Chickoy Pura

Chickoy Pura
Like a robust tree, formed to withstand the strongest of the quake and flood, the Pinoy Rock community is again going through a difficult time: another one of our long-standing musician is under the weather.
Chickoy Pura, one of the original members of The Jerks, who was considered to be the pioneer punk band in the Philippines in 1979, was diagnosed with Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. CTCL is a rare type of cancer that begins in white blood cells called T-cells.
These cells normally help the body’s germ-fighting immune system. CTCL develops abnormalities that make them attack the skin. “For those who are asking and worried about Chickoy’s condition, we’d like to thank everyone for the prayers and support leading up to his diagnosis.” , declared Monet Pura (Chickoy’s spouse and Manager) in her Facebook post last June 16, 2019. Immediately thereafter, a flood of pledge of support and prayers were offered to Chickoy’s aid. In a performance just a week before the diagnosis, he was seen to have a different aura coupled with a protuberant facial likeness. It was actually the effect of the steroids that help combat CTCL.
Chickoy is instrumental in the development of the genre Pinoy Rock for the past 40 years. His no frill guitar talent and penchant to experiment on new sound, have placed his name on the pedestal with the likes of Wally Gonzalez, Dondi Ledesma, Resty Fabunan, Gary Perez, and the like.
The Jerks were instrumental in many future bands that lookup to the band’s seminal members like, Flor Mendoza, Nitoy Adriano and Jun Lopito. The Jerks’ socio-political satire songs has produced classic tunes like “Reklamo Ng Reklamo” and the crowd favorite “Sayaw Sa Bubog”.
In 1988, another prominent band that he was part of was Lokal Brown. Touted as a ‘Superband’, Chickoy banded with Lolita Carbon & Sari Bañares of Asin, Ed Formoso, Pendong Aban, Binky Lampano, plus others. The group produced a hit song “This Is Not Amerika”.
Chickoy will need funding in keeping his body healthy against this rare type of blood cancer. Friends and families have put up a benefit gig aptly titled “Awit Para Kay Chickoy,” on Aug. 24, at ‘My Brother’s Mustache’, sponsored by Atty.Vinzon’s Family with performances from Lolita Carbon, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Noli Aurillo, Mon Espia, Noel Cabangon plus other artists. Tickets are pegged at P800 and P1,000. Let us unite to help a Pinoy Rock gem!