Before the pandemic settled in last 2020, two watering holes from neighboring Cavite cities in Imus and Bacoor (they share the same border) has been in existence and is home to some of the country’s premier recording artists and popular acts.
Veintidos Resto Barekan
Only Caviteños could understand each other whenever blues and rock tunes are brought up. A new hub and watering hole in the heart of the province of Cavite just took it a notch higher.
The proprietor of this establishment, Katherine Vinson explained
that, the idea was borne out of her being a one-time benefactor of the band
Groundstage PH. “The area where this is located is actually a rehearsal studio
for the band’, explains Katherine. Things did not pan out with the band and she
is stuck with the place full of musical instruments. Then, her business and
life partner, Jad Alipar, spark plugged the idea and one thing led to another.
Katherine, a known philanthropist and humanitarian in Cavite, admits that she
is not a Caviteña by birth. "My hometown is actually in Bacolod...but i
also lived in Taysan, Batangas...and also ILO-ILO. The resiliency and upfront
attitude of a Caviteña has grown into me and has adopted it ever since I moved
here a decade ago”, says Katherine. The place, located at the 2nd floor 9083B,
Gen. Tirona Highway, Dulong Bayan, Bacoor, Cavite, opened its door last Dec.18,
2019. With no less than ‘Grin Department’ who spearhead the opening of the said
place. Some of bands that performed in her bar are Anthony Romasanta with his
band Trankill, Katoliko Band, Kid, Papel, Kyah, Dwayne PH, Kemisthree. The
event was hosted by YouTube phenomenon ‘Batanguena’, Kimberly Dianne Vinson
Ilag, which happens to be Katherine’s daughter.
Of the countless number of bars and music hubs in and around Cavite, what makes
her place different? “First is the ambiance. Veintidos, will serve home cooked
meals (no less than Mike Hanopol savored her Kare-Kare one-time in one of the
occasions that they met) and then a few
of my own recipes which my family has been savoring as a matriarch. Second is
the hospitality, I can actually call it a ‘community bar’ due to its coziness
and accessibility to nearby villages within the area”, musters Katherine. The
150 plus-seater establishment boasts of its top of the line sound system and
mini stage for the guest performers. “Since the pandemic, we have suspended the
operation of the bar. Well, I have been through much more difficult situations
in my life before and having jitters in this new venture of mine is nothing
compared where I have been through”, opined Katherine. The bar was in
operational for almost five months only. And the name Veintidos (22) has
signifcant meaning in her personal life. 'Barek' in Batangas lingo means to
drink.
Brute. Brash. Brawny.
These words normally
describe your usual hole in the wall bar. But in Imus, Cavite The Junkyard Bar
is far more different than the casual bar.
Conceived as a community
bar last 2013 by Thor ilano and Leo Blanco, these true-blue Caviteños from
Imus, co-owners and partners, are burnt from their usual 9 to 5 jobs and had to
address their stress and at the same time manifest their love for Rock N Roll
music. "There isn't any establishment in Cavite that showcases the concept
of a Bar to our taste of music and ambiance, so we tailor-made one right in the
heart of our neighborhood", addresses Thor. The new location in Nueno Ave.
in Imus, is conceived to cater for special occasions, like parties, anniversaries,
and the like. Thor explains the bar is not the usual, open every night bar.
Jeric Aquino of Madfish fame from the 90's christened the bar "The
Junkyard".
"If companies,
organizations, groups would want to utilize Junkyard for their private parties,
fundraising event, or just plain enjoy the night with friends with good music
and food, THE JUNKYARD ROCK & BLUES BAR is the place for you." added
Leo Blanco,the other half of Junkyard's owner-operator.
The place is cozy. Don't
take my word for it, you have to be there to complete the experience. Being
there is like relaxing in your own house. The Junkyard's 200-seater bar have
friendly staff, the food is warm and delicious, the ambiance is cool. The bar
is adorned with display of 70's to 80's memorabilia sprawled neatly overhead.
Like VHS tapes, old guitars, a trombone, vinyl records, cassette tapes, an army
uniform...i mean really old stuff.. things you could only see in Google and not
see in our everyday grind. "Safe dito mga pare, secure ang place at walang
hassle", declares Thor. I wasn't sure what that meant, when this writer,
after visiting one time, left a Levi"s Trucker Jacket in the bar's comfort
room. Thinking it was gone forever, i messaged Thor about it and half-assured
that someone must have found it. Later that day, my jacket was delivered to my
workplace courtesy of Thor. That's how safe The Junkyard is.
The Junkyard Rock and
Blues Bar play hosts to a number of recording artists in the music scene; Resty
Fabunan and Maria Cafra, Dong Abay, Gary Perez, Jograd deka Torre, Heber
Bartolome and Banyuhay, Wally Gonzalez, Maegan Aguilar, Razorback, The Youth,
Slapshock, Green Dept, The Chongkeys, just to name a few.
Last Dec.21, 2019-Pepe
Smith and Mike Hanopol graced the bar anew via FAMILIA MUSIKEROS CHRISTMAS
PARTY JAM. A slew of seasoned and new bands were featured that night. Well, this
ultimately, marked the last known performance of Pepe Smith, for the following
month, he succumbed to a heart attack and never recovered.
Unfortunately, these two
establishments are still non-operational since April 2020 due to the pandemic
caused by COVID19. Nowadays, live performance via Facebook live is the one
being used by some artist to reach out to their listeners. We are still
anticipating theses bars’ resurgence and visit the same when the pandemic is
over.
