Pinoy Rock. A genre where Pinoy can relate and emulate their much revered musicians. But for Rhea Lipio, her music inclinations came in a paternal way. Early on, Rhea would be exposed to music. Growing up in Kalayaan Ave in QC. His father, the Detachment Commander of Luneta at that time, would turn on their stereophonic player and play FAITHFUL LOVE by Cezar Manalili almost always at 6am daily. “Asin, Banyuhay, Freddie Aguilar, Juan Dela Cruz, Boyfriends , Hotdogs , Sampaguita, etc... madami pinapatugtog si Papa”, marvels Rhea.
“Masarap sa tenga, hindi nakakasawa”, quips Rhea. That started it all. Pepe Smith, at that time, lives in Kamuning also in QC, and they would cross path many times. “Si Pyaps talaga ang impluwensya ko ever since”, adds Rhea. “May bar dun sa malapit sa amin name BARKO, dun ako nakakakita ng mga musikero, one time nakita ko si Pepe Smith sumigaw ako ROCK N ROLL, sumagot naman sya at sinabi ROCK N ROLL din”, muses Rhea.
When she entered college, she attended a Rock Fest that featured Pepe Smith and his band Kwadro. She was eventually recognized by Pepe Smith and their relationship as music enthusiast grew even further. Pepe Smith was getting his chops back from a series of misfortunes from drug charges being dropped and changing hand in Pepe's management at that time. And just like any ordinary teenager, Rhea has her share of ups and downs. Relationship woes, substance curiosity, peer pressure, name it, she went thru it. She even manage to land in jail for a misdemeanor over a lost money which she happen to own. “Oras lang naman, hahaha”, relays Rhea. Music rescued her from all of these. She started to attend concerts and club gigs.
It was in this, that she found her calling. She met Gary Perez of Sampaguita and Anak Bayan fame. At that time, ‘Gorio', as he is fondly called by his peers, needed the break on his lumping career. Rhea produced an album for him and concocted numerous gigs and book Gary Perez as a new package. Resty Fabunan of Maria Cafra is a close friend of Gary Perez. Rhea eventually organized a number of gigs and concerts for Resty Fabunan and Maria Cafra. Her being a member if PCR (Pinoy Classic Rock) has spurned many acquaintances from the roots of Pinoy Rock. And in 2012, she heard and witness Cezar Manalili play FAITHFUL LOVE live.
“Hindi lang naman gigs at concerts, pag may need din ng fundraising help din ako..lalo sa mga musikero”, confesses Rhea. Rolly Averilla’s son (drummer of Maria Cafra) had an accident a few years back, and Rhea organized at least 2 fund raising concert for Rolly's son. One in Junkyard in Cavite and one in Metrowalk Pasig. Another recent fund raising is for a friend Lai Enriquez which Rhea helped run the whole program. “Masarap tumulong sa kapwa, lalo pag walang kapalit. Dun mo maramdaman yun tunay na pagka kaibigan”, advises Rhea.
Her “PINOY ROCK SUMMIT” series had been going on for almost 2 years now. So far, Pinoy Rock Summit went to as far as Angeles, Pampanga and Bauang, La Union and has a roster of talents to boast of; MIKE HANOPOL, MARIA CAFRA, ARNEL DAYRIT & THE BOYS, DIABLONG BUANG BROTHERS. “There was a plan, before pa, para kay Pepe Smith, mga mid April 2019 sana kaya lang nawala na nga si Pepe. In that plan, we would include sana si WALLY GONZALEZ & MIKE HANOPOL, kaya lang now tribute na lang ang mangyayari”, declares Rhea. Now in its 3rd installment, Pinoy Rock Summit 3 will feature Wally Gonzalez as a tribute concert to Pepe Smith in Junkyard in Cavite.
“Kita? Wala sila alam”, answers Rhea when asked how much has she gain so far in organizing and producing these shows. “Passion ko ito pards, parang anak ko na din itong Pinoy Rock. Maliban sa 3 daughters ko itong Pinoy Rock ang baby ko”, attested Rhea. “We should give importance to the roots of Pinoy Rock artists, because without them wala ngayon yun mga banda na sikat, na alam natin lahat na impluwensya lahat ito ng PINOY ROCK!”.
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