JUAN DELA CRUZ BAND
Like every legend that is borne out of any rich culture, music has
its roots, especially for Pinoys! The Pinoy Rock scene evolved in the late 60's
to the early 70's of groups that exponentially grew to be legendary in stature.
One band that emerged as pioneer in their own right in the
late 60's and morphed into the 70's, was formed; “Juan Dela Cruz Band”. Unknown
to many, The Juan Dela Cruz Band which we know today, wasn't the original
lineup that was conceived in 1968. Throughout the years, members changed hand
and the trio of Wally Gonzalez, Joey 'Pepe' Smith & Mike Hanopol were
deemed the most successful and popular.
JOHN OF THE CROSS
The much talked about historical Manila Beatles Concert last July
04, 1966 was a milestone in the Philippine music scene for ‘The
Downbeats’ or for any band for that matter. “The Calvacade International was
our promoter at that time. Incidentally, they were the same group who promoted
the Beatles show in Manila”, remembers Tonet Fabie, bassist for The Downbeats.
Pepe Smith initially played drums and later was asked to relinquish the chore
to their Band Manager, so that he can concentrate on the vocals. When The Downbeats
toured HongKong, they recorded “You Gotta Tell Me”, which was composed and sang
by Pepe Smith. It topped the charts in Hongkong and enjoyed considerable
airtime. “When Tony Jalandoni and Charlie Meilieb left the band in mid of
1967, Wally Gonzalez and Mike Hanopol filled in as two guitar players”, recalls
Tonet. But it was short-lived. By early 1968 they left their management and
changed their name to ‘Mother Earth’. “The group were still intact; Pepe,
Wally, Mike and me, until our split in late 1968 and all the members went their
own ways; Wally worked in his brother’s office for a while and shortly
thereafter. He eventually formed Jungle Cats and later John Of The Cross
band; Mike went on to jump from one band to another like, Bulwarks, Chetniks,
Jives, Glenmores, Zero History (Mike played the keyboards while with Zero
History whose members also includes Pepe and Wally); and Pepe went to Japan and
formed Speed, Glue and Shinki”, remembers Tonet.
When Wally Gonzalez, Edmund Fortuno with Bing Labrador,
Alex Cruz (father of Ira Cruz) and others, formed a band called ‘JOHN OF THE
CROSS’, it was Mike Hanopol who suggested to Edmund Fortuno to
“Tagalized” the band’s name. Thus, the name JUAN DELA CRUZ BAND. One could
easily decipher their music, at that time to have been influenced by BIG
BROTHER HOLDING COMPANY and DEEP PURPLE. “But personally my main influences are
Eric Clapton, Moody Blues and Miles Davis.” adds Wally. Their initial album,
titled ‘UP IN ARMS’, may not be a commercial success (there were no official
re-issue of the album locally), but the critically accomplished album -
musically, that is- is a must for all Pinoy Rock lovers out there. The seminal
album runs only a little over 30 minutes. But those 30 minutes will take you
someplace else. The wailing guitar of Wally will be recognized nonchalantly. Of
the original JDLC and sessionist who were involved in the recording of this
seminal album only Sandy Tagarro, Clifford Ho, ,Rene Suqueco and himself are
still around.
Mike Hanopol, coming off from a series of successful stints
abroad, became part of the band in 1972 when most members ventured into other
project band like Edmond Forfuno who founded ‘ANAK BAYAN’. Being a guitarist
himself, Mike Hanopol was obliged to play bass guitar and pave way for Wally to
tend the electric guitar and Pepe Smith have to pound the skin in the drum kit.
That was the setup for some time. Mike Hanopol wrote most of Juan dela Cruz's
hypnotic and memorable tunes like, “Beep-Beep”, “Divisoria”, “Titser's Enemy #1”,
“Kagatan”, among others. They were considered the forerunners of a new genre
-Pinoy Rock. A new hope for all pinoys who love rock n roll with a local
flavor. And the “Himig Natin” song, which was penned by Pepe Smith, catapulted
their stardom to stratosphere, has been the ‘unofficial official’ Pinoy Rock
anthem across the archipelago.
JOSE WILLIAM FELICIANO SMITH
Pepe Smith was the entertainer’s entertainer. He hated conflicts
and controversies. That is why he never composed or sang any protest song in his
time. “I want to entertain people, yun mga protest songs sila na lang kumanta o
mag interpret”, says Pepe in an interview before. His family, especially his
lola, was all opposed to Pepe’s being involved in music. “My grandma always
scolds me and kept on telling my mom ‘Your son Joey is always getting into rock
n roll, ayaw mag aral’. That is why lucky are those folks whose family support
their passion in music”, says Pepe in an interview in Cavite. His signature
song “Rock N Roll Sa Mundo”, whenever he performs, is about him. His
stint in Vietnam as a teenage entertainer, has honed his skill in songwriting,
playing guitar and pounding the drum set. “The American GIs pushed my limit
into perfecting my craft”, remembers Pepe during an interview a few years
back. His lanky figure, has earned him the stereotype ‘rocker’ stature.
