Our Manila Thriller

I am still trying to process our whirlwind trip to the Philippines with Blue Zoo. Andy learned that Blue Zoo had been big in the eighties and the Filipinos could only get bootleg copies of their records. Love Moves in Strangeways was huge! 30 plus years later Andy had been chatting the promoter, Jesse Cambosa and it is all in place.

We were spoiled by Singapore airlines.......beautiful planes, great service, good food...which was just as well as the first leg of our flight was fourteen hours. Our second flight from Singapore to Manila got us to our destination almost 24 hours after we left the house but because of the eight hour time difference it was only early evening.

We we met in true celebrity style by Jesse and his crew....we were given Sampuegeta necklaces and escorted through the diplomatic channels at customs in to a convoy of cars with darkened windows and body guards. This was to be the mode of travel for the entire trip!!

Manila traffic was insane and we were notably captivated by the jeepneys ferrying the busy Filipinos through their lives......after a quick freshen up at the hotel we were hurried to a bayside restaurant to a sponsored dinner. We we sat at a long table with a variety of delicacies which included sheep brains, pigs knuckles, pony and baby duckling,  still in the egg......(don't ask). I considered myswlf lucky to manageda few mouthfuls of rice!!!!!  While Andy and the gang exhibited their manners by actually eating some of this 'food' there were Blue Zoo videos being played on a large screen....most surreal.

 

The second day gave us a late start which looked me some time to fill up on toast and coffee before we went to the Hard Rock for a look at the show venue and then have a series of  radio interviews and lunch. We spotted some nice shops and when we decided to have a look we again, had to go with a bodyguard....this stuff can go to your head pretty quickly with crowds of people staring!!

Protected in our armed cars I was astounded by the mass of traffic, cars, jeepneys, bikes, tuk tuks and people all jockeying for position and somehow managing to avoid accidents. It was an explosion of life. Small children coming up to stare in the cars, dogs walking along without a care in the world.....the harsh reality of life was right in our faces.

 

That evening was again down at the bay but in a more rustic restaurant which was a little scary. Lots of girls for sale and food which was completely unidentifiable..... I determined I would have to save myself for toast in the morning AGAIN.

 

This was followed by a visit the TV station for yet another interview which was followed by a swank Korean club. Similar to a Japanese Kareem's bar we were given bottles of vodka and Chivas Regal. I was having a lbast and pleased to see there was a nice  dancefloor until the lights went down and a series to scantily clad girls came out and did an erotic stint .......most uncomfortable!! I got completely hammered.

The next day again started slowly and was really about preparing for the evenings gig. Andy and I managed to go for a sight seeing drive through Manila to get a better feel for life and take some photos. The contrast between wealth and poverty was astounding! Of course, everytime we stopped to take a photo the bodyguard had to come too so after a while it became to tedious to continue....stardom is not all the it is cracked up to be but here is our contribution of snaps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once back a the Hard Rock the sound checks went well and again, Andy had to accommodate interviews. By evening everyone was ready to get the show done and it did not disappoint...best one to date. Quality of sound, performance and venue gave the band a stellar response and a mob at the meet and greet. Wow, Andy is a star!

 

The next day we we whisked away to the escort in the foot hills of Rizal and got a birds eye view of life on the outskirts of Manila. Lives conducted out of small concrete buildings and shacks, all on top of each other being shadowed by skinny cats and dogs anxious to get a quick snack.....cockerels......yet, everyone just got on with their life and I realized there are mo people in the world living like this that our way of life...lowing we have a roof ever our head, food, clothing.....yet, they are probably happier than many westerners obsessed with competition, accumulating wealth, their weight and overall appearance....yes, I am certainly guilty of that too.

 

 

The resort was lovely and surrounded by armed guards. The infinity pool looked over a perfect golf course and the bay....it also had a menu which made my heart leap with joy....chicken sandwiches, burgers....yeah!! The resort also had a casino where Blue Zoo were playing and several hours later they played on a raised stage to people hidden behind fruit machines, stressed black jack players and groups of fans that had traveled from miles away to see their idols. Very bizarre experience!
 

The gigs done we then had three days to enjoy the resort which was relatively quiet due to Chinese New Year.

Andy and I had lots of time by the pool and manged an outing to the nearby Antipollo which had the most beautiful church which attracted pilgrims from all over the Phillpines, We met a woman whose husband's health had deteriated under traditional medicine and he had turned to faith instead and was spending days praying in the church....very moving listening to her talk. The Filipino people are beautiful, kind and resilient. The energy and faith of the people could not fail to touch and Mickey, Andy and I lit a candle to those who were no longer with us,

 



 

And then in no time we were being dropped back off at the airport for the journey home. Another 24 hours later sitting in our living room wondering why there was no-one waiting on us hand and foot and wondering how I would go food shopping without an armed guard....ahh life......