said Glenn’s godfather from Baguio, Robert Llamedo, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the 17 year old on TV performing on McMahon’s show.  In 1995, Glenn tried his luck in the Philippines and was introduced to media as a James Ingram sing-alike. Glenn, however, felt homesick after a month and decided to return to the US. A year later, the family relocated to Las Vegas where they bought a house.

“Glenn is very much in demand in Las Vegas as a solo performer or a session musician,” said Vicky. “He has quite a reputation in the music industry and when his schedule allows, he joins us to perform on cruises. Last year, he got married to Danielle, a beautiful girl who’s an only child like him. Glenn remains busy with his music commitments and projects.”

The Gallardes with drummer Isaac Tolentino performing country music, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s hits, Spanish songs, ballroom dancing, among others

As for Vicky and the Holding Company, retirement is far from imminent. “That’s farthest from our minds,” said Chris. “We’re enjoying what we’re doing and as long as we continue to entertain at a high level, we’ll keep on rocking. Traveling around the world is a wonderful experience. One of our favorite places is Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Every chance we get, we go home to the Philippines to visit family.”

Vicky and the Holding Company — a take-off from Big Brother and the Holding Company which was Joplin’s band — is hotter than ever. Tolentino and Bernal joined the group five years ago so the chemistry is evident when they belt out their tunes. A favorite in their set list is a ‘60s British Invasion medley where they sing the Kinks’ You Really Got Me, Los Bravos’ Black Is Black, Amen Corner’s Bend Me, Shape Me and the Searchers’ When You Walk In The Room. The band also has its version of Savor A Mi and Amor, Amor — even better than Spanish singers — and covers the Village People, Motown hits and New Generation numbers. A highlight of their set list is when they sing Dahil Sa ‘Yo.

A few years ago, Chris and Vicky produced a private pressing 12-track CD with Glenn featuring songs like Me and Bobby McGee, Piece of My Heart, Forever, This Love, Always and You Sang To Me.

“We’ve met a lot of celebrities in the course of our 18 years with Royal Caribbean,” said Chris. “Sen. Migz Zubiri, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Gloria Estefan, the Spinners and the Platters have enjoyed our music at sea. It’s always a thrill to bring smiles to our audience. That’s what keeps us going. We are thankful to Mr. Rob Waterfield of Miami for believing in us and keeping us with Royal Caribbean all these years.”