'90s nostalgia and south-side spin masters

MANILA, Philippines - We give you the buzzword of the moment: Nostalgia. Everyone has a reason to reminisce these days. We shiver by just hearing Brandy, Tamia and Ben Folds Five on the radio. We get goose bumps at the sight of our ‘90s matinee idols. We even revived teen drama Gimik on afternoon TV and attempted to relive the Jolina-loves-Marvin obsession on Twitter. And why do we have all these flashback Mondays and take-me-back Tuesdays at the nearest neighborhood nightspot? Why do we hear Britney Spears at B-Side and the Spice Girls at Il Ponticello? The answer is quite simple. No, we’re not getting old. No, 2010 isn’t a bore — far from it. But, simply, we are trying to define what the new decade is all about.

The ’90s and the 2000s, eras that happened 10 to 20 years ago, are the perfect victims. Today’s young adults are finding pleasure in reliving the recent decades and fusing them with today’s technology and newfound confidence. If you grew up during the time when Icon was still Wherelse?, Pravda was still on Reposo Street and Seveneight Orange was at its peak, then you would know what we’re talking about. More than 10 years ago, rave was all the rave in the Philippines and cult flick Groove was a legend. Everybody wanted a warehouse party. American DJ John Digweed became a hero of every teen-of-angst who wanted to deny pop music over the unpopular and the alternative. Cousins Illac Diaz and Robin Da Roza were the hosts, while Sambo’s and ABG’s were our nocturnal capitals. G Toengi was our party muse. Manolet Dario and Toti Dalmacion, on the other hand, were the masters of the turntable. More than 10 years ago, we danced to the beat of PVD (Paul van Dyk) and dreamed of giant raves in Manila. And then clubbing almost died.

Today, we see the rise of the DJ not only in Manila, but also in the Queen City of the South. And Cebu City’s DJs—like the revival masters that we are—bleed “old souls.” At the decade-old club Vudu, for instance, the DJs are essential part of Cebu institution’s evolution.

“The Philippine clubbing scene in terms of taste in music has a long way to go before we can call anything our own,” says Vudu resident DJs Marlon Orellano and Maxie Perez.

Resto-lounge Formo DJs Hans Congmon and Jude Flores, however, remind us of that ‘90s alternative spirit. “We are ready to go to the next level as long as we continue to give importance to the quality of music that we play and not go mainstream,” they share.

Our musical rewind brings us to the minds and souls of Cebu’s four spin masters:

MARLON ORELLANO

Home base: Vudu, Cebu

Spin sched: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

Spinning beginnings: My dad was a DJ, back in 1989. I was his assistant alongside my brother. I suppose you can say it’s in the blood.

Genre: I’m very versatile. I cater to all kinds of music. Music is my business. I play house, RnB, hiphop,Top 40 and mash ups.

Musical heroes: John Digweed. He plays progressive house and I can relate to his style.

If you were a city, which one would you be? I love Cebu. It’s my home. But if I were a city, I would say I’d be Manila, because it’s diverse like the music I play. 

Pop music guilty pleasure: None.

DJ essential: The role of the DJs has evolved through time. Now it’s all about what our audience wants. I always say that the majority wins and that is important to me; reading my crowd.

Most massive gig: I played alongside Kaskade when he first came to Cebu.

HANS CONGMON

Home base: Formo, Cebu

Spin sched: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

Spinning beginnings: My family has a background in music. I may not play a musical instrument, but the turntable and the mixers are my instruments. It’s a different outlet, but it also makes my audience dance. DJing is my way of expressing myself and I would like to thank my friends from the now defunct KISS FM for encouraging me to follow my passion.

Genre: My music is very cutting edge, I am not afraid to venture to new grounds and types of music. I also always try to find music that will fit Formo.

Musical heroes: I have so many. They change as I mature as a DJ. Right now, it’s Adam K., Max Graham and Michael Woods.

If you were a city, which one would you be? I would be Cebu. There is no place like home. I am very proud to be Cebuano. I can play my music here without any barriers.

Pop music guilty pleasure: Michael Jackson

DJ essential: Congmon: The level of energy and the music selection. I like reading the crowd and making sure their energy level escalates.

Most massive gig: I was a part of Cebu Urban Music Sessions held last January 2009 in Cebu City with the biggest International DJ line up to hit the country, playing side by side with Max Graham, Krafty Cuts and local DJs Mael Lavares and Marlon Orellano. Also, Im recognized for the famed annual Invierno* Winter white-themed party series dubbed as “the biggest of the year to end the year” now on its fourth year at Vudu, Cebu’s nightlife institution that has been running for nine years now.

MAXIE PEREZ

Home base: Vudu, Cebu

Spin sched: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

Spinning beginnings: I was discovered by JP Chiongbian and Johann Young. I was playing at a local joint and they asked me to play for The Abbey, the then ultra hip club that kicked off my career as a DJ.

Genre: I love soulful house, tech house and progressive trance.

Musical heroes: Wally Lopez and Riche Hawtin, minimal and tech house, their kind of style inspires me.

If you were a city, which one would you be? Cebu of course, because we have so much choices here and the crowd is just fantastic. They appreciate music.

Pop music guilty pleasure: None. Pop culture is interesting, but we don’t follow anyone in particular.

DJ essential: The crowd is very important to me. Their level of energy is what I feed on.

Most massive gig: I played with Mark Doyle when Fierce Angel came to Cebu for Sinulog.

JUDE FLORES

Home base: Formo, Cebu

Spin sched: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays

Spinning beginnings: I started when I was still in college, this place where we frequented had DJ equipment and my friends and I started playing with it. We would practice regularly and music has always been my passion. So from there, I guess things just fell into place.

Genre: My music is soulful. To me, house music is soulful. It expresses us humans in so many levels.

Musical heroes: Carl Cox.

If you were a city, which one would you be? Chicago, because that is where house music originated.

Pop music guilty pleasure: Lady Gaga

DJ essential: The type of music that I play is very important to me—the beat and the vibes. I want my audience to be happy and dance and feel like they had a great night when they go home.

Most massive gig: When I played at the famed DJ line up at the now defunct Club Fuel at what is now known as the IT Park and of course my residency at Formo.

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Watch out for our feature on Manila’s nocturnal capitals soon in YS!

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Comments? Violent reactions? E-mail me at acarlovelasco@gmail.com.