Mike Hanopol

 

Mike Hanopol - “Pinoy Rock Is Alive & Well                 

  -Ronnie R. Reyes

“If Pinoy Rock is a religion, I would have been a priest.” -unknown

Like every legend, music has its roots too. Even for Pinoys! The Pinoy Rock scene evolved in the late 60's to the early 70's of groups with Tagalog-sounding names as opposed to the early to mid 60's foreign-sounding groups. Among those bands are; Asin, Hudas, Sampaguita, Banyuhay ni Heber, Anak Bayan, Abrakadabra and other notable groups.

Two bands emerged as pioneers in their own right, rock enthusiast and instrumentalist in the late 60's, that morphed into the 70's was formed; Juan Dela Cruz and Maria Cafra.

Unknown to many, The Juan Dela Cruz Band which we know today wasn't the original group that was conceived eons ago. Throughout the years, members changed hand and the trio of Wally Gonzalez, Joey 'Pepe' Smith & the group's singer-songwriter and conceptualizer Mike Hanopol is, however, the most popular, and the most successful.

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. As a solo artists after a short lull for the group, Mike Hanopol ventured writing and recording his own album, which catapulted him as one of the country's top Rock artists. His “LAKI SA LAYAW” created the Pinoy lingo “JEFROX” which up to now is being referred to as a Hippie Pinoy . On top of this, he also conceptualized and created the group “HAGIBIS”, which spurned many hits during that time. DID YOU KNOW THAT, Mike Hanopol played all the instruments on HAGIBIS' initial album and dubbed and overdubbed all the vocals as well?

But during Pinoy Rock's slumber during the 80's, Mike 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.

Sometime during the early 2000's, he was offered a job in the government, screening talents going to abroad. For sometime, he was responsible for approving talents being sent to other countries. For Mike Hanopol, Pinoy Rock is his religion. So much so, that, he explored the religious world of Judaism, and was ordained as a certified Rabbi. Who performs Jewish ceremonies and lead a congregation for the Jewish community. For the record, Mike Hanopol is the first & only Asian Rabbi in the world.

Mike at 72 y.o. Described this event as very peculiar. “At this point in time, this concert is a sort of welcoming the new blood in Pinoy Rock scene, and a hint of bidding goodbye for some of us.”  

In a rare treat last Feb.17, 2018 at DWIZ 882AM, the legendary Pinoy Rock Icon - Mike Hanopol - gave an all-out interview in Richard Merk's Radio Program “WORDS AND MUSIC”. Mr. Richard Merk, insinuated that, this Concert would be a series, “It will be initiated in Angeles City, Pampanga but for sure, there will be precedence after this. This will be a musical journey. This will be a series, pwedeng sa Baguio, pwede din sa Antipolo!” Mike, with all his jest and enthusiasm quips, “Pwede din sa Marawi!” Richard Merk, readily agrees with Mike Hanopol, “..that is one possible project, if we could only find the producers and organizers we will help raise funds for Marawi”.

Last March 16, 2018 -  a musical journey has embroiled for Mike Hanopol aptly titled PINOY ROCK SUMMIT 2018! A Mardi Gras of Pinoy Rock talents held at El Potro Bar in Balibago, Angeles City. It was a resounding success!

“When not doing projects, I read....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”. During the interview, Mike Hanopol belted out a new tune, which he says is part of an upcoming album in the works. After an accumulated 20 plus albums with which he worked with, Mike Hanopol still has his chops, so to speak. During the interview, Mike Hanopol answers every question with mysticism. “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.

The prophecy of Richard Merk came true. A 2nd leg of the Pinoy Rock Summit is now on its way. THE MARAND RESORT in Bauang, La Union is a haven for Pinoy & foreigners alike. Just 32 Kms away from Baguio, this will be the next venue of the PINOY ROCK SUMMIT legacy. Together with Mike Hanopol are two distinguished bands that are Icons, in their own right. They have re-joined the 2nd leg of the tour to liven up the concert anew!

