Thursday, June 6, 2019

Pepe Smith Last Convo

A FINAL CONVO WITH THE KING
December 12, 2018, 1830

It was about August of this year, when everyone in the Pinoy Rock Scene heeded the call for the medical assistance of one Jose William Feliciano Smith, or Pepe Smith, which has to be attended to immediately. Like a wildfire in an arid dessert, word got out thru the social media, and the virtual hat, was passed on to suffice Pepe's need. Six months prior, he suffered a minor stroke which led to the postponement of the greatly touted PEPE SMITH ROCKFEST.
On a recent interview in his new home in Cainta, this writer asked him..."Nearly 60 years in music...jailed for almost 2 years, 2 strokes, a vehicular accident... being part of many great bands like SPEED,GLUE & SHINKI... JUAN DELA CRUZ..you fronted for the Beatles...many albums... drug problems before...how would you describe your life in one word?". Without batting an eyelash...Pepe quips with a smile, " ROCK N ROLL!".
His ever-present friend and Bassman Richard Esquejo, "SPANKY" to his friends, rolls in laughter when Pepe narrates, "Etong si Spanky ang maasahan ko sa lahat ng bagay..kami na ang bagong "KALABOG EN BOSYO", referring to Edmund Fortuno when they started Juan Dela Cruz, ..."i missed him so much...", laments Pepe. Just when he's about to get teary-eyed he blurted out, "ewan ko ba bakit hindi pa nabubuntis si Spanky, ang tagal ko na kasama ito."
Contrary to many, Pepe is perceived a very carefree, comical and lively person in front of his fans, his soft sides shows and manifests whenever he recalls what happened to the Pepe Smith Rockfest last June. "I am just glad that, there are still people out there who appreciates my music and my contribution to the music scene." Nearly teary-eyed, he shove a spoonful of steamed rice and paksiw na lechon and gulped it down with coke. I asked him if he is ok, "ROCK N ROLL!", he blurted out.
"Three days pa lang kami dito lumipat sa Cainta, i have to transfer near sa hospitals, malls, food stalls and my friends...yun dati kse ang layo..pag may gig ako hirap bumyahe.." Pepe apologizes as to his house is still in shambles. His awards, Gold Record, guitars, amplifiers, paintings are still strewn about in their sala. He plays PS4 as i asked him when i saw his console in his room upstairs, I thought it was Beebop's. "Naglalaro din ako..nakaka aliw eh.. i play with Beebop whenever he is around." adds Pepe.
His musical taste has not changed over the years. He still hopes a reunion concert with his old buddies MIKE HANOPOL and WALLY GONZALEZ materializes. He only have high praises for his music-comrade: Wally is exceptionally good guitar player.. bow ako sa kanya..Mike is a prolific writer.. and a respected Jewish guru.. i would not mind playing with them again." His view on musicians entering the political arena? "As long as they can do it, why not. Trip nila yan eh. Walang basagan ng trip" , quips Pepe.
The June 02,2018 Pepe Smith Rockfest still lingers as a great musical extravaganza sans the respect of the producers. "Nahihiya ako sa mga bandang nag participate... there was collusion on the part of the producers...i will not delve into the details alam na naman ng lahat yan..Diyos na bahala sa kanila...dito mo talaga malalaman kung sino totoo mo kaibigan..when you are down and out and broke... i have survived many hardships and trials..kaya alam ko na who are my true friends, and who only uses me”, adds Pepe. "Bilib ako sa mga bagong banda nowadays..ANG GAGALING!", exclaims Pepe. Sana ipagpatuloy nila yun Rock N Roll, hanggang next generation."
In the middle of the interview, Pepe's youngest came in and kissed him in the cheeks, "Hi dad", quips Beebop Smith. I asked Pepe how his career is going in the music industry, "I am discouraging him to be in the music industry, although Sanya and Queenie also ventured into music..madami kse hardships sa music, but, if i were to redo my life again..i would take the same path again.." He said he had no regrets in life.
His view on life is not that complex as many have perceived. His relationship with God is personal and has no frills. "May usapan na kami...na hwag muna Nya ako kunin..para ano pa na ka-birthday ko sya diba?". Yes, Pepe Smith was born on Christmas Day, December 25. He will be 71 this month (December 2018).
Piyaps, as fondly referred to by close friends, does not go to a wake. His close friend ‘Google’ one-time remembers the time when Dolphy (Rodolfo Quizon) died and his presence was requested, “He never goes to a wake, even his close buddies' wake; even Edmund Fortuno or Dondi Ledesma's wake- never. He wants to remember them as they live not when they are dead. Anyway, I prodded him to visit Mang Dolphy. And he did. That was the only time I remembered him going to a wake.”
Pepe Smith is a very comical person. There is never a dull moment with him. Even if the situation or the topic is boring, he makes it a point to cheer everybody up as if its his second nature.

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