Mike & Wally

…AND THEN THERE ARE TWO…
(Wally Gonzalez & Mike Hanopol speak their mind on Juan dela Cruz)
The date January 27, 2019 will forever be revered as the demise of the great Pepe Smith. Pyaps succumbed to heart failure and wandered forever in Rock n Roll heaven. Along with Pepe Smith's demise, was the mysticism every Pinoy Rock enthusiast thought, that, the Pinoy Music Rock will change.
“Actually even when Pepe was still alive may mga changes na sa Pinoy Rock, maybe because a lot of bands are now indie and no label although it’s a hard way to sell CD's with the genre of Original Pinoy Rock, some are still making records”, explains Wally.
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, recently lang 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?’ “, continues Wally.
Mike Hanopol would describe Pepe as a person with a good heart. And many would agree with him. “I would not mind playing with him again”, quips Mike
When the trio recorded the “Himig Natin” album, the first Pinoy Rock music was born. “We did not expect anything, 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”, finishes 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 gave sounded, “same din ng ‘Himig Natin' album”, finishes Wally.
“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 ako originally, si Wally everyone knows ever since gitara talaga ang hawak, eh di adjust ako sa base. Si Pepe nag drums nung bumuo si Edmond Fortuno ng AnakBayan, walang papalo eh. So ganun kami”, finishes Mike Hanopol.
Incidentally, Wally Gonzalez and Mike Hanopol would be together for a concert in Bauang, La Union as, they are, the special guest performer on the 8th year anniversary of Marand Resort and Spa on April 8,2019.
This would be the second time Marand will play host to Mike and the first for Wally. Pinoy Rock Summit 2 was staged in La Union last year with the help of Eng'r. Ariel Madayag GM of Marand Resort and Resort Manager Anthony Nacion.