Hotdog: The Reunion
On May 16, the grand ballroom of the Dusit Thani Manila hotel will be filled with the delightful hits of the Hotdog band when the trailblazing Pinoy pop- rock group in the 1970s stages a one- night reunion concert.
Dennis Garcia, one of the founders of the band and who plays bass, said the rare event will bring together other members of the group, namely, Rene Garcia (lead guitarist/vocals), Jess Garcia on drums, and Gina Montes, Maso Diez, Joy Reyes, and Rita Saguin Trinidad, all former lead vocalists of Hotdog at various times.
They will be backed up by guest performers Joey Abando from The Boyfriends, and session musicians Benjie Santos, Carlo Gaa, Roy Marinduque, and Roy Sadicon.
Hotdog revolutionized Philippine musical landscape with what was dubbed as the "Manila sound." The songs were original Pilipino music distinguished for their catchy lyrics written by the Garcia brothers, Rene and Dennis, which mostly conveyed exuberance.
Music critic Baby A. Gil of the Philippine Star, said, " It was (Hotdog) who killed colonial mentality in pop music with (their) phenomenal 'Pers Lab' in 1974. Suddenly it was cool to talk Taglish and listen to a Pinoy band."
Hotdog songs were being played even in the enclaves of the elite where Filipino songs used to be looked down as "bakya (pedestrian)." Perhaps it helped that the Hotdog female soloists were from Catholic exclusive girls school.
One of their megahits,"Bongga ka, 'Day," an ode to fashionistas, cajoled people to let go and enjoy,"Bongga ka, 'Day/ Bongga ka, 'Day/ Sige lang, sige lang, itaas ang kilay/ Bongga ka, 'Day/Bongga ka, 'Day/Sige lang, sige lang, itaas ang kilay."
Their first album, "Hotdog: Unang Kagat," released in 1974 by Villar Records, became such a monster hit that it spawned a movie of the same title the following year. It starred the band alongside some of the biggest names in local cinema—Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, and Boots Anson Roa—in cameo roles.
Another hit that was turned into a movie starring Nora Aunor was "Annie Batungbakal" about a disco-loving salesgirl.
Journalist Sol Vanzi, who owned a boutique in Malate where the band sourced some of their "hippie" attires, observed that the period when the Hotdog's songs ruled the music scene was when anti-Vietnam war protests were winding down and the Philippines was under martial law. "The young people vented their energy through the vibrant music of the Hotdog rather than marched in the streets," Vanzi said.
Their song, "Manila," a tribute to the country's capital city, became the anthem of overseas Filipinos: Hinahanap-hanap kita, Manila/ Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga/ Mga jeepney mong nagliliparan/ Mga babae mong naggagandahan/ Take me back in your arms, Manila/ And promise me you'll never let go/Promise me you'll never let go."
Since the mid 1980s, the band's members have all pursued other endeavors, some of them based abroad.
They had their first reunion concert in 1988 at the Rizal Theater in Makati, before it was torn down.
Hotdog's first female soloist, Ella del Rosario, who gave the public hits like "Pers Lab" and "O Lumapit Ka" was supposed to have staged a series of homecoming concerts starting Dec. 14 last year but this was cancelled because she lost her voice two days before the start of the concert.
The unfortunate incident all the more encouraged Dennis to mount another Hotdog concert. "I felt the frustration of people who bought tickets (for the Ella del Rosario concert)," he said.
One of those whose Dec. 14 schedule was upset by the cancellation was former defense secretary and presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro who bought 20 tickets as he had planned to celebrate his wedding anniversary with friends in the concert.
Another compelling reason for the concert was Dennis's bandmate from his first band, "Red Fox," who was battling pancreatic cancer. "With my Hotdog bandmates and I sheepishly realizing that we had T.R.O. (time running out), I felt a reunion was the right thing to do," he said.
Dennis promises a treat for those coming to the concert. He said they will perform all their hits, including "Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko," "Pers Lab," "Panaginip," "Ikaw Pa Rin," "Langit Na Naman," "Careful, Careful," "Behh, Buti Nga" and many others.
They will also play the hits that Dennis wrote for other artists like "Sa Isip Ko," "Saan Ka Na Kaya Ngayon," "B.A.D.A.F. Forever," and "Ayayayyy, Boracay."
There were also good songs released but got overwhelmed by their numerous blockbusters: "Kung Aminin Kong May Asawa Na Ako," "Dying to Tell You," "When the One You Love Is Gone," "Kulang," and "Parang Robot." The audience will have the chance to rediscover them.
Tickets for the concert are available at the Dusit Thani Manila concierge, and through telephone numbers 886-6186, 0915-359-8228 and 0921-293-1784. Tickets are on first-come, first-served basis, and include dinner, drinks, and dancing all night.
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VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true."