Rhea Lipio, rock impresario and friend of Pepe Smith remembers when she was
still a teenager in Kamuning “Pepe performs regularly in a bar near our place
and I would holler ‘ROCK N ROLL’, and Pepe would shout back the same with a
devil’s horn sign”. That is why, even though his speech and health deteriorated
during the last 2 years of his life, he makes it a point not to disappoint the
masses and continues to perform. A vehicular accident that permanently affected
his speech was more aggravated when he suffered two strokes two years apart.
People would often misinterpret Pepe for his comical and idiosyncratic way.
“You have to understand the man before you can draw any conclusion on his
persona”, says Spanky Esquejo – Pepe’s bassist and friend. His nearly
2-year incarceration in Manila City Jail during the 90’s did not help his image
either. Charged with drug possession, his friend, tv actor and
businessman Apa Ongpin helped him get out of the rut. But Pepe, did not rant
about it carried on with his passion. He came back with a vengeance via
commercial endorsement with a popular beer brand locally. He also released a
long overdue solo album with the help of guitarist par excellance Jun Lopito
and the late multi-instrumentalist Dondi Ledesma entitled IDIOSYNCRASIES last
2005. According to Pepe himself, the 11-track album was hurriedly produced,
recorded and released. His vision for the album did not materialized, thus is
short of calling it a disappointment on his part. But since it was his one and
only solo album, many consider it as a collector’s item.
Along the way, he had sired Queenie, Daisy, Delta, Sanya and
Beebop, who also got involved in music. “Papa is too trusting. Ang dali nya
magtiwala sa isang tao, kahit kakikilala lang nya. That became a disadvantage
for him with that infamous Rockfest last June 02, 2018”, laments Queenie - who
is now stationed overseas as a school principal. Beebop Smith lives in Cainta
with his mom. Delta Acuña Smith lives in Queensland. Daisy Smith-Owen was just
granted her Australian citizenship recently. And Sanya Smith, the famous VJ
from MYX Channel also lives in the Philppines.
MICHAEL ABARICO HANOPOL
As a solo artists after a short lull for Juan Dela Cruz, Mike
Hanopol ventured into writing and recording his own albums, which catapulted
him as one of the country's top recording artist. His “LAKI SA LAYAW”
institutionalized the Pinoy street lingo “JEFROX”, which up to now is being
referred to as a Hippie Pinoy . Now it can be revealed. At the height of the
popularity of ‘Laki Sa Layaw’, he was approached by a group of politicians to
convince him to run for a Senate seat. ‘Shoe-in’ was how it was described by
the politicians should he ran for office. But Mike has no taste in politics.
“Hayaan mo na sila dun”, was his comment. I jokingly referred to him, during
one of his provincial sorties, as ‘Senator Hanopol’. He just smiled.
On top of this, he also conceptualized and created the group “HAGIBIS”, which
spurned many hits during that time. But during Pinoy Rock's slumber during the
80's, this former seminarian and former Psychology student, relocated in the
U.S. in 1982. Mike further honed his skill in various instruments and music
discipline as well when he stayed there. Working as a musician also, in Florida
and New York, Mike succeed in spreading his music. Which incidentally is very
evident in one of his songs, “Buhay Amerika” - a song about a Pinoy's endeavor
living in a foreign land. He struggled to find his place in the land of Milk
& Honey, but his Pinoy roots prevailed. Going back home in 1993, Juan Dela
Cruz made a reunion concert and an album to boot. This was “KAHIT ANONG
MANGYARI” which spurned hits like “Divisoria”, “Titsers Enemi Number One”,
“Panahon” and a lot more. It was a landmark album. The album’s diversity was
not accidental. In an interview by his nephew Lourd De Veyra (Lourd’s mother
and Mike are siblings) Mike revealed that the mixed music sort was the band’s
attempt to capture all the genre the populace likes. Mike at his age (he
turned 73 year old just last April 10) is considered the patriarch of the Pinoy
Rock genre. “When not doing projects, I read a lot”, says Mike Hanopol. “Of
course, when there are calls for me to perform, why not, it's my first love.
Singing and playing guitar, that is”. After an accumulated 20 plus albums with
which he worked with, Mike Hanopol still has his chops, so to speak. Known for
his witty mysticism and uncanny euphemisms, and belabors before performing ,
Mike almost always has something to impart whether on stage or in huddle
munching his favorite Clover Chips, “Kung hindi mo alam, na wala kang alam, yan
ang indayog ng katangahan”, when asked if he hears negative criticisms on his
kind of music. “Everyone will get old, no exception. I don't react negatively
to them, I knew already it will come a long time ago. The music nowadays, lack
music itself. Only poetic expressions are aired, like Balagtasan, now they call
it rap.” “Concert-goers nowadays-the Millennials, as they call it-marami pa din
remnants ng colonial mentality, it cannot be avoided, most of these kids are
after the physical appearance rather than the music”, adds Mike.
