The Bloom Brothers bloom
MANILA, Philippines - Follow your bliss, pursue your heart’s desire, know what you love to do and go for it. Many of us hear and say this all the time, but few set out and actually do it. How many people whom we know are certain that deep inside they are artists, but are stuck in a cubicle in some office building doing paperwork? There are persons I’m acquainted with who are very successful businessmen, bankers, doctors, or lawyers, but when I talk to them, confessions about their true bliss pour out — like, “I’ve always wanted to be a painter, but my parents discouraged me from taking up art because there’s no money in it,” or “When I was little, my dream was to play guitar in a band, but I was told it’s not a real profession and that there’s no future in it, so I was forced to take up commerce like my father did, so I can take over the family business.”
It’s disappointing, but many live in this reality. However, the rock ‘n’ roll harmony band called The Bloom Brothers live a different truth. For them, it’s “Why not?” Indeed, why not have a life in art — in music — if that’s what truly lights up your heart and makes you feel alive?
Formed last January, this rapidly budding band may sound familiar to you because two of its guitarists, Pepe and JayJay Lozano, were front men of The Bloomfields. In fact, it was JayJay who founded and gave his former band its name after passing by Bloomfield Avenue in Cerritos, California. Now, they go by the name The Bloom Brothers after taking in their youngest brother JC (keyboards), Pepe’s long-time band mate and buddy Enrico Parulan (bass), and the energetic and upbeat Sandy Baliong (drums). The band plays songs that bridge generation gaps and unite friends and families: a set list composed of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Zombies, Dave Clark Five and the like. Their awe-inspiring vocal harmony not only makes them stand out among other current groups, but also acts as a thread that weaves people together.
The Bloom Brothers are natural musicians and artists, and it’s easy to tell they were born to do what they do. For instance, JC started learning how to sing and playing the keyboards early this year, but you would think he’s been in the music biz all his life. Middle brother JayJay is so prolific and spontaneous in his craft, he composes songs and makes musical arrangements nonstop. And if you ask him what he’s doing on a very rare day off, he’ll reply that he’s engaged in something musically creative. Eldest brother Pepe first picked up the guitar at age 10, and back then, he would go to bed and dream of complete musical and lyrical compositions, wake up and play them effortlessly the next day. As a kid, Sandy wanted so much to play the drums that he did so despite the absence of an actual drum set. At that time, he developed his own rhythms and beat combinations on a self-made drum kit from discarded containers, with his father’s trusty toolbox as his bass drum. Enrico has so much confidence in the arts that he pursued a fine arts degree while at college; he’s not just a talented bassist, but a skilled painter and graphic artist as well.
When I first met the boys last summer, the band was only a few months old and just starting to get on its feet. Now, whenever I attend a gig, it’s a struggle to get a parking space and even tougher to get a seat at an unoccupied table! Apart from their regular shows, which usually take up their whole week, they are much coveted for special event appearances as well. Their latest concerts were held in Macau and Brunei Darussalam. They were also part of the first Beatlefest in Manila last September.
Things continue to move into place for my friends, The Bloom Brothers. This brings to mind J.W. von Goethe’s saying that the moment a person dedicates himself or herself to his or her calling or purpose in life, then providence moves too. As long as your intentions are good and true, the universe will arrange itself in your favor and all means of assistance such as meeting the right people and even material aid will naturally find its way.
Whatever it is, whether it’s bringing people together through music, or painting, sculpture, architecture, design, music, film, theater, dance, literature, education, math, science, medicine, law, or sports — if you can dream it, you can do it. I never knew Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt van Rijn, Picasso, Mozart, Chopin or John Lennon — but I’m pretty sure they opened the gifts they were given by God. The Bloom Brothers have unwrapped theirs. What about you?
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For gig schedules and more information on The Bloom Brothers, you may go to www.thebloombrothersonline.com, or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. To learn more, give feedback or simply get in touch with the author, please visit www.katrinaanntan.ph.
