MY GIG IN BILIBID

yes. the new bilibid prison in muntinlupa city.

we were invited to play for ex-congresman jalosjos' birthday last wednesday. u think i'm crazy?

i am.

People know that I am this very adventurous person. Whatever’s weird, whenever it’s totally uncalled for and wherever it’s risky – you’ll find me there. That’s why I never had any second thoughts in doing this gig. Then I learned that my bandmates and another friend (who played as our manager, hehe) were just as adventurous. So last Wednesday at around 1pm my band, 3AM, head on to bilibid.

Upon parking, eloi briefed us not to bring cellphones and digicams. Just whatever we need for the gig and IDs. Before entering the bilbid community (yes, it does look just like a village inside), we were body searched twice. And I have never seen our guitars and k-hon searched by the inch! As we entered the gate that actually led us to the bilibid community itself, all eyes were on us. Four girls with two guitars and a k-hon. A number of them rushed to open their umbrellas and escort us to the place where the party was held. Man.. it was approximately a 200-meter walk. On a rocky road. At around 230pm. Inside the bilibid prison. For a time, I just wanted to laugh my heart out for doing such a thing, but then I realized that my escort must have gotten in there because he stabbed someone or raped his daughter or ate his victim’s brains.. So I behaved, like a queen. Reserved but at the same time, I was projecting that i had power. I had that “screw-with-me-and-I’ll-make-you-sorry-you-were-born” look. Haha. Tapang noh? Nasa bilibid pa ako nyan! Hehe..

In the venue, we played in front of the ex-congressman, his wife, mother, children, and other close family members. Nancy castilogne was there. If you ever heard the news about her break-up with paolo contis because of a politician’s son, well, it’s true. Mr. Jalosjos’ son and nancy are an item. I was wondering how Hubert webb looked like in person, but darn, he wasn’t there.

Bob Teehankee, was there though. And among the guests, he was the one we interacted with most. He was very cheerful and talkative. We would talk about the band, the schools we graduated from, and different diet programs. He even joined us in eating when we finished playing and everybody was gone. He offered us to taste his drink. A mixture of 7-up and fundador. Eloi tasted it. I was hesitant at first (I hate brandys!), but he insisted that I taste it. Do your research about his case. And you’ll know why I eventually said yes to him even though I really didn’t wanna drink. Hehe.

Generally, it was fun. Really. while eating, may taga-bugaw pa kame ng food. o diba. astig? hehe. when we were headed to the exit, that was the time when i felt not so awkward anymore. while walking, i noticed there were basketball and volleyball courts inside. a hospital. a chapel. a billiard hall even. tapos ganun din, this guy-escort-convict was insisting to help me with my guitar. shempre pumayag na din ako. hehe.

on our way home nga, i was like "shocks, nasa labas na ako. nakaka-sad. sa loob para akong diyosa." hehe..

And I guess you were wondering how much we were paid for playing for an hour in bilibid prison for ex-congressman Jalosjos’ birthday..?

Let me put it his way: the price was right.