WALTER R. GONZALEZ
When Wally Gonzalez conceptualized Juan Dela Cruz Band,
monetary remuneration was not in his mind nor popularity. “We just want to play
and record”, quips Wally. In fact, the 1973 album “Himig Natin” was
independently produced and funded by the band itself. Since studio recordings
charge exorbitant fees, they have to finish the 9-track album in two days. This
album produced classic songs like “Himig Natin”, “Mamasyal Sa Pilipinas” and
“Rock N Roll Sa Ulan”. They even did payola (which was pretty legal back then)
to DZRJ and have to buy ‘block time’ for an hour for two months. On those
unholy hours of 10pm to 11pm every Wednesday on DZRJ they play only Juan Dela
Cruz music. The gambit paid off and they were eventually noticed by Vicor Music
Corp. Their next album was “Maskara” which spurned hits like “Beep Beep” and
“Balong Malalim”. “Super Session” is another album of the group, sort of like a
live compilation and some unreleased songs to boot. This album produced songs
like “Langit”, “Sarap Ng Buhay” to name a few.
After the unofficial breakup of the group sometime in early
the 80’s, he busied himself for the next ten years in his shipping business.
Wally Gonzalez - often referred to as ‘The Quiet One’, mainly because of his
none manifestation of the flamboyant lifestyles other rockstar evidently shows
- released two solo album, one of which is “ON THE ROAD” which included
the Blues anthem and heavy favorite “WALLY’S BLUES”. In 1995 he founded “Wally
& Friends” which features top gun sessionists Dondi Ledesma, Wowie Posadas,
Joonie Centeno, and Armand Quimpo. He also created the “Wally Gonzalez
Bandwagon” which continues his love for the Blues genre. His most constant band
peer, Wowie Posadas - keyboard extraordinaire who has worked with countless
albums and gigs, Bea Lao – drummer of General Luna, an all female Rock band and
Louie Talan of Razorbback. Together, they complement and profess their
admiration to the Blues genre. Wally was under the weather a year ago, and have
to undergo surgery for this. “Ok na ako now, I have to be very careful with
what I eat and avoid stress at the same time”, the soft-spoken Wally claims.
When Pepe Smith succumbed to a heart attack last January 28, 2019, the
Philippine Rock populace and the Pop community mourned altogether. It does not
even matter from what walk of life you are from, it’s everybody’s losses. But
the legendary Pepe Smith lives on in our hearts. Wally refer to Pyaps as
‘kuya', was at his wake everyday until Pepe’s internment. “Masarap kasama si
Pyaps, either sa gig o kahit hangout lang, there is never a dull moment with
him, hindi pa din ako makapaniwala na wala na siya”, attested Wally. “Parang
andyan lang sya, one night nagparamdam si Pyaps…” muses Wally. “…bigla ba naman
tumunog yun handle ng guitar case ko, eh ako lang naman mag isa sa bahay, sabi
ko ‘Pyaps! Ano hinahanap mo?’ “, muses Wally. He describes Pepe as a person
with a good heart. It was Wally, with some friends, whom Pepe spend the last
night prior to latter’s heart attack on that fateful morning.
When the trio recorded the “Himig Natin” album, the first Pinoy
Rock music was born. “We did not expect anything, well siguro mga bata pa kami
that time, basta we just wanted to record, bahala kung magustuhan or hindi,
ganun lang, but you know nakakatuwa, a lot of musicians and composers came out
with their own version of Pinoy Rock music”, asserts Wally. It was two years
ago, when they played the last time together as Juan Dela Cruz. “May
usapan na kami ni Mike at Pepe, gagawa kami ng farewell album at farewell
concert…ehh nauna na bumyahe si Pyaps”, says Wally. Asked, how it might have
sounded, “same din ng ‘Himig Natin' album. Ang strength ng Juan dela Cruz ay
hindi kami nagsasapawan, walang pa-star. We adjust to equalize our strength as
musicians. For example; ako gitarista, si Mike gitara din ang hawak, nag adjust
si Mike sa bass. Si Pepe nag drums nung umalis at bumuo si Edmond Fortuno ng
AnakBayan, walang papalo eh. So ganun kami”, finishes Wally.
Almost all of the bands from the 80’s until the new
millennia, have rooted Juan Dela Cruz as an influence directly or indirectly. A
declaration as National Artists for Juan Dela Cruz is fitting, and
hopefully afoot. Salute to the forefathers!