The brainchild of this event, Pinoy Rock Impresario Rhea Lipio, declared in many occasions his passion for Pinoy Rock is unwavering and cannot be bought. Just like her three daughters, Pinoy Rock is his baby. One senior Pinoy Rock musician once told her that, there are very few, if not none at all, who still promotes Pinoy Rock to the masses. That is why, this project was conceived out of love for Pinoy Rock music. Together with Erick Dela Rosa, Peter Mendoza, Jean Condeza & Ronnie Reyes as Head Organizers, they have prepared a roster of talents that will knock the socks off our feet come June 01, 2018. This time in La Union!

The Inimitable Arnel Dayrit together with his boys, collectively known as ARNEL DAYRIT & THE BOYZ, is also a veteran group,having played in the Olongapo scene during his heyday and at present. For the past 30 years Arnel Dayrit's name isn't exclusive locally, but internationally as well. This seasoned veteran started playing at age of 18. He has entertained US Troops in Okinawa and other parts of Japan. Not to mention his performance in Europe, the Mediterranean, Brazil and Las Vegas. He lives in Miami, Florida-comes to the Philippines every 6 monthson vacation. He worked with Mike Hanopol in Fort Lauderdale in Mike's album Buhay America some years back. Wait til you hear Arnel's guitar scream in the ACDC's Classic All Night Long, and you will all see what i mean when i declare Bon Scott is alive in Erick Dela Rosa vocal prowess! I have witnessed countless of times Arnel Dayrit play the guitar– either in a gig or in his posh house in Angeles – and i tell you without batting an eyelash, he is very good. Superlative!  He wouldn't be considered Carlos Santana of the Philippines for nothing.

THE DIABLONG BUANG BROTHERS. A seasoned Rock band, who have made their rounds in known bars & establishments in and around the metro. Hearing them perform live, will make one realize that Pinoy Rock is a genre to reckon with. Bong Solis, their lead guitarist plays exquisite and passionately during their time to play.

Their monicker were borne out of their passion in watching one of the monologue used by Cavite's famous Actor-turned-Senator RAMON REVILLA, SR. in one of his movies, describing his feeling towards his nemesis, Diablong Buang – whenever he is mad!

Having perfomed with classic Pinoy Icons like Wally Gonzalez, Resty Fabunan of Maria Cafra, Gary Perez of Sampaguita, Heber Bartolme and Mike Hanopol of Juan Dela Cruz. This band has made the rounds in HANDLEBAR, ROADHOUSE, HECKLE AND JECKLE, JUNKYARD, SKIPPY'S, ROCK AND BLUES BAR, TANTHOMS, BROTHERS MOUSTACHE, 19 EAST BAR...to name a few.

Not to mention their out of town sorties like EL POTRO Bar in Angeles last March , and other places in Tagaytay, Cavite, etc. And for the nth time, they performed live in Luneta Park under the program CONCERT AT THE PARK  during last March's energy awareness drive EARTH HOUR.

This 4th generations community band from Imus, have an occult following not to mention their Cavite fan-base since their inception before the 2nd millennium. That is why they opted to keep the name no matter how strange and weird-sounding it may seem. What's in a name? People actually recall their band name, wherever they perform. Be it DB Brothers or THE DIABLONG BUANG BROTHERS. A patron at a bar, recently asked them if they were from the Visayas, pertaining to the name BUANG, which is 'crazy' in the Visayan dialect. For which Bong responded with a jest and a sheepish grin - “AY HINDI PO MAHILIG LANG PO KAMI MANUOD NG MOVIE NI RAMON REVILLA JR.-YAN KASE YUN MALIMIT NYA SINASABI SA KALABAN NYA.”

You will be part of history! So let's live history as it unfolds on June 01, 2018-Friday at Bauang, La Union!

Let's witness the SUPERBOWL of Pinoy Rock in PINOY ROCK SUMMIT 2 2018!